Buying an engagement ring or a wedding ring has never been an easy task. Unlike other pieces of jewellery, it’s a promise and a sign of your commitment to your soul mate. But when you have to buy a ring for someone with sensitive skin, the process becomes even harder. However, understanding what metal alloys cause a reaction saves you the trouble of buying a ring made from allergy-causing metals.
Metals to Avoid
Jewellery manufacturers understand that some people are allergic to certain metals and alloys. As a result invest in hypoallergenic engagement and wedding rings. However, some metals are well known for causing skin reactions and they include:
- Copper – This metal is actually hypoallergenic. Known for making beautiful jewellery, this metal is very soft and extra-malleable. Copper is often reinforced using nickel, which can cause allergic reactions. Traces of copper are found in all rose gold.
- Nickel – When nickel comes into contact with water and sweat, it reacts to produce a certain type of salt which causes skin irritation. None of our metals contain nickel. Many rings from outside Europe contain nickel.
- Lead – This metal is known to cause serious skin reactions even if the ring has the tiniest amount of lead in it. None of our rings contain lean. Many rings mass produced contain lead – used as a mixing allow with platinum.
Intensity of Skin Sensitivity Due to Extended Wear
The salt nickel creates after reacting with body fluids makes it the leading culprit. This means that the more you wear jewellery made from this metal alloy, the more intense the allergic reaction will be.
Plated jewellery is also a culprit. The plate from the metal will wear off after a long time. This exposes the metal beneath, which is usually reinforced using nickel. As a result, you can start experiencing reactions that were not present initially.
Ways to Prevent Allergic Reactions
Buying hypoallergenic jewellery can help to prevent allergic reactions if you have sensitive skin. However, before you embark on a search for reaction-free jewellery, consider doing any of the following to ease the reactions.
- Stick to hypoallergenic jewellery or substitute it with other materials such as platinum, sterling silver, plastic, or 14 karat gold.
- Take your jewellery to the jeweller for re-plating if it has worn-out.
- Buy hypoallergenic palladium-alloyed jewellery. Palladium is closely related to platinum but it’s cheaper. When palladium is mixed with white gold, skin reactions are known to occur.
- Avoid purchasing jewellery made from metals that irritate your skin.
- Clean your ring with hot water and washing up liquid – this removes dirt and can help.
It is always good to be on the safe side in this situation. Choose jewellery made from metals that are less likely to cause an allergic reaction. Also, don’t assume that an expensive engagement ring or wedding ring equates to hypoallergenic. Instead, do your research before making a purchase.
Here at Bespoke Diamonds we offer the choice of platinum, palladium, white gold, yellow gold and rose gold.
If you would like to book an appointment please contact us at info@bespokediamonds.ie or call 01-6855800.
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