I’m so happy with my most recent Etsy purchases.
You see, I recently got a super-short haircut, which made me wish I could wear earrings. But my ears, while pierced, are super sensitive. Every time I attempt to wear earrings it doesn’t take long before it’s too painful to wear them.
I did some research and apparently earhooks made from niobium are pretty much 100% hypo-allergenic. A quick search for “niobium” on Etsy and I found some lovely earrings made with this type of earhook.
I snagged some copper circles and these vintage yellow hoops from Susan Marie Designs, plus a pair of gorgeous aqua blue glass bead earrings from acmebeadgirl.
I’ve been testing out a pair of 14k gold post earrings too, which haven’t been bothering me much, but the niobium hooks truly haven’t given my sensitive ears any problems.
So if you’re like me and have trouble wearing earrings, look for sellers who offer niobium earhooks. Some artists will offer to swap out their regular earhooks for niobium…all you have to do is ask. And jewelry artists…if you don’t already, please consider offering this as an option! I’m so happy to have found a way to wear earrings comfortably!
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi! Just wondering, since you have sensitive ears, if you’ve ever had a problem with ear wires that are hypoallergenic (supposedly), but not niobium. I use the hypoallergenic hooks when I make and sell jewelry, but often wondered if they really are hypoall. I don’t have sensitive ears so I can’t test this. I wouldn’t mind switching to niobium for everything I make, but the place where I get my supplies does not carry those and it would be an extra task for me to get niobium.
I don’t know that I’ve tried earrings that are specifically marked hypoallergenic without being niobium. Do you know what yours are made of? I’ve seen “nickel-free” ear posts, but I haven’t tried those either.
I have found that it’s a lot easier to shop for earrings online though, as most artists list the type of ear hook or post. I think part of my problem is most of my old earrings came from stores and I have no idea what kind of metal was used for the hook or post.
Excellent tip about the ears. Your new earrings are very pretty.
Ohhh, I love those yellow earrings!
I’ve been planning on getting some of those ear hooks just to have on hand in case someone were to want them instead of sterling. I’m glad to know they work well!
Thanks for the tip. I’ve heard of Niobium and haven’t done much research.
Do you find you have allergic reactions to sterling silver? I’ve pretty much used that in my pieces, and some nickel free at times—but as I am one of those people who could wear something probably radioactive (j/k) in my ears and not see a difference I wouldn’t know.
One of my good friends is pretty much allergic to pretty much everything and I’ve really wanted to try to experiment with making her some things she can wear no problem.
I don’t know that I’ve had a reaction to sterling silver, but I think when I was researching I read something about there sometimes being trace elements of nickel even in sterling silver. Lately every time I try to wear a necklace with a metal chain, my neck breaks out, so honestly right now I’m afraid to try anything new in my ears. The niobium seems to be doing fine for ear hooks, and the few post earrings I’ve been wearing made of 14k gold haven’t bothered me much so far.
Personally, I’m probably going to get some niobium earhooks at some point, so that I can swap the hooks out if I like a pair of earrings and they’re made with something else. I know enough people locally who make jewelry who can help me swap out the hooks (I’d do it myself but I don’t have the tools). I doubt that’s an option for everyone with super sensitive ears though.
To swap out those earrings all you need is a pair of flat nosed pliers, and you can find them at a local craft store. You can do it!
Keep us updated on what works. I really feel bad for people who can’t wear whatever they want. That just stinks.
Thank you so much for this article!!! I have sensitive ears too. I have had problems in the past with some sterling silver and 14k gold. The metal that I found that never, ever irritated my ears is surgical steel. That stuff is amazing!!
I have a shop on Etsy as well and all my earrings are suitable for sensitive ears. I will try this niobium you mentioned. I love to color it’s similar to copper, which is currently my new favorite metal.
P.S. The sterling silver ear hooks I work with are great for sensitive ears, my favorite earrings that I wear almost everyday now are made with the sterling silver hooks and I have not had a problem yet. I’m not sure why I had problems in the past with sterling silver, maybe it was poor quality