NIOBIUM CONTAINS LESS NICKEL THAN TITANIUM AND IS ONE OF THE SAFEST CHOICES FOR INITIAL PIERCINGS. NIOBIUM IS AN INERT ELEMENT OF IT'S OWN WHICH IS MINED FROM THE GROUND. IT CAN BE POLISHED UP OR IT CAN BE ANODIZED WITH NO HARMFUL CHEMICALS TO ACHIEVE NICE BRIGHT COLORS OF A LARGE RANGE. NIOBIUM IS IDEAL FOR PEOPLE WITH ALLERGIES.