"When Your Partner Is Allergic to a Metal"
Newly married or just engaged – and your body reacts allergically to your partner's precious gift. While this sounds unfortunate, it can become reality if one partner develops an allergy to a component of the ring's alloy. But how does an allergic reaction occur, which materials are problematic, and what can you do about it?
No One Dreams of This
The marriage vows were sealed with beautiful and sparkling wedding rings, and after a few hours, the skin around the ring begins to itch uncomfortably and turns red. There's no alternative: the ring must come off.
The bride has just accepted a marriage proposal and received a wonderful proposal ring. Just a few hours later, she discovers that the piece of jewelry brings unpleasant side effects. Where does the allergic reaction to the ring come from?
1. The Composition of a Ring
Rings always contain only a certain percentage of gold or silver – depending on which type you choose. This means: you never find these precious metals in their pure form in a ring. If that were the case, the rings would be damaged too quickly because in their pure form they are simply too soft. The alloy indicates how much pure gold or silver is contained in the jewelry in relation to other materials.
In a gold ring with an alloy of 333, 585, or 750, either 33%, 58%, or 75% pure gold is contained. Other materials are mixed with the respective gold content – for example, copper, platinum, palladium, nickel (not common in Germany), or cobalt. These additives determine the color and provide the hardness of the rings. However, they can also trigger an allergy.
2. What Are You Allergic To?
In rare cases, there is an intolerance to gold and silver themselves. Other affected individuals react allergically to copper, nickel, or cobalt. It is well known that many people are sensitive to nickel. Depending on the composition and coloring, one material may be present in greater quantities – and this can trigger an allergy.
An intolerance to a wedding or engagement ring manifests itself through itchy skin, pain at the affected area, and possibly through open sores.
Engagement Rings in All Styles
Suitable Alloys for Allergy Sufferers
| Alloy | Description |
|---|---|
| Platinum 950/- / 999/- | Platinum is hypoallergenic and is well tolerated by most people. It is a good choice for people with nickel allergies. 999/- is the better choice, but is very rare among manufacturers. |
| Fine Gold 999/- | Very suitable, but unfortunately not widely available among manufacturers. |
| 750/- Gold / 18 Karat Gold | 18 karat gold consists of 75% pure gold and is less likely to trigger allergic reactions than lower karat values. However, we repeatedly experience that this alloy is not suitable for every skin type. Here you should clarify with the manufacturer how the alloy is composed. |
| Palladium 950/- | Palladium is a hypoallergenic alternative to white gold and contains no nickel. It is a good choice for people with nickel allergies. |
| Titanium | Titanium is hypoallergenic and is often used in medical implants. It is a good choice for people with sensitive skin. |
| Tantalum | Very suitable. |
Unsuitable Alloys for Allergy Sufferers
| Alloy | Description |
|---|---|
| Platinum 600 | Platinum alloys with low platinum content are not suitable for allergy sufferers. |
| 333/- / 375/- / 585/- | Alloys with low gold content are not suitable for allergy sufferers. This applies to all colors: white gold, yellow gold, red gold & rose gold. |
| 500/- Palladium | Palladium mixtures with low palladium content are not suitable. |
| 925/- Silver | Not suitable. |
3. What You Can Do as an Allergy Sufferer
Get Good Advice When Purchasing Your Ring
Ideally, you are aware beforehand that you have an intolerance to certain materials. However, this is usually only noticed if you wear jewelry frequently. Women have it easier here because they typically wear jewelry more often than men. A nickel allergy in particular would be noticed quickly. It could also become apparent with trouser buttons or belt buckles, which often contain copper among other materials, that you have an intolerance. If you know that you react sensitively to jewelry, you should ideally have an allergy test done by your doctor. The test is quick, and you'll have certainty about possible allergies.
When selecting your ring, you should make sure to get good advice. After all, you want to wear this piece of jewelry with great significance for a lifetime without any inconveniences. Experts provide tips on the right wedding ring and pay attention to the limitations that your allergy brings. If you haven't reacted allergically so far, it's still wise to arrange a return option with the jeweler in case of intolerance.
Which Material Is Suitable for an Allergy to Your Ring?
If you have an allergy to materials added to an alloy, you should pay particular attention to choosing the highest possible purity level for the alloy. This ensures that a large portion of the ring consists of pure precious metal. It is also advisable to choose single-colored rings, because the more color tones a piece of jewelry has, the more diverse its composition. Accordingly, the risk of reacting sensitively to one of the materials is higher.
In general, 950 platinum rings are a good option for allergy sufferers. At 95%, this is the highest possible platinum content. This makes the alloy ideal as a ring for allergy sufferers. The added materials are also usually well tolerated by people with contact allergies. Titanium rings are also considered low-allergy.
Titanium is somewhat less expensive than platinum and has a stylishly dark gray tone. In terms of care and durability, this material is considered uncomplicated and robust, with a stylish, high-quality appearance.
What Can You Do If You Develop an Allergy to Your Ring?
The first and logical consequence: the wedding ring must come off. As painful as it is, it's important – otherwise the reaction will worsen and you may develop a permanent problem. The next step should be a visit to your family doctor. An allergy test can determine your exact allergies, and you'll have certainty. By the way: sometimes there is the possibility of returning the wedding or engagement ring. Otherwise, you need to consider how to proceed. It may be that you need to purchase a new wedding or engagement ring tailored to your intolerance. While this is unfortunate, this piece of jewelry is an important symbol of marriage with lifelong significance.
However, if you don't want to part with your special piece of jewelry, there is an alternative option in case of allergy: having the wedding ring coated by a jeweler. This is intended to prevent your skin from reacting to the materials it contains. Whether and to what extent this makes sense should be clarified with your jeweler. In case of a strong allergic reaction, however, the coating is unlikely to provide satisfactory solutions.
