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Allergic to White Gold engagement ring, what to do?

Hello all, I am newly engaged and I have currently been wearing my white gold engagement ring for only 1 week and have assumed a nice rash around my finger. I knew offhand I have a reaction to most jewelery but didn't think I would to white gold. Now I can either exchange my ring in for yellow gold which they tell me I won't react too or I can pay another 600 bucks to go to platinum. For a person like me with very sensitive skin which would be the best route? I like the look of the white with my diamond setting but want something I will be happy with down the road in 5 years

kristin cleniuk
consumer - calgary, ab, canada
November 4, 2008

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Hi, Kristin. Please see our FAQ on Rhodium Plating and White Gold as it will answer many of your potential questions in tutorial fashion.

Jewelry gold is about half gold and half other metals. If those other metals are copper and silver, the jewelry remains yellow. To make white gold, the pure yellow gold is mixed with either palladium or nickel. It is probably the nickel you are allergic to. You'll probably find no allergy to either yellow gold or platinum or nickel-free white gold (although I can't guarantee it, of course).

Today, most white gold has a plating of rhodium on it, and if your ring is brilliantly, dazzlingly white, that is the case. You will not get that dazzling look from yellow gold or from platinum, and if that is what you want, the route to it with freedom from nickel allergy is to get a rhodium plated white gold ring that contains only gold and palladium, no nickel. Some jewelers will not know what you are talking about, but some will. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
November 5, 2008

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