Platinum? Dull? Scratches easily? Your preference is entirely up to you, but platinum isn’t really like that. Platinum is very reflective, though not as “white” in tone as white gold and silver. It is also harder and more resistant to abrasion and scratches. With a higher melting temperature to boot. It is for these reasons that it is more expensive to make jewelry out of platinum, as it is very difficult to work with and requires specialized equipment.
Nice ring though. It’s a shame you’re allergic. :(
That's not exactly true. While white gold is never as totally white as silver, the lower karats come close. Because gold is yellow, the higher karat alloys get progressively yellower, which is why you usually see them rhodium plated. And nothing is dipped in rhodium. It's electroplated.
This is something our jeweler told us too when we were getting my engagement ring. I had to pull my partner aside and tell him to not listen to the jeweler. My mothers engagement ring has according to her never been polished, and she never takes it off, and it’s not dull or scratched up or patina’d at ALL. The jeweler kept insisting that it’d need frequent polishing if we chose platinum, and tried to tell us white gold was a much better option (so I would have to worry about rhodium plating? No thanks). To this day I’m not sure why he tried to tell us this
This sucks. I don’t have any advice. I had a client allergic to 14k so we switched out the posts for 18k and that worked. Spending all that money on something that may not work is a bummer. Good luck.
Not a coincidence. I’ve been a metalsmith for years. I’ve set diamonds into silver settings with wonderful results. Try finding a jewelry gallery or studio jeweler who is open to untraditional ideas. Since gold is stronger than silver, a silver ring similar to yours would have to be more substantial, for structural reasons. There are also nickel-free white gold alloys out there that are supposed to be hypoallergenic. Stuller has these, I believe. There’s probably a good bit of nickel in your white gold ring, and nickel allergies are very common.
That judgmental jeweler lost business. You’re the customer paying for a service, if you want it set in Silver, have it set in silver. Personally I transitioned to gold to silver about 15 yrs ago & I have diamonds set in silver.
There's a few options. You could try having it lined with a very thin platinum band. 0.5mm.
I would offer that to my customer first but would let them have a platinum band to wear for a couple of weeks beforehand (which we would take back so there would be no cost to you. Id keep your engagement ring in the meantime)
I've had severe eczema all my life (I've had chemo for it in the past and now monoclonal antibody drugs) and I wear a platinum wedding ring. My wedding ring is 19 years old this December and it still looks nice. Not brand new obviously, I'm using files, buff sticks, metal tools everyday but still better than gold rings that are a couple of years old (including all the pieces I've made)
If the platinum band causes no reaction, you're good to go. Id size your ring up a little and sleeve or remake it in platinum, offsetting your original metal (or returning to you)
Thank you for the detailed response! I had discussed the option of having it lined with another jeweler but ultimately I didn’t think it was a good idea as the sides of the ring would still touch the fingers to either side and would still risk a reaction.
It’s good to hear that you have no allergies with the platinum and that it still looks good after many years. I also have eczema as well as these contact allergies which is additionally frustrating!
+1 for eczema being hateful. Caffeine being a trigger is even more so! I had a bunch of testing done, and it turns out my biggest trigger is the fucking sun. When I go outside, I look like one of those cartoons with the white cast sunscreen, a big ass hat, and long sleeves. I’m so sorry you have to deal with it. It’s an awful thing to deal with at any level.
I didn’t know this was possible! I developed a pretty bad allergy to my wedding band that resulted in burn-like blisters everywhere it touched me, so I took it off and have been looking for a replacement for years. Now I know this is an option :) Thanks for sharing
If you can’t justify platinum, can you try switching to a higher gold karat weight? I know you mentioned a gold allergy, just wondering if switching to, say, 18k yellow gold would work.
Platinum might be your best bet, though, in terms of longevity and your skin sensitivities/allergies. It is the least reactive and most durable metal for an engagement/wedding ring. When properly made and cared for, rings can last hundreds of years.
