| More and more people are finding they are allergic | | | | reaction is not really to the gold itself, but to the |
| to certain precious metals, specifically nickel alloys | | | | nickel that is in the chemical composition of gold. |
| used in many gold engagement rings and | | | | This reaction is caused by a sensitivity to nickel |
| everyday jewelry. The most common symptom | | | | that builds up over time. Women begin wearing |
| of nickel allergy is contact dermatitis, causing | | | | jewelry at a much earlier age than men and are |
| itching, redness, and blisters. This article gives | | | | more prone to allergic reactions, however with |
| reviews different hypoallergenic rings. | | | | the increase in body piercing popularity in both |
| Buying an engagement ring is when most people | | | | sexes, the number of men effected by nickel is |
| begin to learn more about jewelry, or learn more | | | | on the rise too. |
| of what they don't know. With the so many | | | | Can I Buy A Gold Ring without Nickel? |
| options, price points and places the buy rings, it | | | | Most engagement and wedding rings have |
| may seem as though you're spinning in circles. | | | | traditionally been made of 14k or 18k gold. The |
| More often than not, people think only of price, | | | | reason for this is while 24k gold is pure, it is |
| quality and style when buying an engagement ring | | | | extremely soft. Wedding rings and everyday |
| or wedding rings. But, the single most important | | | | jewelry are exposed to water, sweat, scratches |
| aspect should be the elements. More and more | | | | and dings that 24k gold can't stand up against. |
| people are finding they are allergic to certain | | | | The other elements that are contained in 14k or |
| precious metals, specifically nickel alloys used in | | | | 18k gold for both gold and white gold include |
| many gold engagement rings and everyday | | | | different alloys such as silver, zinc, copper, and |
| jewelry. The most common symptom of nickel | | | | nickel. It's these other alloys that cause the allergic |
| allergy is contact dermatitis, causing itching, | | | | reactions, nickel being the biggest culprit. Nickel is |
| redness, and blisters. Not exactly what you want | | | | added to make gold more durable, so if you try |
| to propose to your life partner. | | | | to buy a 24k gold ring, it will be pure but it won't |
| According to the June 2007 Issue of Dermatology | | | | be very durable. |
| Nursing, "an estimated 20% of women and 4% | | | | How Do I Ensure My Engagement Ring Won't |
| of men are affected by contact dermatitis." | | | | Cause A Rash? |
| These numbers may seem nominal, but since | | | | There are many options in hypoallergenic jewelry. |
| 1980 these cases have doubled. | | | | Platinum and titanium rings are not only beautiful |
| Precious Metals & Engagement Rings - What's in | | | | alternatives to gold, but they are more pure. |
| my Ring? | | | | What's the Difference Between Platinum and |
| Precious metals used in jewelry are comprised of | | | | Titanium Rings? |
| metal alloys which are mixtures of various | | | | Platinum - Platinum is known for being the rarest |
| elements including hydrogen, oxygen, copper, | | | | and the heaviest of the precious metals. It's also |
| niobium, nickel, iron and gold. Traditionally, | | | | the most expensive. It's typically 90-95% pure |
| engagement rings have been made of gold. White | | | | and weighs twice as much as gold. It doesn't |
| gold, sterling silver, platinum and newer metals like | | | | tarnish like gold and doesn't loose its luster over |
| tungsten and titanium have made their way onto | | | | time. Platinum is durable but it can be scratched. |
| the jewelry scene both for reasons of style, but | | | | There are many positives for platinum, but it's not |
| also to address allergic reactions. | | | | for everyone. Price is a barrier to many, and |
| I've Worn Gold Before - Why Am I Allergic Now? | | | | some women while they admire the rare and |
| Many people, especially women, have found that | | | | expensive qualities of platinum, the weight on their |
| their skin has a reaction to gold jewelry. This | | | | finger gets tiresome over time. |