Tygon, Vincon and Silastic are not exactly jewlelry, though.
http://www.tygon.com/ Tygon is a type of clear pvc tubing put to many uses. Many of the applications are in the medical and food service fields because of it's inert qualities and flexibility. Specifically, the S-50-HL medical surgical quality from Norton Plastics has the biocompatability and smoothness that we look for in comfortable jewelry.
The jewelry aspect can be made a few ways by using micro bore tubing in small sizes, notably by inserting a standard male screw thread from a ball in 14g to 8g, then tightening it the same as you would screw on a metal post. This holds well enough to heal with, and tends to eliminate the irritation from tension or flexing in piercings that traverse through skin at less than perependicular angles of approach and exit.
I have used this since 1992 in various piercings, and have had nothing but successful results. Client feedback reports some of the highest comfort levels of any material. It doesn't hurt that it is incredibly inexpensive when cut to a 1' or smaller piece for piercing, too. I have been working on inexpensive plug in ends for the pieces, with some success for smaller sizes without distortion. Contact me for further information if you like.
Brian Skellie
www.piercing.org 800-646-0393
'Technology is forcing us into professional status whether we want to be professionals or not. One thing that distinguishes a professional from a craftsperson is knowledge of theory, the underlying principles that make the craft work.
A craft is learned by emulation: watching a master perform and then imitating that person. A profession is learned from first principles so that when things change, the professional understands the changes and adjusts techniques to fit. ' ~Philip Meyer, Knight Chair in Journalism UNC Chapel Hill
