A common question I am asked is "Are your findings HYPOALLERGENIC?"
The short answer to this is YES - Yet please read below.
When I started making resin earrings, I had NO idea that there were different types of stainless steel... I just looked for the words "Hypoallergenic" Stainless Steel...
What does "hypoallergenic" actually mean though?
Hypoallergenic means there is a slightly or below average chance of an allergy reaction - It is generally the nickel in metals that can cause someone to develop an allergy.
There are over 100 types of Stainless Steel - No wonder it can be confusing!
NQ Jewellery & Craft Supplies stock 304 Stainless Steel which contains the lowest percentage of nickel at 8% & 316/316L contains 2% more at 10%, therefore, a person who is allergic/sensative to nickel would be more suited to 304 Stainless Steel Findings over 316/316L (commonly known as surgical stainless steel) which contains a 2% higher nickel level.
If you are seriously allergic to nickel as little as 0.1% of nickel can flare their allergy in no time, it is recommended to only use precious element metals like gold, platinum, niobium or titanium as they are less likely to cause an allergic reaction.