Jewelry & placement — studio reel
Implant-grade jewelry and anatomical placement.
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Why I Only Use Implant-Grade Titanium
Fresh piercings deserve metal that will not fight your body. I start nearly every piercing in ASTM F136 implant-grade titanium — not because it is trendy, but because it is what I would put in my own ear.
— Katelyn Cole, master piercer, Work of Art Las Vegas
What implant-grade means
- ASTM F136 titanium is tested for long-term wear in the body — the same standard used in medical implants.
- It is hypoallergenic for most clients — no nickel bleed like cheap fashion jewelry.
- It is lightweight — important for cartilage that already heals slowly.
What I will not use on day one
- Mystery 'surgical steel' from online retailers with no mill certificates.
- Gold-plated fashion studs — the plating flakes inside an open wound.
- Butterfly backs on fresh cartilage — see my butterfly back guide.
Katelyn's recommendation
- Start with implant-grade titanium and keep upgrades titanium-based when you are ready.
- Keep every starter piece on file at the studio so downsizing is a swap, not a guess.
FAQ
Is surgical steel the same as titanium? No — 316L steel is fine for many healed piercings, but titanium is my first choice for fresh work and sensitive skin.
Related topics
Real heal documentation
Real ear piercing work from our studio — not stock photos. Starter length, swelling room, downsizing, and healed angles documented in Vegas.
Placement and angle marked for your anatomy — implant-grade starter jewelry sized for swelling.
Fresh cartilage or lobe — implant-grade studs with extra post length for swelling.
Around 6–8 weeks swelling drops — this is when downsizing protects the angle and prevents bumps.
Downsize to a shorter post or swap ends once the fistula is stable — booked as a check-in, not a mall kiosk.
Flat and conch starters sit long on purpose — shortening too soon causes embedding and bumps.
Photos from Work of Art clients — angles and jewelry length vary by anatomy. Studio gallery · Katelyn's portfolio
