Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I purchase your jewelry?
Piercing studios and jewelry stores can buy the jewelry of our brands here in the shop. As a retail-customer you can get it through a local retail store (SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL DEALER!) or online shop.
Wholesale/Trader
Piercing studios and jewelry stores can buy our products directly through our website. If you are the owner of a piercing studio, tattoo shop or jewelry store, you can fill out the application form here: piercingprofessionals.de/register. Once approved you will be able to place wholesale orders through our online shopping cart.
Retail
You can purchase our jewelry through your local piercing studio (or any high-quality online shop).
We encourage you to support your local boutique piercing shop. A professional studio will be able to help you reach your goal size safely, sterilize your jewelry in an autoclave, give you advice on stretching or new piercings, and advise you on proper aftercare. In addition, professional piercers are jewelry experts who are familiar with the top jewelry brands, the latest jewelry releases, and will be able to help you order rare and tailor-made jewelry from us. Additionally, our yearly Collections are available exclusively through Brick & Mortar shops!
Online Shops
If you do NOT live near a high-quality piercing studio, let us know at info@piercingprofessionals.de and we'll do our best to help you!
I ordered pieces which are not in stock.
Can I get it all together or seperate shipped?
IMPORTANT: If there are items in the basket which are on backorder, the delivery may take longer. These items are listed below in your cart. If it's only a part of your order and you wish to get the available items now, choose the shipping-method: Double Shipping while checkout.
What is your return policy?
We stand by the quality of our jewelry 100%. However, every glass piece will have unique variations of color and size, as is the nature of handmade items. We do our best to create matching or complementary pairs, and will always listen to your concerns and feedback about your order.
If a piece we shipped from our shop arrives broken, damaged, defective or is not what you ordered, please send us a photo to info@piercingprofessionals.de to review it. Keep in mind that open, used, resized or otherwise altered pieces won’t be accepted for return after delivery. Once we review the incident, we will replace the damaged jewelry.
If you ordered jewelry from a store, studio, or online shop, you will have to make the return directly with the piercing studio or online shop that you purchased it from. We only take responsibility for orders that have been sent directly from our onlineshop.
My jewelry arrived broken! What should I do?
We stand by the quality of our jewelry 100%. Sometimes accidents happen and a piece is broken during shipping. In case your item arrives broken, please send us a photo to info@piercingprofessionals.de to review it. Keep in mind that used, resized or otherwise altered pieces won’t be accepted for return after delivery. Once we review the incident, we will offer credit on your next order or we will replace the jewelry with free shipping, depending on your preference.
If you ordered jewelry from a store, studio, or other online shop, you will have to make the return directly with the piercing studio or online shop that you purchased it from. We only take responsibility for orders that have been sent directly from our onlineshop under piercingprofessionals.de.
How do I register for wholesale purchases?
You can register your studio or store for wholesale at https://piercingprofessionals.de/registrieren.php. When you fill the application form your request will go through a screening process where we validate the information given. You will receive a confirmation email within one business day. You can also write us a mail to info@piercingprofessionals.de with all your data including VAT and we will create an account for you. Then you will also receive a confirmation email within one business day. Once we approve your account you will be able to add products to your shopping cart.
I registered my account but never received confirmation.
If you already registered in our website and you never received a confirmation please send us an email to info@piercingprofessionals.de and we will make sure your account is activated.
Do you offer Association of Professional Piercers (APP) and APP UK members discounts?
For Association Members: Gorilla Glass Germany and Diablo Organics Germany offer 5% discount for members of authorized professional Associactions like VPP, APP or UKAPP. To get activated for the discounts please send us your certificate or any proof of active membership via mail to registration@piercingprofessionals.com. Once we checked your papers you will get activated and receive a mail from the shop.
Help! I forgot my password!
If you can’t remember your password click on the “forgot password?” button on the login page here. Enter your email and you will receive an email shortly with your new password. If you don’t receive your reset password or have any problems during this process, don’t hesitate to contact us at info@piercingprofessionals.de.
How do I place a wholesale order?
There are two options to place a wholesale order.
Shopping Cart
Our online shopping cart is the easiest and most accurate way to place an order. It contains the most up to date catalog and prices. You can also check sizes and color availability for all our styles on the individual product pages. To use our shopping cart, you need to first register as a wholesale customer: piercingprofessionals.de/register. Once you are registered you can log in to our website here. After logging in you can navigate the catalog.
E-Mail
You can also place your order by email as a spreadsheet. To avoid delays on your order and expedite processing please specify all the details about your jewelry on the spreadsheet: style, size, color, flare style, wearable length, and quantity of the items you want and send them to info@piercingprofessionals.de.
