Gold Plated Metal Allergy

Plating is quite common in the jewelry world with gold and rhodium being two popular types.

Gold plated metal allergy.

The exact cause of a gold allergy is unknown but symptoms occur when your immune system becomes sensitive to the metal. Nickel allergy is a condition in which contact with items containing nickel causes an itchy rash and possibly blisters at the site of contact. Anything less than 24k gold is an alloy meaning that it is mixed with another metal. If jewelry set in rose gold doesn t bother you alloys might be one of the few ways you can enjoy the look of copper jewelry.

The top photo shows a positive patch test on the left after a patch containing nickel was left on the skin for 48 hours. It is rare that a company will tell you what the alloyed metals are and for that reason it is risky to purchase gold earrings if you have sensitive ears. Gold is a great hypoallergenic option. Gold plating is a process where a thin layer of gold is bonded onto a base metal.

As someone who has a metal allergy i often overlook the jewelry section when i make my shopping rounds. If you are allergic to copper you may also be allergic to metal alloys that include copper like the ever so popular rose gold which contains a mixture of gold and copper to achieve its pinkish hue. It means that 24 out of 24 karats are made of pure gold. The lower photo shows nickel allergy from metal in clothing such as a belt buckle.

Being allergic to other types of metal as well as having a family history. In less expensive jewellery nickel is often used in the base metal which is then plated with gold or silver. White gold may contain nickel. This process was invented by an italian chemist luigi brugnatelli in 1805 the first person to plate a thin coat of gold onto silver.

24kt gold is the highest karat count it is pure gold. For example while certain jewelry may be described as gold plated or nickel free these pieces can still contain nickel alloys or a mixture of metals underneath the surface according to lily. Below are some other types of metal that are hypoallergenic and would be great options for those who experience allergic reactions. Ask a jeweler about having it plated in a less allergic metal such as.

Gold plated gold filled or gold overlay vermeil jewelry is not acceptable for sensitive ear piercings. If it s not 100 percent sterling silver or minimum 14 karat gold it s probably going to. Jewellery allergy is a common cause of contact allergic dermatitis.