Titanium metal is strong, light and hypoallergenic, making it an ideal material choice for earrings and other jewelry, particularly for those with sensitive skin. With a quick polish, titanium can easily be a stylish and strong contender with pricier metals like platinum. Take the Eliana and Eli Hypoallergenic Titanium, 14-Karat Gold, Stainless Steel Stud Earrings, for example. These hypoallergenic titanium earrings come in more than two dozen different colors and styles at an affordable price.

Titanium stud earrings are often used for piercings because they’re light, unlikely to pull or snag on clothing, and comfortable to sleep in as you heal. When you first pierce your ears or any other part of your body, it will be painful, red and swollen for a few days. This is totally normal and should dissipate after a week or so unless you have sensitivities and get an infection. That said, titanium is hypoallergenic and highly compatible as a piercing metal, as your body won’t typically react to it the way it might with other metals like nickel, a common allergen.

Titanium is hypoallergenic, which makes it a great jewelry material for anyone with skin sensitivities or metal allergies. Certain metals, like nickel and cobalt, are more prone to causing swelling, redness, rashes or infections, whereas titanium is a pure metal that won’t do this.

An incredibly durable metal, titanium is about half the weight of steel yet equally strong, making it a great choice if you’re looking for earrings that will last for many years to come.

From hoops to studs, you’ll find a wide range of versatile designs when it comes to titanium earrings. This timeless metal is used in beautiful pieces for a wide range of occasions to meet any style preference.

Titanium that’s certified for medical use, including piercings, meets the quality and safety standards of the International Society for Testing and Materials Standard or the International Standards Organization (ISO). This means their grade is designated as one of the following:

When you see Grade 23 titanium, you’ll know it contains zero nickel or cobalt and is considered hypoallergenic. Keep in mind that ASTM F-136 titanium earrings will cost more than others since they undergo a most costly production process.

You can find a wide range of colors in anodized titanium earrings. This type of material goes through an electrolytic finishing process that creates variations in titanium color. Though it’s typically made from Grade 5 rather than Grade 23 titanium, the anodized version doesn’t contain nickel and is still safe for sensitive skin.

The gauge refers to how thick an earring’s post or barbell is, or the part that goes through your ear. The thinner this is, the higher the gauge number. The standard for ear piercings is 20 gauge, which is the size of the needle used, too. Upper cartilage, for example, can be done with a thicker 18- or 16-gauge needle. You’ll need to know the gauge of the needle used for your piercing to determine the gauge of the earrings you’ll buy. The earring post should fit tight and not move around easily in the pierced hole.

You can expect to spend about $15-$30 or more for a pair of titanium earrings, depending on their grade, with implant-grade titanium costing the most.

A. Titanium is a durable yet light metal, which makes earrings made with it comfortable and long-lasting.

A. Yes. Medical-grade titanium has no lead, nickel or cobalt and is hypoallergenic. This type of titanium is best for anyone with sensitive skin. Look for Grade 23 titanium or earrings marked with ASTM F-136, ISO 5832-3 or ASTM F-67.

Eliana and Eli Hypoallergenic Titanium, 14-Karat Gold, Stainless Steel Stud Earrings: available at Amazon

Our take: These hypoallergenic earrings have tight-fitting backs for a secure hold and feature simple, versatile designs in 28 colors and styles.

What we like: The medical-grade, ultra-thin piercing posts feature finely honed tips and a safety clutch that blocks the sharp tip so the earring isn't squeezed too tight.

What we dislike: Some wearers reacted to this pair of earrings, so if you have exceptionally sensitive skin, you might need something in a higher titanium grade.

PAVOI 14-Karat Gold-Plated Cuff Earrings Huggie Stud: available at Amazon

Our take: For a versatile titanium earring that can be dressed up or down, these titanium hoops, at just under half an inch in diameter, are gold-plated in 14 karats for a long-lasting finish.

What we like: All materials are hypoallergenic and free of lead and nickel.

What we dislike: It might be tricky to take this pair on and off.

MDFUN 316L Surgical Steel Men's Earring Flat-Back Screw Stud Earrings: available at Amazon

Our take: These hypoallergenic screw flat-back titanium studs are comfortable and come in five different colors to match your style any day of the week.

What we like: These earrings are simple yet stylish for anyone and everyone. They can be used as piercing studs, or cartilage or helix earrings.

What we dislike: Some people found these earrings tough to handle because of their small size.

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Emma Caplan is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

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