A Better Kind of Wire: How a Friend Led Me to Discover Niobium

So, here’s the thing.

If you’ve ever fallen in love with a pair of earrings only to have your ears protest the moment you put them on — red, itchy, irritated — I see you. And I know how frustrating that can be.

Years ago, a friend (and longtime customer) reached out with a simple but heartfelt dilemma: she loved wearing earrings, but even sterling silver was too much for her sensitive ears. Every pair ended up in a drawer. She said she loved my earrings, but couldn't wear them.

That hit me hard. Jewelry is so personal. It’s how we tell our stories. I didn’t want her — or anyone — to feel left out because of a material choice.

So, I went down the rabbit hole.

I started reading everything I could about metal sensitivities, chemical reactions, and biocompatibility. That’s when I discovered niobium — a rare, pure metal that doesn’t react with the body. It’s hypoallergenic and widely used in medical implants, which immediately caught my attention. No plating, no mystery alloys — just a stable, gentle material that plays nice with even the most sensitive skin.

I got my hands on a small batch of niobium wire, made her a test pair, and waited.

She wrote me back a few days later: “Dianne… I wore them all day. Not a single itch. You’ve made me a happy camper.”

I’ll never forget that message. It was such a small switch — and such a big impact.

Since then, I’ve been using niobium ear wires on many of my earrings (especially the enamel pieces), and every time someone tells me, “Finally! I can wear earrings again,” it brings me right back to that first conversation.

This is what I love most about making jewelry: it’s not just about beauty. It’s about connection — to nature, to craft, and to people.

So if you’ve been hesitant because of sensitive ears, I get it. I really do. And I’ve got options for you.

Many of my earrings now come with niobium ear wires, and I’m happy to make a swap when possible — just leave me a note at checkout. Your ears deserve comfort, too.

From the studio,
Dianne