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Crazy Chameleon Body Jewelry StandardsWe sell only the BEST body jewelry from the largest body jewelry manufacturers or manufacturers that meet the highest in quality standards. You may never find .99 cent body jewelry here. But you will find some of the most remarkable brand name body jewelry for less than retail. We sell thousands of pieces of jewelry every month, and we can pass our savings on to you. The main content of our catalogs are from:LeRoi Body JewelryIndustrial Strength Body JewelryWildcat & TombstoneASTM & ISOBODY JEWELRY METAL/MATERIAL INFORMATION
A Letter from LeRoi:In keeping with our reputation of manufacturing and selling the highest quality body jewelry in the world, we now include an additional system of checks and balances in our protocol: Dual Certification. This system will give our customers confidence in knowing that our jewelry is manufactured from the highest quality materials, based on 2 pieces of information: a mill specification sheet, which meets ASTM and ISO standards; and an ISO-accredited independent testing lab report. Our material (whenever applicable to an ASTM or ISO standard) is tested to confirm chemical composition and accuracy of mill sheet specifications. This dual certification process helps our material suppliers maintain their quality as well.
LeRoi glass jewelry from borosilicate Pyrex glass. This type of glass has proven itself in the body jewelry industry as a biocompatible material. It is durable and resistant to heat and chemicals. Our glass jewelry is made by hand, and the designs are consistent, smooth and free from air bubbles or porosity. ASTM & ISOFirst, let’s start with a brief explanation of what ASTM & ISO mean. ASTM stands for: American Society of Testing and Materials. ISO stands for: International Organization of Standardization. Because the acronym ISO would be different in different languages, it was decided to use a word derived from the Greek word: isos, meaning equal. That way the abbreviation would always remain consistent. The ASTM & ISO are standardization organization. They are made up of representatives from government, academia and the private sector. They develop a framework of procedures, specifications and criteria to be applied to materials, the manufacture of products and the testing and analysis of those materials & products. These organizations exist to benefit society as a whole and to promote health and safety. In short, they create and develop standards. For further information on these organizations, visit there websites: ASTM: www.astm.org ISO: www.iso.ch BODY JEWELRY METAL/MATERIAL INFORMATIONSurgical Stainless SteelType 316L(VM) ASTM: F-138 • ISO: 5832-1
The ASTM & ISO have a standard for wrought stainless steel used for surgical implants. It is called ASTM F-138. The ISO specification 5832-1 is included in this spec. All of our stainless steel body jewelry from this implant grade steel. The material composition covered by this specification has been employed successfully in human implant applications in contact with soft tissue and bone for over a decade. The number 316 stands for the type of stainless steel; it's basically a formula for the mixture of elements that make up this alloy. The L stands for a low carbon content. Notice the (VM) in parentheses. It stands for Vacuum Melting. It is not a part of the ASTM F-138 specification, but we request it as an additional measure of purity in the metal. We'll discuss VM in a moment.
The reason ASTM F-138 is considered biocompatible is that all these elements combined work together to create a stable, cohesive, durable alloy that resists corrosion. The elements must be in the proper balance and ratio to each other. Included in the chemical composition is something called Pitting Resistance Equivalent or PRE. It comes from the ISO criterion 5832-1. It implies that % Cr + 3.3 x % Mo > 26. In simple terms it says that the Chromium and Molybdenum specifically shall be in the correct balance in relation to each other. The PRE helps the metal resist corrosion. This is important because a lack of pitting resistance can lead to cytotoxic elements being released into the body, potentially causing adverse reactions. The Pitting Resistance Equivalent does two things: 1. It guards against internal corrosion that can happen within the metals' structure, and 2. It protects the metal from external corrosion that can happen on the surface at the site of a pit or scratch. Cytotoxic Elements & Surface FinishThere has been considerable discussion in the body piercing industry regarding nickel causing allergic reactions in some people. This is true. However, previous investigation has shown that Cobalt (Co), Chromium (Cr) & Molybdenum (Mo) are cytotoxic elements as well and may produce allergic skin disease. Although Cobalt is not part of the 316LVM alloy, poorly finished jewelry can have trace amounts of tooling made from Cobalt and other cytotoxic elements from tools lodged into the surface of the metal. These elements can then be released into the body, potentially causing adverse reactions. This is one reason why a critical surface finish is extremely important- to remove these harmful elements. The other reason is that when surgical steel is properly finished it has a protective oxide film on the surface, known as the chromium oxide layer. This is what keeps the body from leaching cytotoxic metallic ions from the metal. If this oxide film is compromised by linear irregularities, like pits or scratches, localized corrosion can take place and the material can release significant amounts of metal ions into the body, adversely affecting biocompatibility. Surface roughness may also encourage the adhesion of bacteria, which could be responsible for some adverse reactions, such as infections and contact dermatitis. A high quality surface finish, free from surface irregularities cannot be emphasized enough. Vacuum Melting (VM)
Vacuum melting means that the metal has been melted or alloyed in a vacuum, thereby limiting outside contaminants and reducing inclusions within the metal. This makes the metal more pure. VM is not part of the ASTM F-138 specification, and is not required for 316L to pass implant standards. Because of the additional purity it gives the metal, we request it (whenever available) from our mill. Additionally, there is not a lab test that can be performed to determine whether or not a metal has been vacuum melted. A lab can look at the micro-structure of the metal and look for fewer inclusions, but less inclusions does not necessarily mean that it has been vacuum melted, There is no definitive, ASTM method to test for vacuum melting.
