Ask the Experts about Jewelry Making

Topics: Niobium, Hypoallergenic, Anodized Wire

Q.

What is niobium?

- Betsy, CT

A.

Niobium is a metal first engineered to protect hypersonic aerospace vehicles from extreme conditions. It is also used in welding, nuclear industries, electronics, optics and jewelry-making. It is an ideal metal for use in jewelry-making as it is hypoallergenic.

Niobium is formed into the desired shape or finding--such as earwires, headpins, eyepins or jumprings - the natural grey base metal niobium is then anodized to create six signature colors. Most people who are metal-sensitive can comfortably wear niobium. Although the anodized jewel-tone colors are not certified hypoallergenic, most metal sensitive people can wear them comfortably.