The last thing any bride-to-be wants to think about is having a reaction to the most precious piece of jewellery she will own, which is why it is so important to choose hypoallergenic engagement rings if you have an increased sensitivity to metals.
Hypoallergenic rings refer to metal that is known to be safe for those who may have an allergy to nickel. As the metal that causes the biggest chance of allergy, nickel is found in many cheaply made or mass produced rings… even when they are marketed as pure gold. Many allergy sufferers assume that they are allergic to gold or silver, when it is the alloys blended in with the precious metals that cause irritation. Nickel and copper are both often added to other metals to make the rings harder and cheaper to process. Allergic reactions occur as nickel dissolves in water to form salts. Through sweating or washing of hands, these salts pass onto the skin, causing itchy, often painful reactions.
A Mini Guide to Hypoallergenic Engagement Rings
The good news is that you don’t have to suffer to wear your beautiful engagement ring. A few metals are completely hypoallergenic, and there are also a few ways that you can ensure that your ring is not loaded with nickel.
Some tips to keep in mind include the following:
- Determine whether you have an allergy to nickel. If you have ever worn gold plated or poor quality jewellery and found yourself noticing any type of rash, discomfort, pain, itching or redness, you may have an allergy. Symptoms typically manifest within 24 hours after contact and range from mild to severe.
- Wherever possible, choose a pure metal. Gold from 14-karat upwards will usually be free of alloys. Anything below that will often have added nickel in it, which will put you at risk of an allergic reaction. For this reason it is also essential to choose a trusted jeweller who has a solid reputation. A jeweller will also be able to recommend the right metal and help you design your dream ring.
- Avoid coloured metals such as rose gold. As beautiful as rose gold is, it contains large amounts of copper, which is what gives it is rosy hue. Copper is an alloy, which is known to cause reactions in those who have metal allergies. If you love the colour of this metal, you could think about a champagne or chocolate coloured diamond that can be used on a hypoallergenic metal band.
- Consider platinum. One of the purest, strongest and most allergy-friendly metals, platinum is also a beautiful cool toned metal that never dulls. This metal works with diamonds as well as other gem stones, and can be worn without any risk of allergic reaction.
- Consider palladium. Palladium alloys are used instead of rhodium and nickel in white gold, giving an appearance that is much like platinum. This metal is a good choice if you love the look of platinum but have a somewhat lower budget.
Cape Diamonds can help you design your dream ring that is safe to wear even for allergy sufferers. Contact us today to find out more about our custom made hypoallergenic engagement rings.