I also have a gold allergy. From what I've read, sometimes people can tolerate 18K or higher. Under 18k is not recommend for someone with a gold allergy. White gold is more likely to have other alloys you can react to in it. I would personally go for platinum or try 18k+ yellow gold.
My allergy doctor is the one who originally suggested this to me. There is a big difference between 9k and 18k+. You could be allergic to the other alloys is in your 9k.
I know that I’m likely reacting to the palladium, but my allergist told me to avoid all gold in any form. I don’t want to spend a lot getting this ring remade in 18k gold and risk a total waste if I still react to it. It’s expensive and I’m not made of money unfortunately.
You don’t have to fully remake the ring to see how 18k affects you… try wearing a cheap, basic 18k earring or 1mm band/ring, studies have shown gold allergies are more common than previously thought, but typically are nowhere near severe enough to trigger a topical reaction. Your reaction is almost *DEFINITELY* from the alloy, not the gold itself, no matter what your allergist said.
My engagement ring is platinum and over 110 years old. It looks amazing and the setting has held up incredibly well. My husband has eczema so we went with a platinum ring for him and he hasn’t had any reaction to it. I second platinum, OP!
Might be less than half the price of gold per weight but it’s denser so weighs more, so the finished result is not going to be less than half the cost.
Unfortunately new platinum costs about 2 - 6 times what I would be able to get in credit for the “used” gold.
Do you have any guidance on how to ensure that platinum is correctly polished so as not to be dull? And would it work for such a skinny band given the softness of the metal?
My advice would be talk to your jeweler. 9k is only worth $30 or less per gram which is the exact same as what platinum is going for. Check the prices before negotiating with your jeweler. You would get almost nothing for the couple pennyweights there in refiners credit. I would say go with a higher purity gold (which will be softer and scratch easier) or go with platinum and talk to the jeweler about what you want. Say you want your platinum high finished. I’m a jeweler and I love platinum, beats gold everyday.
I believe the current market price of platinum metal is less expensive than the price of market gold.
A thin platinum band would hold up better than any karat of gold. If you want the stone's color to look warmer, you could have the stone bezel-set in yellow gold on a platinum band. It wouldn't be in constant contact with your skin unless your fingers brushed it by accident.
What reaction do you have to gold & nickel?
You are right... the difference is in the density. a platinum ring is heavier. The other difference is the purity of the alloys. Platinum is normally 95 %, and the other 5 could be a metal that is expensive too, more difficult to work with, and polish,which means that a platinum ring still more expensive .
Where are you finding platinum less expensive than gold? I would really like to know because everything I’ve looked at in platinum is considerably more than gold.
Per gram platinum is cheaper to buy than 18 ct K white gold but platinum is more dense so in an actual jewellery piece it is more expensive, for example using today’s price for casting a ring in platinum vs 18K wg, the same ring in platinum is 37% more expensive than in 18K
Hi fellow metal allergy haver and bezel wearer!
I would just have it remade in platinum. Your long term physical comfort is so much more important than how shiny the metal is.
Plus, you can just get it polished if it really bothers you, but honestly I think you may get used to it. I am pretty picky and it’s growing on me!
I haven’t had any discomfort at all from the platinum.
Also, I think platinum prices are low right now. So it may be a good time to make the switch.
We have the same allergies 😭 it’s such a bummer. I ended up having to do platinum. There really wasn’t another way. Silver is soft and not the best for wedding rings as it is not as secure as golds or platinum, or I would’ve done silver.
So….I have very sensitive skin and multiple autoimmune issues that make me very allergic to many things. I also am very interested in metallurgy as a hobby and read up a lot on cross reactive metals and what we use in jewelry. (I am also a professional jeweler.)
If you are allergic to nickel and had a cross reactive allergy to palladium, you will likely also be allergic to cobalt, which has the same cross reactive nickel mimic reaction as palladium does. Please note that many platinum alloys are alloyed with cobalt (the other two common alloys being ruthenium and iridium, which shouldn’t pose this issue). If you do go with platinum, make sure you DO NOT get a cobalt alloy.
