QuestionI am currently making homemade plugs and am interested in safe coatings for them so not to cause dangerous infections. I would like to know if you know of anything
I could get ahold of.
AnswerHello Kayla,
Presuming you are referring to ear plugs I can tell you this- if you use fine silver and high karat gold ( 18- 24 kt. ) you won't have any problems. Sterling silver, Argentium and Brilliante silver alloys , white gold, yellow gold 14kt. or lesser all contain copper.White gold has a large amount of nickel in its composition in addition to the copper and other minerals in the alloy to further increase the risk of allergenic reactions. Titanium, surgical stainless steel, niobium and other of the reactive metals are hypoallergenic, however the dyestuffs used in the colouring of niobium can sometimes cause a reaction ( though most are advertised as hypoallergenic are "skin safe") because unlike anodizing titanium where the colour is produced from voltage affecting the crystalline or mineral structure ( much like heating a gemstone like topaz, sapphires or zircons to produce different colours) the voltage passed through niobium builds a layer of oxidation that then accepts a dye almost permanently ( unless there are great amounts of rubbing or friction contacting the piece in daily wear - which is not the same as with ear plugs where the person puts them in and hair may be the major friction source).
With other materials like bone, wood, or shell there are a few things to remember: some woods are toxic. Cocobolo, and zebrawood most so,.even sassafras has a degree of toxicity though not commonly used in making ear plugs. Whether the person has had pierced ears for a number of years makes a difference though because the skin is closed around the piercing.Stretching it as with gradually increasing the size of the plugs should not open skin if properly stepped up ( you should always explain that to your clients or customers). Shell should be sterilized before you fashion it into plugs- particularly if it is imported material. Access to an autoclave would be ideal ( a dentist, barber or doctor friend . may be able to process a batch for you). Though rare some infections can be transferred through shell materials though more likely when in contact with mucous membranes. A sealant that would not detract from the natural beauty of items with a nacre ( i.e.- mother of pearl, abalone, pearls, natural paua shell not assembled paua with a plastic or acrylic backing on the material) is micro-crystalline wax, or carnauba wax. Either of them will not leave the plug glossy and provide a matte finish that will last many months to a year if not soaked in chlorinated water or saline solutions. Micro-crystalline waxes are great to use on woods, and bone as well. Carnauba wax is very hard and has to be warmed to use it readily.They are applied by hand ,rubbing in with a soft cloth and left to sit a while. Any excess can then be wiped off and finished with a clean soft cloth to bring out the surface shine. A coating like marine varnish is permanent but is much like a shellac ( naturally based shell laquer but thinned with petrol products, or turpentine or mineral spirits) and leaves whatever applied to glossy and looking like you painted it with fingernail polish or an enamel. If you desire a glossy finish there are a number of products out there that are advertised as sealants for jewelry and intended to prevent the item from turning green in contact with skins ( the copper in a piece is responsible for that reaction often noticed with costume jewelry). They are nothing more than a thinned out varnish and in some brands , simply nail enamel repackaged. You can go to any x mart and buy non-toxic shellac and varnishes in the craft supplies section ( you will see the official seal of the ACMS or other crafts materials safety labelling on the products like paints, etc. that make it relatively safe for use in schools..provided it isn't ingested, and if so it is still relatively innocuous!) some are matte finish, and others glossy.Just read the labels and the cost is about $1.50 or less USD per 2 -4 oz bottle compared to the $8.00 or more price tag on the jewelry sealants that are essentially nail enamel.
Beeswax can be used too. It provides a rich lustre but has to be reapplied ( you could make a pencil thin mould and pour your own sticks or alternatively pour small cakes into little closed containers ( like lip glosses come in and which are available from packaging suppliers - Berlin Packaging being one such US company and sell this to your clients with their purchase because chances are they have more than one pair of plugs. A bit on a soft cloth rubbed in will protect the surfaces from contact with ear piercings.
Resin, poly-clays and similar materials once cured are safe as is. I would completely avoid using pewter, or any jeweler's alloys like bronzes, etc due to the potential for reactivity with various body chemistries, cosmetics, bath products, and different water types ( sulfur containing waters will affect any metal even pure or high karat golds). Animal bones, teeth, etc.that you harvest yourself are a different story. Armadillos carry rabies and shouldn't be handled even by you! Shark teeth, vodoun related bone materials, etc. should be sealed after fully drying them so that any marrow not removed can be sealed. Corals are safe but should be sanded, and perhaps polished ( with cerium oxide or Linde A- common lapidary polishes, if not a simple rouge available at hardware or jewelers supply stores).
If I knew the material you intend to use I could address it specifically. If you need sources for items I mentioned but can't locate them I can provide you with them ( i have a small jewelry supply business) or local sources if you tell me where you are. I hope this has helped in some way.Fell free to contact me again if I haven't covered what you are using
Best regards,Ari
Copyrights Reserved -Vieux Carre Jewelers a div of Red Tent Design Group LLC
