What metal causes most jewellery allergies?

Nickel is the most common cause. It's often used as an alloying metal in white gold rather than as a standalone metal, which is why a piece can cause a reaction even if it's described simply as gold.

Is platinum safe for sensitive skin?

Generally yes. Platinum is naturally hypoallergenic for most people and doesn't rely on nickel as an alloy, making it typically the lowest-risk choice among fine jewellery metals.

Does higher karat gold reduce allergy risk?

Generally yes, since higher karat gold contains less alloy metal. 18K gold is a reasonable middle ground for mild sensitivity, while 14K and 10K contain more alloy and carry somewhat higher risk.

Why did my white gold ring start irritating my skin after a while, when it didn't at first?

White gold is typically rhodium plated, and that plating acts as a barrier over the alloy underneath. As the plating wears down over time, nickel-sensitive wearers may start noticing irritation that wasn't there when the ring was new.

Metal Allergies & Sensitive Skin: Choosing a Ring Metal

If a ring or a pair of earrings has ever left your skin red, itchy, or irritated, you're not imagining it, and you're also not alone. Metal sensitivity is common, and it's worth understanding before you commission a ring you'll be wearing every day, not after. This is general information, not medical advice; if you have a known or suspected metal allergy, it's worth discussing with a doctor or dermatologist, especially before wearing anything for extended periods against your skin.

Nickel is usually the culprit

Nickel allergy is one of the most common metal sensitivities, and it's frequently the reason a piece of jewellery causes irritation. The tricky part is that nickel is often not the main metal at all. It shows up as an alloying ingredient, mixed in with gold or other metals to change their colour, hardness, or cost, which means a ring can trigger a reaction even though it's technically "gold."

Why white gold is the most common trigger

White gold is a gold alloy mixed with white metals to shift its natural yellow tone toward white, and nickel has historically been one of the metals used for this. Depending on the alloy, white gold can contain a meaningful amount of nickel. Many modern white gold formulations use palladium instead, which is far less likely to cause a reaction, but "nickel-free" isn't a universally regulated label, so it's genuinely worth asking your jeweller directly what alloy their white gold uses rather than assuming. It's also worth knowing that white gold is typically rhodium plated, and that plating acts as a barrier layer between your skin and the metal underneath. As the plating wears down over time (something we cover in our guide to rhodium plating), a nickel-sensitive wearer may start noticing irritation months or years into owning a ring that was comfortable when new.

Platinum is generally the safest choice

Platinum is naturally hypoallergenic for most people. It's used in a very pure form in fine jewellery, doesn't rely on nickel as an alloying metal, and is dense and stable enough that it's also used in some medical implants. If sensitivity is a known concern, platinum is usually the lowest-risk starting point among fine jewellery metals. Our platinum vs white gold guide covers the other practical differences, like durability and cost, if you're weighing the two.

Higher karat gold generally means lower risk

Purer gold, meaning a higher karat number, contains less of the alloy metals that can cause a reaction. 24K gold is essentially pure and rarely triggers sensitivity, but it's too soft for most everyday jewellery. 18K gold, which is 75% pure gold, tends to be a reasonable middle ground for people with mild sensitivity, while 14K and 10K gold contain progressively more alloy metal and carry a somewhat higher risk. Our 18K vs 14K gold guide goes into the durability and cost trade-offs of each karat if you're deciding between them.

What to actually do about it

If you already know you react to certain metals, say so clearly at the start of your design consultation rather than after a ring is made. A good jeweller can tell you exactly what alloy is being used and steer you toward platinum or a higher-karat, nickel-free option before anything is crafted. If you're not sure whether you have a sensitivity but have had reactions to costume jewellery in the past, it's worth mentioning that history too, since it's a reasonable early signal.

Metal Allergies and Sensitive Skin: Choosing a Ring Metal That Won't Irritate