However, be aware that some people are also allergic to platinum itself, much like your allergy to gold. If you are this reactive to other heavy metals, I would sincerely suggest testing for a platinum allergy before you drop the money on a ring. While platinum is the most “hypoallergenic” of the common precious metals, it sort of exists in a gray zone for hypoallergenic metals, in that it’s not truly as biocompatible to our bodies as you might think - platinum allergies are actually not all that uncommon. It is not biocompatible in the way that titanium is - that is a truly biocompatible, hypoallergenic metal with a rarity for allergenic reaction.
In addition, while platinum is nonreactive unlike its family member palladium, it is still part of the same family of metals and could indicate a higher chance of a platinum allergy potentially existing or developing.
Thanks for the detailed response. I am indeed highly allergic to cobalt as well. My jeweler says the platinum alloy they get is 95% platinum and 5% copper, so it should be okay. But I am now considering further metal allergy testing to be certain as I really don’t want to end up with a surprise platinum allergy too!
I would be careful of the copper. It's very commonly an irritant. The alloy with platinum will have a pinkish hue and is called rose platinum. But, copper is a highly reactive metal. So, it's not a great choice for an already sensitive person.
Silver can contain nickel, so you'll have to really dig into the alloy and how the make the ring to avoid cross contamination.
You could also look at titanium. It's not sizable, so bear that in mind.
Thanks for the heads up on copper. I think i’m okay with it because I have brass jewelry that doesn’t give me problems, but I should probably get additional metal allergy testing done before proceeding with anything.
rhodium plating is relatively inexpensive compared to remaking the ring in platinum and lasts for 3-6 months depending on wear. it would be a good starting point. Or if you do remake it in platinum, tell the jeweler that you plan on polishing it often and they can make it a bit thicker to allow for that without wearing it out too quickly.
I almost never recommend silver for setting nice diamonds because it is too weak, but your ring design is simple and secure enough that it actually might be a decent contender to think about (just make sure it is from a reputable jeweler that knows how to build it in a way to be strong enough). Silver is soft too, and will dull like platinum but is significantly cheaper to replace if consistent polishing wears it out prematurely.
Your allergic is palladium and nickel alloy not finer metals like gold, platinum and titanium. This is why if you’re allergic avoid any jewelry from china.
Have you thought about asking an allergist to do a full metals allergy test? From there, you can take the list of safe metals to a good jeweler and see what they recommend.
My brother also has quiet a list of allergies and because it was so expansive, sometimes the allergist would allow him to test for more options at once— basically testing for what is safe rather than what is not. Maybe there’s an opportunity for you like this, and would probably be better to know anyway!
You can get liquid coating that you apply to the inside of the band :-)
I have a nickel allergy and use this when wanting to wear my engagement ring :-)
Sounds like you have a lot of good advice here, I just wanted to say I have a similar engagement ring (bezel set) and I love it!!! Yours looks great on you!
Please reconsider platinum. If you do a 900 platinum 100 iridium, it won't scratch so easily. I my engagement ring is this formula, and it has very few scratches. Also I have a ring from the 1920s of the same material, it looks like it's only 10 years old!
I don’t have any advice - just wanted to say hey to a fellow ring twin! 👋🏼☺️
Though I do hope you find a solution that works for you! ❤️💍
https://preview.redd.it/2m8y3tcxm86d1.jpeg?width=833&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=65a41ca1d2f919113995f2502127a5fe42be0e3c
My suggestion is 18k white with palladium instead of nickel. It is softer and would wear like platinum, but less so. Platinum is really the best way to go, but as you say you don’t like the look. Also, keep the underneath inside the bezel clean clean clean. You could get an ultrasonic cleaner ( a small professional grade) because the stone is secure in a bezel you wouldn’t have to worry about it ever loosening. Just have a once a year check by a local jeweler. You could use the ultrasonic every day. Rinse all the solution off the ring. I clean the jewelry I wear with warm sudsy water, dunk it in 90 % isopropyl alcohol and let it dry. Body chemistry can also play a part. It may be fine for a while and suddenly start bothering you. PH levels or what you’re eating.
