When women say they are allergic to metals why is it never gold or silver ?

Answer 1

I know people who are allergic to silver. I can't wear gold earrings, I get infections. So, I guess there goes your dumb theory.

Answer 2

Some women are just allergic to a certain metal but not another, I'm allergic to generic metals (not gold or silver, but the fake stuff).

Answer 3

Pure gold is hypoallergenic and does not cause allergic reactions in anyone, since gold is chemically non-reactive. Any reactions caused by pure gold are entirely psychosomatic. However, 24c gold is almost never used in jewelry (far too soft). It is most commonly alloyed with silver, to keep up the feeling of it being a precious metal. Sillver is highly reactive, as are all other metals. Gold just happens to exist in that perfect right spot on the periodic table for its inertness. It is these metals that people who are 'allergic to metal' are reacting to.

Answer 4

Those who Claim an allergy are wearing those metals Plated over others to which they are allergic. Gold isn't reactive and doesn't tarnish(oxidize). Silver can be and it isn't the silver people are allergic to, it's the silver that has tarnished. A way around the allergies is to coat the metal in a clear lacquer, even clear fingernail polish. If the skin doesn't touch the metal there is no reaction. if there is a reaction after that the problem may be psychosomatic.

Answer 5

Okay, this is coming from a jeweler, people.

People can be and are allergic to several types of precious metal. Most people with metal allergies are allergic to nickel or zinc, so costume or plated jewelry are out of the question. That's why babies with pierced ears always have gold earrings; it's less irritating...to most. However, there are instances when you can't wear gold. I have found that I can wear sterling silver, and 18K gold. But 14K turns my finger black. It's not fake jewelry people, it's real. But there's a theory that hyperthyroidism can cause a chemical imbalance that ensures you can't wear certain metals.

Usually silver is the irritating one. Why? Because silver's an alloy, made with copper and, you guessed it, nickel. Those are what make silver tarnish to begin with. Gold's the same way, just not in the same proportions. So, the lower the karat, the lower the content. I've met some people who can wear nothing BUT silver; the chemicals in their bodies literally EAT through the softer gold.

The problem of gold allergies usually effects the ears, since the gold is all the way through your body, with nowhere to go. With rings, bracelets and necklaces, your clothes, sweat, and the air make it not quite so irritating. You can tell when you have an infection, too. Your ears will get sore, for no apparent reason. They become red and slightly puffy. The earrings are hard to take out, and it's probably gonna be gross, since infection=pus.

If you have a problem like this, experiment. If gold bothers you, try silver. But if the gold is causing an infection, silver probably won't help. Those hypo-allergenic earrings may work, but that's iffy. If they don't, you're out of luck. You are simply not going to be able to wear that sort of jewelry without consequences. If you're willing to deal with it, your call.

Oh, and never, ever coat your jewelry with clear fingernail polish. Whatever idiot came up with that needs to be shot. All it does is negatively effect the value of the jewelry, since no one's going to buy a ring coated in some worn nasty polish. Which begins to flake off relatively quickly, for those of you who don't wear it. Just think of the normal wear your jewelry goes through. You coat it, and you dull the finish, damage the stones, chains kink up REAL easy, and you NEVER want to coat earrings with this, because that stuff can flake off INSIDE your EARS, and cause MASSIVE infection.

Answer 6

Many people are allergic to gold or silver, it's not impossible. My mom is allergic to silver.

Answer 7

I know a woman who is allergic to silver.
I'm sure some are allergic to gold as well.
HOwever, the cheaper metals are usaully at fault.Probably some chemicals involved n the processing.

Answer 8

many women r allergic to gold and silver

Answer 9

My mother is allergic to gold, all gold. If we decide to get her jewelry..it always has to be silver or platinum.....she breaks out anywhere the gold touches her. And Copper makes my skin turn green...I used to think it was just from cheap jewelry, but it seems most cheaper stuff is copper with plating over it. Now I know not to wear it anymore......now my husband has to buy me the good stuff.....lol

Answer 10

Gold alloys do not cause allergies in the higher carat range because of the type of metal it is. Silver can on occasion.