You can reference product information including flare options, color availability, and product codes on the individual product pages on the piercingprofessionals.de website.
What happens after I place my order?
After you have placed your order our sales team will check your order. If everything is in stock and the order is paid we will ship it immediately. If there are pieces in backorder we will get in touch with you about your order. Orders generally take one to two days to be ready to ship, depending on the size and availability of the pieces in the order and our current workload. If you wish, orders can be shipped in 2 loads, if something is in backorder.
Once your order is ready to ship, our team will send you a final confirmation or you simply get a tracking from the logistic-providers.
Is there a minimum order value for wholesale orders?
Yes, due to logistical reasons we need an minimum order value of 50€ – Thanks for your understanding.
Can I add pieces to an existing order?
Yes, but you cannot modify a shopping cart order after it has been submitted through the “Send Order” button. However, as long as your package hasn’t been shipped, you can place a new order through the shop. We will send your orders together to reduce shipping expenses (You will get a store credit of the amount or get back your shipping costs). Always feel free to send us an email with the extra pieces you need to: info@piercingprofessionals.de. If it’s in time it will be not a problem to add something.
Can I modify orders that I placed through the shopping cart?
You cannot modify a shopping cart order after it has been submitted through the “Send Order” button. However, as long as your package hasn’t been shipped, you can place a new order through the shopping cart. We will send your orders together to reduce shipping expenses. Always feel free to send us an email with the extra pieces you need to: info@piercingprofessionals.de (You will get a store credit of the amount or get back your shipping costs).
Do you make custom orders?
Custom orders are possible for Gorilla Glass. We love to collaborate with our customers! Our specialty is designing and handcrafting tailor-made glass jewelry. Send us an email to info@gorillaglassgermany.de with your ideas and we will be happy to advise you and provide you with a quote. We make custom lengths and flares for plugs, custom graphics, unique color combinations, jewelry for special occasions such as weddings, and more! The cost and production time for tailor made jewelry depends on the complexity of the individual request.
Should I order pairs or single pieces?
All jewelry (except piercing jewelry, gold-ends, rings etc.) in the shop comes in pairs. When you place an order for jewelry through the shopping cart, all items listed are pairs. If you order a single piece, we cannot guarantee it is going to perfectly match another piece of jewelry that you already have, even if it is of the same style and color. Colors vary from individual glass batches and proportions of jewelry styles occasionally change and evolve over time. For special requests (single pieces) just write us a mail to info@piercingprofessionals.de – if your order in the shop is already done and paid, you can ask for single pieces. If the order is not already produced and shipped we can change that for you by hand.
Can I order a single piece of jewelry?
Yes, you can. We do our best to create matching or complementary pairs. However, if you order a single piece, we cannot guarantee it will match another piece you already have perfectly, even if it is of the same style and color. Colors vary from individual glass/material batches and proportions of jewelry styles occasionally change and evolve over time. For special requests (single pieces) just write us a mail to info@piercingprofessionals.de
Do you offer bulk discounts?
Sorry, we can not offer bulk discounts.
When and how are payments made?
We accept payments through Bank Transfer, Paypal, VISA, Mastercard.
Occasionally there may be small differences between your initial invoice and your final invoice. These may be due to changes in the order, additional custom requests, or adjustments to the shipping cost.
Can I use Paypal to pay my order?
Yes! PayPal is a safe and easy way to pay and also a good alternative if your credit card is blocked for foreign payments. If you want to use Paypal to pay your invoice please send us your email address. We will send you a payment request and process your order. To transfer money via paypal use this email: paypal@piercingprofessionals.de
What are my shipping options and how much do they cost?
We offer various shipping options, depending on your region and what your preference is.
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Europe
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United States
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Canada
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Around the World
How long does it take to ship my order?
Generally, it takes around 3-6 days shipping within Europe (within Germany it can be faster), if everything you ordered is in stock. The production of Gorilla Glass pieces which are not in stock can take around five to ten business days plus shipping. Complex fused pieces and large orders may take longer to produce. Occasionally there are delays in shipping if there is a problem processing or confirming your payment.
TAKING CARE & MATERIALS
I am looking for plugs bigger than 25mm (1”) but I can't find them listed on the website.
Not all plug styles are available larger than 25mm (1”), depending on the glass process Gorilla Glass use to manufacture your plugs. If you do not see your size listed on the website, send us an e-mail to info@gorillaglassgermany.de and we will let you know if Gorilla Glass can make them as a custom order.
Where can I find vintage Gorilla Glass designs?