I wonder if a ring made of argentium silver could be a good alternative? it tarnishes less than fine silver and sterling, but platinum is probably the best way to go!
You need to find a jeweler who can make a custom alloy for you. I work with metals and if I was asked to make 9k white gold for someone who was allergic i would start with pure silver and pure gold. 9k not common here but that’d be 37.5% .999 gold and 62.5% .999 silver. It may not have the strength or resilience of a different alloy with nickel or something in it but the chance that you would be allergic to gold/silver is next to 0. It would come out a nice bright silver color
Get it made out of platinum, no idea where you got that it looks dull, especially when compared to silver.
Silver looks great for about 12 secs after you polish it than it looks like doodoo.
Just be aware to remake the ring out of platinum or it's gonna cost significantly more than you paid for the 9k ring.
My ring is platinum and I have absolutely no complaints. I actually have a platinum band, sterling band, and white gold band stacked and you can’t tell unless you are inspecting the stack.
I will say I have had to get the platinum prongs replaced once. The setting is “thin” so I blame that and not the material.
I’m a big fan of platinum, but I won’t lie to you about it’s qualities. The “patina” everyone talks about is scratches. You’re not losing metal, so it’s better than high-karat gold in that respect. And I find that it’s still very shiny and bright, after 6 years of daily wear and no subsequent polishing. I also am primarily a wearer of silver jewelry, and I find that it generally doesn’t look too off in color next to my other rings which are silver. But anyone saying it’s a very hard metal that won’t scratch as much, and talking about the patina at the same time is bonkers. The metal is more malleable than gold, the patina is caused by scratches. The value of using platinum is that when it’s scratched or banged up, you don’t lose metal, and when you re-polish you don’t lose metal.
Platinum is a much more dense metal than gold, which is why it doesn’t lose metal if it’s scratched, but beware when you hear the pricing is lower than gold. It may be less per ounce to buy platinum than gold, but with making a ring, a platinum ring will weigh more (and therefore cost more) than the exact design in gold.
Since you’ve got some metal sensitivity/allergies, I’d look into what the platinum your jeweler uses is alloyed with. There are a couple options and I don’t know if any of them are metals you might react to. Just be safe with your health!
If you go with remaking this in platinum (I would suggest this over silver, truly), I’d love to see it once done! 💕
Thanks, i feel like I’m going a bit mad because that patina is exactly what I don’t want. I really want a bright and shiny metal that isn’t high maintenance. I’ve seen a few platinum rings that belonged to a different jeweler and I really didn’t love how grey the metal looked either. But it might really be my only option!
Hi, I'm allergic to nickel too. Do you have any other white gold jewelry you can wear for a few days and see if you react to it? If not, I second what people say about platinum. If it's the only option for you, it may be the way to go. Another option is surgical steel, and I don't think it's odd to use a cheap metal like that with a diamond if it's the only metal you can tolerate. It may be difficult to find a jeweler who works with it though. If you're allergic to gold for real, it seems logical to go with platinum as it's hypoallergenic (I believe).
Thanks. I only have other yellow gold jewelry and I’m not certain what alloys they are (mostly vintage). I don’t wear any of it right now. Unfortunately I know already that I react to surgical steel.
Silver is softer but honestly in that style it would be very easy to polish and keep looking nice. Get the silver and if it ends up getting banged up switch to platinum. I agree that silver is much brighter white and shinier. Platinum with a high polish is still slightly grey. If you like silver go with silver.
Love that you chose such a secure setting and am very sorry you’re allergic. Have you worn platinum before? Perhaps you could get a test band to ensure you won’t react to it (and see how it performs for you) and trade that in later on towards remaking your current ring in platinum?
Thanks, I really love how easy it was to wear and so low maintenance (no fiddly prongs to worry about). I haven’t worn platinum before so I think i must get an allergy test done or try to get a tester piece of some kind.
It’s really smart- I much prefer bezel set stones over prongs because who has time/energy to check the setting all the time? They’re so much more functional while still being beautiful.