SummaryAs you can see, there are a number of factors that contribute to 316L Surgical Steels' implantability. We can summarize the previous information by listing the following: • It must meet ASTM & ISO standards. • All elements within the alloy work together and must be in proper balance. • The Pitting Resistance Equivalent (PRE) helps the metal resist corrosion. • High quality surface finish protects the body from cytotoxic elements. • Vacuum Melting (VM), although not required by ASTM, can be used as an additional method for achieving purity. TitaniumType: 6A1-4V-EH Titanium (extra low interstitial) ASTM: F-136Titanium- Atomic #22 is the ninth most abundant element in the earth's crust, It is a lustrous white metal that has unique characteristics: strength, corrosion resistance, biocompatibility, and it is lightweight, weighing 45% less than steel. Titanium is present in the minerals ilmenite, rutile and sphene as well as in titivates and other iron ores. It is also present in coal, plants, the human body, meteorites and the sun. The primary industry of titanium is aerospace, but because of its diverse properties, it has applications in the dental, medical, and Jewelry fields as well. It commands a higher price than most industrial metals due to difficult mining & extraction processes. Pure Titanium is considered biocompatible, but we use an alloyed form called 6Al-4V-Eli, as the addition of Aluminum (Al) and Vanadium (V) give it a desirable machinability and strength. This alloyed form is recognized by the ASTM standard F-136, as a bio-implantable alloy. The material composition covered by the specification has been employed successfully in human implant applications in contact with soft tissue and bone for over a decade. Titanium can be polished to a high luster resembling that of Surgical Stainless Steel. It can also be colored by a process called anodization. Anodizing is a process whereby an electrical current is passed through the metal. Oxides build on the surface of the metal, and as light is refracted through this film, a wide spectrum of vivid metallic colors are seen. The color black can be obtained by a unique process called Physical Vapor Deposition (P.V.D) Cytotoxic Elements & Surface FinishTitanium 6A1-4V-EII ASTM: F-136 is considered implant quality. However, the same strict requirements for proper surface finish of implantable metals apply to Titanium. It shall be free from surface irregularities, pits and scratches, thereby further reducing chances for adverse reactions. NiobiumDiscovered in 1801 by scientist Charles Hatchett, this element was originally named columbium. The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) officially adopted the name Niobium in 1949. Niobium is a pure element- atomic #41. It is present in nature in the minerals columbite and tantalite, together with tantalum. Extensive niobium resources are found in Canada, Brazil, Nigeria, Zaire and Russia, however due to the difficult extraction process, it is one of the more expensive exotic metals. Niobium has a melting point of 2468°C (4474°F), and is highly corrosion-resistant. Because of these properties, it can be alloyed with other metals and is used in creating some super-alloys. Niobium has many applications, in such things as jet engine components, cutting tools and heat resistant combustion equipment (ex. stainless steel exhaust systems). Recently it has gained popularity in the body jewelry industry because of its proven biocompatibility, its ability to be shaped & formed easily and the ability to be anodized & heated, thereby creating vivid decorative colors on the surface, including black.
Cytotoxic Elements & Surface FinishNiobium is a pure element and considered biocompatible, but like other implantable metals, proper surface finish cannot be emphasized enough. The surface shall be free from linear irregularities, eliminating pits, scratches, and trace elements of cytotoxic elements, thus minimizing chances of adverse biological reactions. At this time there is not an ASTM or ISO standard for Niobium as an implant material. GoldPure gold is found in nature in quartz veins and alluvial or sedimentary deposits as a free metal or in a combined state. Its color is bright yellow and it has a high luster. Gold is rare, being the 75th in order of abundance of the elements found in the earth's crust. The most malleable and ductile of all the metals, one ounce could be drawn into a wire 62 miles long! It is unaffected by air, heat, moisture and most solvents. Pure gold is completely biocompatible. Gold has been highly valued for thousands of years because of its appearance and unique properties. It is still used as currency, and the coin and Jewelry industry use approximately 60% of the gold supplied annually to world markets. Because of its softness, gold is alloyed with other elements to increase durability and wear resistance. The alloy is called a karat. We sell only legally recognized karats of gold (14K & 18K) in all of our precious metal jewelry. 14 karat gold is 58% pure gold and 18 karat is 75% pure gold. We use palladium as a substitute for nickel in our white gold to eliminate any possible adverse reactions to nickel.
