Earstretching.net

Hey everyone new to the forum and pretty new to stretching just got my ears pierced at an 8G a few months ago. But I just ordered some glass plugs that are Gorilla Glass brand and they are both made from Barium Crystal and I really though nothing of it because I know they are considered a good company. But then when looking online I saw mixed things about barium crystal but most places just said use pyrex only and never gave a reason if they were against barium crystal and others that were for it only said that it was a great lead free glass. Is barium crystal glass safe or does no one know for sure? I looked extremely hard on google and couldn't find all that much.

No one knows about this subject I guess?

Its a bit of an... odd subject.
Barium is a heavy metal, and so you could (theoretically) get heavy metal poisoning. But the amount found in any half decent jewellery is soooo minute. And theres no proof of it causing problems.
If someone is unlucky enough to have a reaction to glass its usually from improperly cased dichro, or sometimes the colouring used (mainly in sodalime). Or scratches or something.

Basically you should be fine, especially in healed ears. And if you're still nervous (no need), theres always earskins.
I wear GG glass a lot. Never any problems for me

What product did you buy?
If its got barium in its probably a soft glass so you just have to be more careful of dropping them and extreme changes in temperature. They usually shatter as opposed to exploding, but just sayin'. (I've never had a problem on that either)

I got these: http://steelnavel.com/product.asp?ID=1306&MID=1&MID2=1
and these: http://steelnavel.com/product.asp?ID=1307&MID=1&MID2=1
also got these but they aren't Gorilla Glass and are pyrex:
http://steelnavel.com/product.asp?ID=5515&MID=1&MID2=1

I also bought Holey Butt'r and that stuff makes my ears feel so amazing and soft to the touch.

holysnikey wrote: also got these but they aren't Gorilla Glass and are pyrex:
http://steelnavel.com/product.asp?ID=5515&MID=1&MID2=1

Those glow in the dark ones are awesome. I have a pair I wore constantly when I was at 3/4" They glow so brightly when first charged you can practically use them as a flashlight up to a foot away lol.

stashapistachio wrote:If someone is unlucky enough to have a reaction to glass its usually from improperly cased dichro

Second that, I own a lot of glass, and the only thing that's ever bothered me is cheap dichro seconds. I didn't even realize it until I stared hard at the jewelry for minutes, the small pointy bit of foil sticking out was so tiny, yet it really pissed off my ear.

I've never personally had a problem with barium glass or known anyone that has, but that doesn't mean it's not possible. Likely it can't be any worse for you than acrylic jewelry.

I'm mildly sure those are all borosciliate (so pyrex). But I'm not sure. I'm not about to test mine any time soon.

I wouldn't worry about it, at all!
Probable very worse case is long term exposure causes sensitivity and you can't wear them anymore. But I think you'd probably be dead before that.
If your ears have a problem, stop wearing them. Simples

Also I had the glow in the dark too. Cool, but I realised I never ever went anywhere dark and I have a bit of a dislike to plain jewellery, especially white. So they never really got worn >.<