Gorilla Glass manufactures limited edition and seasonal collections that are only available while stock lasts. These are collectors’ editions and you should make sure to get them while they are available.
We also have a new Classic section on our website which has vintage Gorilla Glass styles that are no longer part of our regular product line. You will find Teardrop Plugs, old Weight designs such as the Rhomboids and Cocoons and much more in this section! We are happy to make these styles to order.
How do I take care of my GLASS jewelry?
Clean your jewelry on a regular basis using warm soapy water. Store your jewelry in a secure, dry place. When traveling, pack each piece of jewelry separately to avoid scratching or damaging your glass. Remove your jewelry when showering and before going to bed to avoid it falling out of your ear accidentally. Remove your jewelry before playing sports or other physical activity. Treat your glass jewelry with the same common sense you would treat a pair of eye glasses.
Is glass safe to wear in body piercings?
Yes, glass is safe to wear in body piercings. We recommend you to use your common sense regarding its fragile nature. Please remove your jewelry before engaging in athletic activities involving physical contact. Also remove your glass before taking a shower or bathing to avoid accidental breakage on the porcelain floor.
What are the advantages of glass for piercing jewelry?
Glass is one of the best materials for body piercing and the material of choice for stretching with professional piercers. One of the biggest advantages of glass for piercing jewelry is its non-porous, extremely smooth surface. This allows for easy and frictionless insertion and removal of the jewelry. It also means that the jewelry can be easily cleaned and will not collect bacteria within a porous structure such as acrylic or wood.
Another benefit of choosing our glass for your piercings is the availability of intermediate gauge sizes, allowing for very small stretching increments. In addition, glass is light weight (comfortable to wear), odorless (who wants stinky plugs?), and if you live in a cold climate, the glass will not freeze to your ear like metal jewelry. In addition if you need to have an x-ray and want to wear jewelry to keep you piercing healthy, glass is a safe alternative to use for x-ray scans.
In addition to these mechanical properties of glass, glass is also an aesthetically beautiful material available in many different colors and shapes. Always consult with a professional piercer before stretching. A professional piercer will be able to autoclave your glass jewelry and give you the best advice about how fast to stretch to avoid damaging your earlobes.
Is the jewelry sterilized?
We take care of our jewelry and it’s protected and clean as possible but NOT sterilized. Please make sure a professional piercer autoclaves your jewelry before you wear them.
Can you autoclave glass jewelry?
Yes! You can sterilize glass in an autoclave.
What kinds of glass does Gorilla Glass use in production?
Glass is not one material, but many. Different glass types are used for different glass techniques. Here is a brief overview of some of the glass types and production techniques we use at Gorilla Glass.
Flame Sculpted Borosilicate Glass: Borosilicate glass is commonly known as the brand name “Pyrex”. Borosilicate glass is widely used in the scientific industry because of its resistance to chemical corrosion and thermal shock. Borosilicate glass has a tough surface resistant to scratching making borosilicate plugs some of the most durable glass jewelry available. Gorilla Glass uses borosilicate for its unique color palette. The composition of borosilicate is approximately as follows; (80%) silica, (13%) boric oxide, (4%) sodium oxide and (2-3%) aluminum oxide. Borosilicate glass is defined as any glass type with at least (5%) of boron oxide in the composition.
Flame Sculpted Soda Lime Glass: Soda lime glass is the most common glass type, used widely in food and beverage containers, windows, and art glass. It contains three major compounds in varying proportions, but usually silica (60-75%), soda (12-18%), and lime (5-12%). Gorilla Glass uses soda lime glass for its range of pure, transparent colors. Glass rods are re-heated on a torch and flame sculpted into their final form. Individual glass artisans need a high level of experience in order to produce the consistency and quality that represents Gorilla Glass.
Fused and Carved Soda Lime Glass: Fusing glass has a tradition that goes back to the beginning of glass making. Gorilla Glass utilizes modern technology to improve on ancient techniques. Glass sheets and billets (blocks of glass) are cut into patterns and re-fused in special computer-controlled kilns to eliminate thermal stresses. After the designs have been fused and brought down to room temperature, the blocks of glass are carved into their final form in the lapidary shop using diamond coated tools. Fusing and carving glass is done by teams of specialized glass artisans working together. Soda lime glass contains three major compounds in varying proportions, but usually silica (60-75%), soda (12-18%), and lime (5-12%).
Blown Barium Crystal: Hot glass in a molten state is wound around a steel “blowpipe” before being blown into a large bubble by a specialized team of glass workers. The bubble is drawn into a long cylinder of glass, then cut into sections and cooled slowly to room temperature in computer-controlled ovens to remove thermal stress. Afterwards, a second team of glass workers take the glass tubes and cut, grind, and polish them into ear plugs and hoops in the “Cold Shop”.