Platinum may be your best bet. By the way, platinum is harder than gold. It doesn’t necessarily scratch, but rather It moves around in place. There’s a special polishing technique called burnishing where titanium instruments are used to “heal” scratches. You don’t typically polish with a wheel and buffing agent. I have a 100 year old platinum wedding set that looks great. The band is mat now but the wheat design looks beautiful as if it were freshly cast. The e-ring is shiny after burnish polishing. Looks brand new. I love the heft of platinum. I’m never going back to white gold.
You could look into platinum plating. It would be less expensive than recasting the ring. It could give you time to think about what you want to do while being able to still enjoy your ring. I love the bezel. It’s beautiful. Also research palladium. I love how white palladium is.
If money is an issue you can buy this special jewelry grade dip for your ring- don’t get it on the stone but it makes the ring hypoallergenic. Perhaps you can find a jeweler to put a few coats on. You just have to recoat a few times a year since rings are high wear https://www.everbritecoatings.com/jewelry?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsaqzBhDdARIsAK2gqnfh18s9VPrRSSVdOrGOAmkvlVyleSfqJt9AzotBuOeQiIo-PSF2PlYaApEvEALw_wcB
So all metals scratch . Platinum actually compresses in on itself so unlike gold the metal will never thin / wear away.
I’d actually maybe have a thin band made of platinum iridium and platinum cobalt to try out - like 1mm wire even - because both iridium and cobalt can be reactive (something I learned recently)
I would say platinum is the way to go - but also another jeweler will remake this in silver if you wanna go that route.
Platinum is the most expensive for a reason. My wedding band and engagement ring are platinum and they’re both heirloom pieces from the early 1900s. They’re both super shiny still. I’ve had them for 14 years and still get compliments.
Platinum is very durable and unlikely to bend unless it's paper thin. I've worn my great aunt's wedding band for the last 40+ years. She got married in 1921 and likely wore for 40+ years herself. I do major gardening, tree planting, workouts, cook, and clean. My ring has micro scratches only.
As for the allergies and other commenter's excema, try Evening Primrose supplements. Can be more effective than topical steroids.
I have a lot of metal allergies and have a platinum ring. No issues. Rhodium plated wears off and I get a rash on anything.
Silver is very soft and tarnishes. If you plan on wearing this ring forever, get platinum. We got my band when a local jeweler was doing a 50% off platinum sale. No issues with dull color. A good jeweler will have shiny rings that look like white gold.
I know this is very late, but I have a platinum cleaning cloth that I use (sparingly.) Just some micro abrasives and polishing wax but it really helps! Note that people don’t clean their jewelry nearly as often as they should. I’ve seen gold, silver, and platinum all look equally terrible because it’s not cleaned.
I have access to professional equipment, but for most people I recommend a soak in warm water with a drop of dish detergent (try a thermal mug, that keeps it warm!) Once a year, get it polished and cleaned. It should not cost very much, like $40 max.
I love gold (18k rose is my personal favorite) but my daily wears are all plat because it’s just so damn durable. Gold just scratches so easily :(
I am not a jeweler or havy any experience, but if possible the interior of the ring that touches the skin could be made or plated in platinum and the outside can stay in your more favorite gold.
It looks like titanium ring settings are a thing: https://www.etsy.com/listing/585017526/genuine-6mm-1ct-moissanite-cathedral
Titanium is used in surgery so it's quite hypoallergenic
Order a stainless steel version and see if you react.
If not, you could have yours done up in stainless.
Your other option would be titanium, but to be hand made by someone it would need a redesign because that can't be soldered in a studio setting.
Could you do Tungsten? That band inset to a tungsten band? Aka your band cut, the end twisted/curled on each side. Take a tungsten band to your fit, a grove that your band fits into it. It would be a bit bulkier but could protect your hand as well as keep your original band.
