Ear Stretching Material Types - Everything You Need to Know

Let’s kick things off with surgical steel, the bedrock of ear stretching materials. This smooth operator is timeless, reliable, and effortlessly cool. In particular, the 316L variety of surgical steel is a favourite, because it’s smooth, fresh-stretch-friendly, and non-porous.

Translation? It’s:

• Gentle on your lobes and reduces the risk of infections
• The ideal starting point for every fresh ear stretch
• Super shiny and scratch-resistant, so your lobes will always look their best

And our surgical steel jewellery at SIBJ? Only the crème de la crème, baby! We’re talking primo 316L surgical steel, polished to a flawless, mirror-like shine. Those cheap knock-offs won’t stand a chance once you rock our stuff.

Looking for sleek steel plugs, a killer ear stretching kit, or some badass steel tunnels? We've got your back, whether you’re starting small at 1mm (18g) or going big with a 50mm (2"). Your lobes deserve the best. And we deliver.

Next up, titanium. Specifically, ASTM F-136 implant grade titanium ear plugs. Along with all the other styles of titanium ear stretchers, they’re nearly half the weight of steel, but three times stronger.

This material is right up there at the top of the tree for the best plugs and tunnels. So, let’s run through exactly why titanium ear plugs, tunnels and hoops are esteemed as the pinnacle of ear stretchers:

• Featherweight champion of ear stretching materials, light on your lobes, heavy on durability
• An allergy-free zone, making it a godsend if you’ve got sensitive, easily irritated skin
• Shiny and strong, its highly polished finish looks sleek, while holding up to daily wear and tear without even breaking a sweat

Implant grade titanium ear plugs might not be necessary for everyone. But they’re the platinum standard for fresh piercings. Plus, it’s worth repeating titanium ear plugs are your go-to if your skin is super picky. Three times tougher than steel. Feather light. Totally biocompatible. What’s not to love?

Well, your wallet might feel the pinch on those bigger titanium ear plugs compared to surgical steel, but hey, quality comes at a price.

Glass is often hailed as the holy grail of ear stretching jewellery, and it’s easy to see why:

• Sleek
• Strong
• Fresh stretch friendly
• Ideal choice if you’ve got any sensitivities to metals, stone, or wood

In fact, some of the best tunnels and plugs are glass, with a lustrous finish that’s gentle on your skin, making insertion a breeze. Plus, glass is hypoallergenic, eliminating the risk of unwanted reactions, and keeping your lobes safe and irritation-free.

Even better still, the weight of glass aids the dead stretching process, allowing your ears to stretch naturally without any force. It ticks many boxes, thanks to its simplicity and cleanliness making your ear stretching journey as smooth as glass.

Now, let’s get a bit earthy. Organic materials like wood, horn, bone, and shell are all the rage. Yes, they’re stunningly beautiful. But they’re also environmentally friendly and unique. Each piece has its own character, making your ear stretchers truly one of a kind.

We’ll go into each material in more detail. But here’s the overall lowdown on organic ear stretchers:

• Wood - Lightweight, breathable, and naturally beautiful. Just keep them dry and oiled.
• Horn and bone - Intricate carvings and lightweight comfort.
• Shell - Adds a touch of the ocean’s mysterious patterns to your lobes.

Warning! Never use organic materials for a fresh ear stretch. Why? Because they’re porous, meaning they’re prone to harbouring bacteria. Which is a gigantic no-no for healing lobes.

Looking for the best plugs and tunnels with a bit of heft and a whole lot of style? Stone, with its a vast array of colours and patterns, is where it’s at.

Better still, it’s hypoallergenic, which makes it generally safe for most ear stretchers to use. Although it’s always wise to stick to high-quality pieces with smooth and non-irritating finishes.

Otherwise, stone is hands down the ultimate choice to adorn an ear stretch in the most captivating and intriguing materials you can find. Check out the sheer volume of choices (and this is just a comprehensive snapshot rather, not the whole lot!):

Acrylic is like the fun-loving cousin in your jewellery family. It’s lightweight, available in a rainbow of choices, and cheap but chic. Perfect for when you want to switch things up or expand your collection without breaking the bank.

