i am all of a sudden allergic to my engagement ring?

Question

it is white gold and i have had it about a year, i am okay with yellow gold though, if i wear the white gold ring, my finger swells and gets really itchy and the skin cracks.
I know that white gold is made of different stuff, so what do you think i am allergic too?

Answer 1

1st of all CONGRATS on your engagement and pending nuptuals. I have been in the jewelery business for eight years. There are a few possibilities.

1st, the ladies above are right that water under the ring from when you wash your hands, as well as other dirt and cosmetics, could be causing your reaction. Is your ring tighter now then when you first recieved it? Is it too tight on your finger? Sizing is a possible solution.

2nd, white gold and yellow gold used to be smelted differently. Is this ring a hand-me-down from mom or grandma? If so, it is most likely a nikel allergy that you have, as older wg rings are smelted with nikel, sterling silver, and other metals. The solution to this is to place a rhodium finish on the inside of the shank. The rhodium will wear, but since rhodium is a hypo-allergenic metal, you will not have an allergic reaction to it.

3rd, if it is not a hand-me-down, then what matters is the karat of the gold. 10 and 14 karat could cause your reaction, whilst an 18k could not. I had a customer with a similar situation that we changed her solitaire diamond from a 14k mounting to an 18k mounting, and it solved the problem. If your ring is not a solitaire, this is a problem.

4th, Let us assume that it is a bridal/engagement ring style ring in 14k wg, just bought. i would see if it is available in y/g, and if so , go with y/g.

You have many solutions to your problem. Talk with your salesperson and have them help you resolve the situation.

GL!

Answer 2

The most common metal allergy is nickel. You can test your metal items to see if they contain nickel by obtaining a nickel-testing kit from your dermatologist or pharmacist. The kit consists of two small bottles of clear fluid; one contains dimethylglyoxime and the other ammonium hydroxide. When mixed together in the presence of nickel, a pink colour results.

Apply a drop from each bottle on to the metal item to be tested - first try it on a 10 cent coin. Use a cotton bud to rub gently - observe the colour on the bud. If it remains clear, the item has no free nickel and will not cause dermatitis. If it is pink it contains nickel and may cause problems if the metal touches your skin. The chemicals will not harm your jewellery.

I would also avoid the "white gold" as it contains obvious impurities. Tell your boyfriend you're worth a real gold ring!

Answer 3

I worked selling jewellery for 15 yrs and did encounter this problem, and most of the time found it wasnt the metal of the ring that caused the rash, it is the reaction of your own body heat that makes the problem, it is actually called "ring exzema"I would take off the ring until it heals and than before putting it back use a little protective cream under it, make sure the ring fits properly, if its loose and moves around a lot, it causes friction and since the skin in that area is sensitive it actually rubs the area and causes the problem.

Answer 4

It could be soap or something that you're using, might get stuck under your ring when you wash your hands? If you use a bar of soap this can happen. Prolonged contact might give you a rash whereas just washing with it won't.

I know you really won't want to do this with your wedding ring, but when I had a cheap ring that turned my finger green I put some clear nail varnish on the inside and this formed a barrier between the metal and my skin. I don't know if this might damage your ring though.

Answer 5

white gold isn't made from different stuff the difference being that white gold is actually yellow gold bleached. eventually you will see your ring tarnish. the only metal that doesn't do this is platinum. the jewellery shop that you got yuour ring from should have told you this. try eumovate on your finger as it could just be water getting under your ring and not drying your hands properly after washing.

Answer 6

My skin has reactions to certain levels of gold jewelry. I can't wear anything above a 10kt, or my skin does the same. Now, when we first got married, we had the wide bands, and my skin did not do well with the wide bands. I had to leave it off, more than on. We had to buy skinny wedding bands to replace our wide bands. My skin does so much better with a skinnier band. I even wear my anniversary ring with it, and no reaction. So, if you have a wide band, get a skinny one, or try different levels of gold.

Answer 7

if its solid white gold your fingure shouldnt be doing that. silver does that alot to peoples fingures, and so does nickel. maybe you should have your ring checked out to see if its real. and if its not maybe u need a new fiance. if it turns out to be real, try using cortizone on your fingure with the ring off for a few days and then put ur ring back on, and if it does it again, you might be having a rare reaction to the metal, and u might want to get a platnium ring instead of gold. good luck!

Answer 8

Try to coat the inside of the ring with clear nail polish. Ask a jewler if it's real gold, maybe it was onlya thin coat of gold and it's worn off. The jewler should be able to apply some more permanent solution.

Answer 9

I think you may be allergic to or react to things being caught under your ring. Whether it be just water trapped between your skin and ring or detergents, foods, soaps can cause a reaction. Rinse under your ring and thoroughly dry. See how you go.

Answer 10

Is ıt defınıtely gold? Where dıd you buy ıt? If ıt ıs from a reputable jeweller ıt should be genuıne otherwıse ıt may be another metal that has just been treated to look lıke whıte gold. Check for a hallmark or ask ın a jewellers ıf they can check ıt for you. You shouldnt be havıng a reactıon.