Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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What jewelry won't give me allergic reactions like Nickel does

Hi my name is Margo and I am in eleventh grade. In my chemistry class right now I am doing research on what causes people to have an allergic reaction to nickel. I myself am one of those people. I have redness and itchiness where my belt buckle is and where my pants button is. It is also nearly impossible for me to go to a store and buy earrings without them costing an outrageous amount. I would really like to know what is a "safe" kind of metal to be wearing and what is not. Also what is the difference between those metals that make you have the allergic reaction or not. I would greatly appreciate a reply to this question.

Thanks again.

Margo Y.
student - Brattleboro, Vermont, USA
2005

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2005

In much of the world, Margo, jewelry must be nickel-free by law. Not so in the USA. Although you will hopefully get the technical answers you are looking for, it isn't easy to say generically what metal is nickel free and what isn't. White gold can be nickel-free, but usually it isn't; titanium can be nickel-free, but sometimes it isn't; stainless steel should be non-allergenic, but sometimes it isn't.

We have located two internet stores with a firm nickel-free guarantee, though. Simply Whispers is a women's jewelry store that sells only non-allergenic jewelry, and I see earrings there for $3 to $9 a pair in their sale category. Nonickel.com sells belts, watches, specialty items and a small collection of jewelry; they also offer a nickel test kit.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

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Ted is right. The most common cause of your complaint is an allergy to nickel. In Europe it is illegal to sell jewelry that contains nickel, so modern European jewelry won't give you a problem. However, it is a long way to come just to buy jewelry, and will become expensive. I suggest you look for a jewelry supplier in the USA that can guarantee their products are nickel free. I sympathize with your problem, but can only offer you good luck.

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
2005

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Sterling silver (99.9% silver) usualy doesn't affect people with nickel allergies, and it can be had moderately cheaply (think about $15-$20 for earrings).

Marc Banks
- Elizabeth City, North Carolina
2005