Barium crystal is a high-end glass used in the cosmetics and beverage industry. Similar to soda lime glass in composition, a small amount of barium in the glass melt increases the density and the transparency of the glass, making it more brilliant. Gorilla Glass uses barium crystal for only two products, Lifesaver Plugs and Pharaoh Weights.
Obsidian, Volcanic Glass: Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass. The composition of obsidian is similar to soda lime glass. Obsidian has the longest history of use by humans of any glass type, being shaped into arrowheads and spear points since pre-historic times. Ancient Mesoamerican civilizations used obsidian extensively, and Mesoamerican artisans developed an incredible degree of skill in glass carving and polishing to create delicate ear spools, plugs, and labrets for priests and warriors. Obsidian comes in a range of colors including black, gray, green, silver, gold, snow flake, and rainbow obsidian. Obsidian sometimes has air bubbles and inclusions of other materials. We use Mexican obsidian and carve it into plugs and labrets in our lapidary shop using diamond coated tools.
Does Gorilla Glass melt their own glass colors?
At Gorilla Glass we don’t formulate our own glass colors. Our raw materials are specialty glass types that are manufactured as rods, sheets, or blocks of glass. The raw glass material comes from different parts of the world including the United States, Italy and the Czech Republic. Once the raw material is imported into Mexico and delivered to the Gorilla Glass production studio, we transform it into jewelry by re-melting the glass on a torch, in a furnace or kiln, or carve it into jewelry using lapidary equipment.
Where does the glass come from?
Our raw materials are specialty glass types that are manufactured as rods, sheets, or blocks of glass. The raw glass material comes from different parts of the world including the United States, Italy and the Czech Republic. Once the raw material is imported into Mexico and delivered to the Gorilla Glass production studio, we transform it into jewelry by re-melting the glass on a torch, in a furnace or kiln, or carve it into jewelry using lapidary equipment.
What is dichroic glass?
Dichroic is not a glass type in itself, but rather a coating applied to a glass sheet or object. Technically speaking, dichroic is a multi-layer coating of vaporized quartz crystal and metal oxides fused on the surface of glass in a special vacuum chamber. The main characteristic of dichroic glass is that it has a transmitted color and a completely different reflective color as certain wavelengths of light either pass through or are reflected. Furthermore, these two colors shift depending on the angle of view. In other words, dichroic glass reflects a range of dazzling colors depending on the angle of the light to the glass surface! Dichroic glass was originally created for the aerospace industry for coating satellite mirrors, but it now has many technical and artistic applications.
What are the metal hooks in Gorilla Glass earrings made of?
The earring hooks are made of niobium, a highly biocompatible and colorful metal.
Does Gorilla Glass make in-between gauge sizes?
Yes! Simple Plugs are now available in intermediate sizes through our shopping cart. Using our intermediate size plugs will ensure the best possible stretching and healing experience for your customers.
If you are interested in having other styles made with in-between sizes, let us know about your special request at info@gorillaglassgermany.de.
What is the difference between Wearable Length, Total Length and Overall Length?
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Total Length refers to the size measured starting from the back of the flare to the end of the plug.
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Wearable Length is the length of the piece that will be in contact with your ear lobes.
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Overall Length is the length of the whole plug, including the front of the plug.
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Usually, the Total Length of a plug is the Wearable Length +3mm. These +3mm allow space for the o-ring.
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For example, our standard Wearable Length is 9mm (3/8”) with a corresponding Total Length of 12mm (1/2”).
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Additionally, the Overall Length including the front of a 9mm plug is 16mm (5/8”).
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To avoid confusion, we prefer that you order custom pieces by indicating the Total Length.
People with thicker earlobes may need a longer wearable length. People with thinner earlobes or for cartilage piercings you may want a shorter wearable length. We offer two different lengths of Color Front Plugs and Simple Plugs so that you have a choice according to your preference as a professional piercer. We also offer single flare plugs with a gentle groove to help secure the o-ring. We are happy to make custom lengths on plugs for a small custom fee.
What are the dimensions of a custom labret?
We are aware of how important it is to have the perfect length on your piercing jewelry. There are 3 dimensions to consider when ordering a custom labret: The Total Length the post, the flare size and your gauge size.
Our standard labret Total Length is ½” (12.7mm), but we are happy to make custom lengths for a small custom fee. Usually, the size of the base is your piercing diameter +3mm per side of the oval shape. This length can also be modified according to your preference as a professional piercer.
If the length of the post or the size of the is not specified we will make them to our standard size.