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Many people are turning away from metal jewelry for many reasons. Metal jewelry can cause allergic reactions for some people. It can also turn a little green. Although it is durable, it is not very flexible, and some people with swelling fingers find that metal jewelry is too inflexible for it to be comfortable to wear.
A lot of metal alternatives are cheaper than their metal counterparts. However, this does not mean that non-metal jewelry is not as high quality as metal jewelry. There are many different designs available, and although some replicate the same style as metal jewelry, many bring their own unique style to the table.
Many non-metal products are available, and it might seem like a daunting task to choose the best one. However, we will provide some information on the various alternatives available so you can make an educated decision. Before we get into the things you should consider before you make a purchase, check out our list of the top metal-free jewelry below!
We are confident you will find a product in our selection you love.
Comparing the Cutest Metal-Free Jewelry of 2024 in Detail
Forbidden Body Jewelry — Best Overall
Key Features
- Made from bioplastic, meaning it’s hypoallergenic and comfortable
- Discreet and ideal for the workplace
- Available in multipacks
- Available in different thicknesses
If you have a nose piercing that does not match the dress code policy of your place of work, you should consider buying the Forbidden Body Jewelry Clear Bioflex Nose Ring. This ring is made from bioplastic scientifically formulated to complement your body, making any allergic reactions highly unlikely.
The ring is discreet, and many customers claim it has gone unnoticed in their workplace. In addition, the Bioflex material isn’t as hard as metal, making it much more comfortable to wear. This nose ring is available in two different thicknesses: 18g or 20g.
This product is available to purchase as an individual item or in multipacks of two or five.
MODRSA Jewelry — Runner-Up
Key Features
- 12 types of jewelry for various types of piercings
- 60 pieces of jewelry in total
- Made with high-quality acrylic
- Also available in nudes and with gems
The MODRSA Mix Set Clear Piercing Retainers includes six different types of clear piercing retainers. Five pieces make up each retainer suitable for nose rings and studs, lip rings, eyebrow bars, and tongue rings.
This is a perfect set for anyone with a variety of piercings who wants something affordable and subtle. The set is made using high-quality acrylic and is hypoallergenic, too. As a result, each piece of jewelry feels smooth and is comfortable to wear.
This product comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee or exchange. In addition, the set comes in a stylish black bag, which you can keep in your purse as backups.
D.Bella Jewelry — Contender
Key Features
- Made from hypoallergenic and flexible BioFlex material
- 24 pieces of jewelry in the set
- Transparent
- 90-day warranty
The D.Bella Clear Bioflex Piercing Retainer Set includes 24 piercing retainers. These transparent retainers are multifunctional and can be used with various piercings, including the belly, nose, tongue, labret, septum, lip, cartilage, Monroe, ear lobe, conch, tragus, and more.
Thanks to the transparent nature of this great product, you can keep your piercings open while working, and no one will notice. In addition, the Bioflex material is hypoallergenic and flexible, making this product completely comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
These retainers can be worn by both men and women and have a subtle style. The included velvet gift bag means you’ll have a handy place to store them, so you can always carry backup jewelry with you. In addition, this set comes with a 90 days money-back warranty and is a great bang for your buck.
Jude Jewelers Ring — Honorable Mention
Key Features
- Made from durable resin
- 8mm thick
- Available in several sizes from four to 12
- Available in several colors
The Jude Jeweler Plastic Resin Ring is an excellent alternative to a metal ring, being both durable and comfortable to wear. The beautiful design of this ring makes it look as though gold leaves are floating through a colorful ocean.
The ring is 8mm thick and is available in several colors, including black, blue, blue and green, brown, green, pink, purple, and red. In addition, the ring is available in sizes between four and 12. This ring is so affordable that you may want to buy one in every color!
Ftovosyo Jewelry — Also Consider
Key Features
- Pack of 36 pieces
- Glow in the dark, glitter, or solid color designs
- Made from high-quality acrylic
- It comes with a velvet bag
The Ftovosyo Flexible Straight Acrylic Tongue and Nipple Bars come in a pack of six, 12, or 36. In the pack with 36 pieces, 12 nipple rings have a glitter ball to add a little personality to your look.
The set also contains 12 nipple rings with glow-in-the-dark balls: perfect for clubbing and date night. The other 12 nipple rings have a solid colored ball, including black, pink, white, green, red, and blue. The bars are also colored to match the balls.
High-quality acrylic is used to make these bioplast barbells. They are also hypoallergenic and a great option if you have had a reaction to metal jewelry in the past. Plus, the accompanying velvet bag can even be given as a gift!