Cytotoxic Elements & Surface FinishThere is not an ASTM or ISO standard for gold, but like the other Implantable metals, proper surface finish is of vital importance. The surface shall be free from linear irregularities, eliminating pits, scratches and traces of cytotoxic elements, thus minimizing chances of adverse biological reactions. All gold is hand polished to the highest possible shine. Acrylic(Polymethylmethacrylate) PMMAPMMA's are also known by other industry trade names such as: Plexiglass™, Lucite™ and the generic name Acrylic. These plastics or vinyl polymers are durable and scratch resistant with excellent optical clarity, transmitting light even better than glass. PMMA has applications in a number of different industries, including dental and medical. For the past 20 years the medical field has been using an injected form of PMMA cement to help restore some of the mechanical properties of damaged vertebrae. The body piercing industry has found ornamental and decorative uses for acrylics because of their lightweight, unique appearance and biocompatibility. Our acrylics come in a wide assortment of highly polished colors and styles. GlassGlass is found in nature as the volcanic material obsidian and as tektites. Tektites are small dark-colored glass objects formed by possible meteoric impact. The basic ingredient of glass is silica, which is derived from sand, flint or quartz. It is neither a solid nor a liquid, but exists in a vitreous state in which the molecules are in disorder, but have sufficient cohesion to remain rigid. Glass has been used for thousands of years in decorative and ornamental objects, including jewelry. Recently, the medical industry has been developing new types of bio-active glass for the filling of bone defects and for bone grafting. Physical Vapor Deposition (P.V.D.)
Exciting new protective coatings are emerging in the industrial, dental and medical marketplace. These coatings: Diamond Like Carbon (DLC), Nitrides, Borides, and Oxides are vaporized, ionically charged, and then applied in a vacuum chamber to the surface of the material being coated. This creates a molecular mechanical bond between the component and the coating. The P.V.D. coatings' strong adhesion and dense microstructure prevent flaking and cracking; prolonging the life of the substrate (the part being coated). P.V.D. coatings exhibit excellent wear and corrosion resistance, high hardness and reduced friction. In salt spray tests, zirconium nitride even improved the corrosion resistance of stainless steel. The medical applications of P.V.D. include surgical instruments, dental tools and orthopedic prosthesis. A variety of P.V.D. coatings have been certified to be biocompatible, including Titanium Nitride (TIN), Zirconium Nitride (ZrN), Chromium Nitride (CrN), Titanium Aluminum Nitride (T1A1N), Aluminum Titanium Nitride (A1T1N), amorphous Diamond Like Carbon (DLC), and tetrahedral amorphous carbon. Medical applications aside, an additional feature of P.V.D., as it applies to body jewelry, is the ability to produce stunning "space-age" looking metallic colours on the surface. Our Manufactures use the most sophisticated and advanced laboratory in the USA to apply P.V.D. coatings to our titanium jewelry.
* LeRoi Biocompatibility tests were conducted in accordance with ISO 10993-1 guidelines. The results indicate that these coating are acceptable for internal and external medical devices that come in contact with bone, skin, tissue and blood.
A Letter From Wildcat and Tombstone:It's time we clarify some misunderstandings about surgical steel. For years people in this industry have thrown around numbers that categorize or define types of surgical steel. But not many know what this is all about. So let's make this as simple as we can. Based on their composition and levels of chromium, nickel and manganese, surgical steel is broken down into four categories. 200, 300, 400 and 500 series. The most corrosion resistant are found in the 300 series steels which contain chromium and nickel. Hence their popularity for medical implants and body jewelry. However all 300 series steels are not applicable for invasive body piercing applications. Some body jewelry companies assure the public that all their steel jewelry is made strictly of 316 surgical steel. The amount of nickel salts released to the body from this grade of steel is unacceptable. Tombstone's Wildcat
Collection uses three steels for body jewelry. Composition "D" Implantation
steel, 316L and 316LVM. Although these high grade
316LVM F-138 implant grade stainless steel 6AL4V ELI F-136 implant grade titanium 18K and 14k solid gold FDA approved acrylic Pyrex Natural Organics
A Letter from Industrial StrengthIndustrial Strength® was established in 1991 by J.D. Lorenz, and began as a small one-man operation in his bedroom. Through perseverance and a strict standard of quality, Industrial Strength® has become one of the leading manufacturers of internationally recognized professional body jewelry. We are continually working to improve our jewelry and expand our product line to fulfill the needs of our customers. We use only the finest materials available for our jewelry: 316LVM F-138 implant grade stainless steel 6AL4V ELI F-136 implant grade titanium 18K and 14k solid gold FDA approved acrylic Pyrex Our jewelry is internally threaded for comfort during insertion and has counter bored ends for a precision fit. Each of our captive and fixed bead rings is annealed for easy bending, and all of our jewelry is hand polished to a mirror finish. Each piece is also hand assembled and inspected for each individual order. All of our jewelry is manufactured in house and in the USA. |
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