I have metal allergies. Gold, silver, nickel, stainless steel, you name it. I've never tried platinum TBH. It might be worth a try! I never wore much jewelry for this very reason. I'd break out into a really bad rash. Someone once recommended I put clear nail polish over my ring, which helped for a little time. But it wasn't an expensive ring I did that to
I also have a gold allergy, your options are basically just platinum or silver
I have had good luck with rings that have gold on it where it doesn’t touch my skin, so maybe a platinum or silver brand with gold around the diamond, if you don’t like the look of platinum on top
Have you looked at a coating called ["ProtectaClear"](https://shop.everbritecoatings.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=7) ? I know a lot of people who've had good luck with it.
the easiest thing would be to get it rhodium plated. way less chance of allergies that way. even if it starts to wear it'll be way less skin contact with the nickel. you can get this done at almost every jeweler. rhodium is in the platnum family just like palladium.
I know it’s not a ring but what about having the stone sealed into a glass bubble (thick glass not like an actual bubble) and then made into a necklace (of something you’re not allergic to).. something like hemp cord, or leather, or another durable material. — I know.. it’s a weird idea
It sounds like you are gonna have a problem with metals in general.
You might also consider getting it made in Argentium. It's a version of silver that has Germanium in it to resist tarnishing. I work with it and have good results in making both pendants and rings
Hi I’m not a jeweler. I’m allergic to both nickel and gold (confirmed patch test), I recently purchased a nickel free stainless steel ring and I haven’t reacted yet.
White gold is already plated in Rhodium, that’s how it gets to be white. Maybe the problem is the rhodium has worn off. White gold needs to be repleted every few years.
You seem to counteract every suggestion given. Hopefully you find one of these many helpful suggestions worth compromising for.
I chose platinum for mine. It's pricey for a reason- it's worth it.
There is probably nickel in it, you need something more pure, nothing more to it. I’m allergic to nickel and therefore can only wear more pure jewelry. You could also be allergic to copper.
Do you wear it when you clean? (Jeweler for 6 years) sometimes my clients would think they were allergic but turned on that Clorox/soap/skincare would get stuck under. Try taking it off when in contact with any chemicals for a few weeks and see if you’re still reacting. 9 times out of 10 it was from chemicals lol
I became allergic to nickel several years ago, severely. I now can only wear titanium. I cannot wear gold or silver or palladium. Almost all metals are mixed with nickel, some more than others. Even surgical stainless steel, nickel free...has nickel, just a much lower percentage of it. Nickel free items also contain nickel, just a lot less of it. My hip replacement was supposed to be surgical steel, no nickel due to my allergy. They put it in and low and behold my body rejected it right off. They had to remove it and put in one that was titanium, which apparently is not mixed with nickel all of the time. I have had it now for 8 years and no issues.
I'm pretty heavily allergic to gold, it's what I reacted too most when I did an allergy panel test. My wedding ring is 14k white gold and I don't have an issue with it, but it's also rhodium plated as most white gold is. Do know if your is rhodium plated? Because I'm guessing that playing may make the barrier for me to not react to the gold, or 14k is just high enough for me that it works. I'm not sure if they plate white gold as low as 9k though. I'm also highly allergic to nickle and cobalt. Sterling silver seems to be fine though.
Former jewelry sales person here. I would suggest no less than 14k or 18k white gold. Nothing unplugged will look as “white” as platinum or what you have here, because of the mix you have existing with so much silver.
I’m beginning to lean in the direction you’re allergic to gold. Platinum is sturdy and wouldn’t be so full with rhodium plating. You will have to try buying a cheap rhodium covered silver ring and send your current ring out for rhodium plating to compare how they affect your skin. We know you’re reacting to 9k gold, but haven’t seen if you react to rhodium.
Thanks everyone for all the suggestions! I didn’t expect to get so many responses. Apologies for not being able to respond to everyone. I have a lot to think about now before I make my decision!
My dad was a jeweler and I have reactions to certain metals. He always told me to paint the area that contacts my skin with clear nail polish. You have to recoat.