Finding The Perfect Metal-Free Jewelry: A Buyer's Guide
Things to Consider When Choosing Metal-Free Jewelry
Jewelry can be made from various materials, including wood, shells, plastic, glass, ceramic, rubber, and many more. The material you choose depends on your stylistic preference, as well as any allergies you may have to certain materials.
Wooden jewelry
Wooden jewelry is an eco-friendly option that can be carved into intricate and interesting shapes. They are unique looking and are hypoallergenic. The downside is they are more easily damaged than many metal pieces of jewelry, and if you purchase a wooden ring, it is difficult to resize.
Shell jewelry
Shell jewelry has been around for thousands of years. The oldest piece of shell jewelry was found in Morocco and is 82,000 years old. So if you want to feel close to your ancestors and another time, shell jewelry is a wonderful way to do so.
Shell jewelry is currently on-trend and looks fabulous with a variety of styles. The most popular shells used are mother-of-pearl, paua, oyster, cowrie, puka, abalone, and puka.
We recommend doing a little research into where the shells in your jewelry come from. The manufacturer should be transparent about this. Shells must be found and collected from beaches where it is legal to do so. Mass harvesting of shells is extremely damaging to marine life.
Plastic jewelry
If you are looking for jewelry only used on the surface of your skin, such as necklaces, bracelets, or rings, plastic jewelry can be an affordable alternative to metal gems and stones. There are plenty of beautiful plastic beads that look just like the real thing.
You can get plastic diamonds, pearls, and leather, to create the look you had in mind without a massive price tag. However, if you are looking for jewelry that will be used inside piercings, it is recommended that you use bioplastic.
Bioplastic has been manufactured to be biologically compatible with our bodies and reduce the chance of infection from a new piercing. In addition, some piercers believe it is better than metal jewelry and has the benefit of being more flexible than metal.
Glass jewelry
There are several types of glass jewelry you may want to check out. These include fused glass, dichroic glass, glass beads, Murano glass, and sea glass.
Fused glass is a mixture of different colored glass that has been melted and combined. This type of glass is usually seen in earrings and pendants. Due to how this jewelry is made, it is almost impossible to get the same design twice.
Dichroic glass looks almost magical. When the light hits it at different angles, it refracts different colors. To put it simply, dichroic glass is a mixture of colored glass melted together. You can find out more with a quick internet search.
Glass beads are like plastic, a great alternative to genuine stones. You can get many different designs of metal-free glass bead necklaces and bracelets. They often have an elasticated material holding them together.
Murano glass uses an old glass working technique to create flowers in the glass. Each Murano glass piece must be made by hand and takes years of practice. Unsurprisingly, any type of jewelry that uses this material will be rather expensive.
Sea glass is glass that has fallen into the sea and has been smoothed by the waves. Sea glass is a beautiful material and has been on an incredible journey before it arrived on your jewelry.
Ceramic jewelry
Ceramic jewelry is often colorful and unique. This material is growing in popularity for jewelry such as wedding rings. It is durable, comfortable, and hypoallergenic.
Rubber jewelry
Silicone is a mixture of synthetic rubber and plastic polymers. Silicone rings have become a popular alternative to metal rings because they are hypoallergenic, comfortable, and durable. They are also available in a broader range of designs and colors compared to metal rings.
Leather jewelry
Leather is durable and looks great as part of a bracelet. It is an excellent alternative to metal chains. However, leather is not suitable for vegans, so if you like to buy jewelry as a gift, do not buy leather for vegans.
Acrylic jewelry
Look for jewelry that uses high-quality acrylic materials. For example, using high-quality acrylic balls on a piercing bar is often safer than cheap metal balls. In addition, PMMA acrylic will not react with your skin, so this is a good alternative if you usually have allergic reactions to metal jewelry.
Other
For more ideas of non-metal jewelry items, you can check out paper, pebbles, feathers, and bone. Pretty much any material can be turned into jewelry these days!
How We Chose Our Favorite Metal-Free Jewelry
To choose the perfect metal-free jewelry, we considered the item’s style, durability, and price. If the product was intended to look like metal or replicate something it was not, we judged how well this was achieved. We also read countless customer reviews to ensure we only suggested products that were popular and on-trend.
Metal-Free Jewelry Price Range
Metal-free jewelry is inexpensive by nature. You can expect to pay between $7 and $20 for a piece of metal-free jewelry or a complete metal-free jewelry set.
