Have you ever heard of someone developing an allergy to gold?

Question

My wedding ring and engagement ring are leaving a red scaley rash on my fingers. :-( Should I have them reset in platinum, or is it likely I'd be allergic to that, too? (Do they have any of the same "filler" metals)?

Answer 1

Gold itself doesn't cause allergy. If it does, then it's not Gold.

Probably not, that is not gold itself. What people occasionally have is an allergy to the nickel content in gold alloys, usually in the alloy rich 9ct golds. 9ct alloys go dull or even black from the exposure to chemicals in the atmosphere and also may discolour from contact with perspiration, bleach, household chemicals and some fabrics.


Detergents and other chemicals lodge between rings and the skin causing problems, particularly hairspray, beauty and cleaning products. Antiperspirants exacerbate metal allergy problems. It has been suggested that the sweat of a healthy person after exercise contains 18 times the nickel content of blood. The antiperspirant reduces the bodies natural way of eliminating heavy metals and can lead to a build up in intensity, which causes a higher concentration in the sweat than is normal.

The most common type of allergy we encounter is a phantom allergy, caused by a noticeable desire to upgrade to 18ct or platinum!. As nickel and zinc are not used in 18ct alloy, just silver and copper, it is less likely to produce any kind of allergy related problems. What a good excuse!

Tarnishing of Gold

Possible causes include:
Perspiration (everyone's body chemistry is different, hence this is why some are more susceptible than others); for women, the time of the month can influence their body chemistry.

Perfume, hair or deodorant sprays,

Tarnishing during storage (storage boxes may contain organic sulphur compounds),

Leaching of acid/ cleaning solutions from surface microporosity from cast jewellery; this causes corrosion locally (such porosity may even trap perspiration during wear, causing local corrosion)

Preparation of vegetables such as onions and spices (many foodstuffs contain sulphur compounds and others are also acidic).


Another possible mechanism may be surface micro-porosity on the surface of investment (lost wax) cast items. This porosity may trap acids and other cleaning solutions, sprays, or perspiration and cause a local corrosion which 'creeps' over the surface of the item.

The tarnish films formed are generally harmless although unsightly and may lead to a black smudging of the skin. Such films can be easily polished off by a jeweller to restore the bright gold colour.

Possible solutions to the problem include:


Store jewellery in a pouch or bag in a dry atmosphere (unpolluted, e.g. by exhaust fumes, solvent vapours, where possible).


If stored in a box or pouch or plastic bag, ensure it is free of sulphur-containing compounds (from solvents, fabric treatments, adhesives, etc.).


Polish jewellery regularly with a soft cloth to remove any early tarnish films, perspiration and other contaminants (sprays, etc). Clean after wear and do not put on perfume, deodorants, sprays, etc whilst wearing the jewellery

Answer 2

When I first had my ears pierced at the age of 13, I found out quickly I was allergic to 14K gold. My ears would turn red and drain. Later, I developed keloids. During my teen years my watches and rings would turn my finger and wrist red/green/black. I was told it had something to do with mercury in the jewelry. I fortunately love silver and white gold and have outgrown the yellow gold problem. Perhaps some sort of guard can be placed around your wedding set so there is a barrier between the rings and your finger. Good Luck!

Answer 3

It's probably the filler metal you're allergic to- as you suspect. I know one gal who can't wear most gold because of the rhodium finish. A knowledgable jeweler should be able to help you with non-allergenic pieces.

Good luck, Melissa. I would be miserable too, if I couldn't wear my wedding rings.

Answer 4

Go get tested at an allergist and make sure first. Im allergic to almost all metals! I even have problems with some of my beloved Tiffany & Co.

Answer 5

yes, my mother could not where gold (The yellow gold actually) she would break out in rashes and her fingers would swell. So now she just wheres white gold or silver.

Answer 6

Filler metals can get you - like nickel

Answer 7

my mom had that problem too. she couldnt wear any gold at all she could wear silver but not gold.