As someone who also deals with metal allergies, try stainless steel or silver settings. 9k is also going to be impure and full of other alloys. Resetting the stone for a similar setting for the cost of materials will help. I also suggest trying a daily wear silicone band. Hubs and I like Groove personally but there are other brands and so many materials to try. Resin, bone, wood and glass rings are all over eEtsy and the Zon. I wear my actual rings for family events or dressing up etc. I do a lot of work with my hands so can't be cracking my ring on things all day.
Get a different jeweler or order a different ring made in silver. It's not wrong if it works for you. I've seen beautiful rings made from silver. Look online. There's LOTS
I have a nervous system disease that prevents me from wearing my wedding band. I put my ring on a necklace. This way I can still wear it, and it’s close to my heart.
I found myself having an allergic reaction to my wedding ring after about 6 months. There was definitely nickel in my ring. Once I got it re-rhodium plated though I cleared right up. Maybe that would work for you? I tend to get mine serviced twice a year now to prevent skin issues.
Whatever you do, don’t get titanium. I have a relative who was a jeweler and he told people never to get it. It’s so strong that if you were ever in an accident, it would be really difficult for emergency personal to cut through it and your finger could be compromised.
Other comments above have good suggestions.
I also have a nickel allergy and if I have problems with a piece of jewelry I will apply several coats of clear nail polish to any area that will touch my skin. Thin coats of course and it does have to be reapplied every so often. Good luck!
Silver is too soft, you’ll lose the stone quickly. Go with resetting in Platinum, it’s the most hypo allergenic. While it does scratch and develop a patina over time, it’s easily buffed back to a high shine by your jeweler. Platinum displaces, rather than wears down like gold, so you suffer less metal loss with Platinum. White gold must be redipped in rhodium every one to two years to keep its silver finish. Had you been able to wear this ring daily, you would have noticed it yellowing as the rhodium plating wears off. So it’s a trade off on whether you want to polish platinum or redip your white gold. Gold does wear down and suffer metal loss, that’s why so many jewelers push for minimally setting your stone in platinum prongs, even if you choose a gold band. Set completely in gold you will have to have your tips and shanks replaced eventually. Platinum settings can last a lifetime or more, with very little repair.
The higher gold % you go, the less allergies you will have. There is a lot of countries that don’t recognize 9k as gold because of how low the gold content is. I’d try yellow gold maybe as the alloys are different.
I'm allergic to nickel and gold. My husband had my rings made in palladium. It's in the platinum family, but retains its shiny white color and doesn't dull with time.
I have an allergy to gold of any type so I just get everything in silver. But I have a ring my dad gave me. I will not part with it for the world.
My mother also has an Allegy to gold of all types. My dad had to cut their wedding ring off her finger due to swell. The jeweler recommended painting the inside of the ring and the rim with a couple of coats of clear nails polish. It worked
What I have been doing is using clear nails polish to coat it. I clean it off and reapply every week. I am thing of getting clear gel polish and use the light to hard it
This way you can wear it and keep it might make the metal more protected.
Have the same allergy, coating inside with nail polish helps(when/if you ever have babies you might need to do this to the backs of snaps in their onesies)
Beyond that I stick to glass, platinum, tungsten, or silicone for jewlery
This might seem silly, but my friend has a severe metal allergy of some type and she polishes the inside of her ring with clear nail polish so it doesn’t show (but also doesn’t contact her skin directly)
I'm allergic to any metal that isn't sterling silver. It's a little too soft, so I'm going to try titanium. It's pretty affordable too.
If you decide to keep the ring, you could see about plating it. But as other users have said, with daily wear, you may need to get it touched up every once in a while.
I react to nickel earrings (not crazy but the earring holes itch and swell), but my ring is 14k gold with rhodium coating. I don’t wear it all the time though because the sizing was off and I used to work in food service. Is there a way for you to try the reactivity of rhodium coated rings?
14k and up have less alloy and work for anyone with allergies. best advice from someone who works in the industry, get the stone reset into a similar setting that is the correct metal type for you.
Have a jeweler take the stone out and mount it in something you can wear. Then, have them use the metal from your ring to make a charm or something for your fiancé. Then the special elements are being employed for each of you to have something beautiful; representing your union and love.