In addition, acrylic is awesome because it’s super lightweight, making it comfortable for extended wear. In fact, you could say it’s the jack-of-all-trades in ear stretching terms.

But, heads up. You’re strongly advised to only rock acrylic in fully healed stretches.

Yes. You guessed it. It’s another of those porous materials with a nasty habit of doubling up as a bacteria magnet when your lobes are freshly stretched and more vulnerable to unwelcome nasties crashing the party.

Wood is awesome. Scratch that - wood is phenomenal! In fact, literally thousands of SIBJ customers think wood makes the best earrings for stretched holes. And not without good reason.

What makes wood such a winner? It’s:

• Lightweight, breathable, and comfortable, with a warm, organic feel
• Each piece has its own natural grain, making every plug one-of-a-kind
• Responsibly sourced, hand-carved, a sustainable choice

Remember, wood is also porous, meaning you don’t go there (if you’d rather be safe not sorry) in the earlier stages of your ear stretching journey, before your lobes are healed.

Furthermore, wooden ear stretchers need a bit more TLC than most other materials. So, avoid getting them wet to keep them in top condition. 

Our Organic Jojoba Oil is perfect for keeping your lobes and wooden ear gauges in peak condition.

These lightweight organic beauties are intricately carved into stunning designs, bringing a touch of the wild to your jewellery collection.

• Horn - Makes awesome ear stretchers, with the bonus of being naturally skin-friendly, ultralight, and polishing up to a slick, shiny finish.
• Bone – It’s old school, having been used in ear stretching for millennia. But it’s on point in terms of popularity and style. Natural, responsibly sourced water buffalo bone makes some of the best plugs and tunnels, biocompatible, smooth as silk, and as natural as it gets.
• Shell – With its atmospheric coastal vibes, shell is a gem in the organic lineup. It flaunts mesmerising colour shifts in inlaid abalone plugs to solid Mother of Pearl angel wings, rivalling pricier precious and semi-precious stone jewellery without breaking the bank.

Only use horn, bone and shell ear stretchers in healed lobes, as you would with other organic materials.

Please note: All of our organic jewellery is responsibly sourced, including our horn and bone pierces.

Silicone earring plugs and tunnels have got loads going for them. They’re:

• Comfy for long-term wear, chilling out, sleeping and hat wearing!
• Available in tons of colours
• So lightweight and easy on the ears you’ll barely notice they’re there

But there’s one small catch.

Despite their softness and flexibility, silicone earring plugs are great for healed lobes, but never for fresh stretches. Nor should they be used during the stretching process itself - we've heard some horror stories!

Fancy adding a warm, rustic look to your ear stretch? Brass and copper are excellent choices when you’re on the lookout for a sprinkling of vintage charm. This is down to their standout, warm shades, and intricate designs.

Brass jewellery? It’s seriously showstopping. And copper? It’s a wicked colour for both classic and contemporary designs.

The only downside with brass and copper ear stretchers? You should only use them in fully healed lobes. But you hear us say the same thing time and time again about most ear stretching materials. So, it’s not really a downside at all. Just a common sense safety measure for the good of your own lobes.

We only use brass and copper that is lead, nickel & cadmium-free for all of our jewellery.

Physical vapour deposition (PVD) coated jewellery takes surgical steel to the next level with a durable, scratch-resistant finish. But the real magic happens when the base material is layered with a slick colour and / or finish.

The result? Ordinary metal is transformed into badass bling with the following benefits:

• Durability and style - Highly resistant to scratches and typically available in black, gold, and rose gold
• Hypoallergenic - Keeps your lobes happy and irritation-free
• Sleek appearance - Adds a modern, polished finish to your ear stretching wardrobe

No wonder it crops up in conversations about the best earrings for stretched holes. You wouldn’t expect it not to.

Ready to build your ear stretching jewellery collection with confidence? Go ahead and explore these different materials to discover what suits your style and comfort best, from titanium ear plugs to copper droppers.

And remember, patience and proper care are major factors for successful ear stretching. But the best earrings for stretched holes, in high-quality materials, are just as vital.