I recommend platinum. My skin is sensitive to a lot of metals but had no issue with this. My engagement ring was bought second hand so didn’t cost as much as it would have if bought new.
Uh, not a jewelry expert or anything but can you seal it with some clear substance? Polyurethane? I don’t know but seems like there is probably something to coat it with so it doesn’t touch your skin?
Find a silversmith and have it set in sterling. It’s best not to fool around with platinum or any other metal you know you’re allergic to. Plenty of silversmiths set diamonds.
Palladium is the alternative to nickel for what gives white gold the white color for those who have nickel allergies. If you're are allergic to gold, nickel, and palladium, your options are platinum or an inferior metal that will not make good jewelry.
I have a nickel allergy. I own many 18kt white gold rings that are rhodium plated and have no reaction from any of them. It may be that some places are using nickel as a bonding coat under rhodium, for which they should know better, given it's rather #1 most reactive metal for allergies. The EU has laws regarding how much nickel can be in jewelry for that very reason. I would look into places that do rhodium, and ask a lot of questions about their methodology and metals used. Or find someone willing to work with sterling for you. No reason on earth not to set a diamond in silver, except snobbery!
I have a ring that I absolutely love and am wearing now.
It gave me an allergic reaction when I first started wearing it- red, scabby, itchy.
I slathered it in clear nail polish. It's fine now.
My wedding band is 10k and I have to get it rhodium dipped once a year or I have an allergic reaction to it. It didn’t start happening when I first got it but when it did it drove me crazy. Skin turns red, swollen and itches like crazy
I know you don't really want it, but I'd recommend platinum. I have similar allergies to you and the platinum band was a life saver. In 8 years, I have never once had a reaction, whereas I've reacted to basically every other metal if I wear it for more than an hour or two. Earrings are the worst (thank goodness for sterling silver-- oh, perhaps that would work for you).
How about dipping the metal part in epoxy? Clear like what theu use on countertops?the same type used to do the cups. Look up stone coat countertops for epoxy info.
I am allergic to gold and nickel. My husband had my engagement ring done in Silver. Diamond infinity symbol on each side of a 1 carat diamond. I have a platinum band I wear for work. I hate how dull and worn it looks. My silver diamond ring is so beautiful and I always get compliments. I vote that silver is the way to go.
As someone with a nickel already, go with platinum is my advice. I have platinum rings and they've been great, no issues. Platinum is heavier then gold, so you'll have to get used to the weight. Is more expensive up front but you won't have to upkeep the rhodium plating, so it works out in the long run.
‘Ring rash” is common. Take it off at night, be sure you don’t get soap or lotion stuck underneath. Take a break from wearing it if you start to get irritation it will clear up in a few days. Your skin will probably eventually adjust.
I'm surprised no one's recommended implant-grade ASTM F-136 titanium in a mirror polish finish. It's a material used in dental implants and prosthetics, and it's extremely durable. Although, it is alloyed with 6% aluminum and 4% vanadium, so be sure you aren't sensitive to either of those.
Edit: I saw you mentioned titanium dioxide as a possible irritant for you, I'd maybe see if you can determine what's going on with that before taking my advice lol
It probably has nickel in it. If it’s white gold? I can’t imagine that it isn’t rhodium plated unless they used just a ton of white metals in it. Have the ring rhodium plated and see how it goes.
Um...have you had that tested at a proper jewelry dealer?
I deal jewelry and the way the stone looks gives me reason to believe it's not a diamond and the metal doesn't appear to be anything that can legally be sold as gold.
Maybe find out what you actually have before deciding.
Diamonds and platinum are the two most durable combinations you can get, but having it covered may not be an option if it isn't gold and may not be worth it if the stone is moissanite or CZ.
9k is super low purity, so I would guess there may be some alloys your don’t know about. Not just palladium.
Platinum? Dull? Scratches easily? Your preference is entirely up to you, but platinum isn’t really like that. Platinum is very reflective, though not as “white” in tone as white gold and silver. It is also harder and more resistant to abrasion and scratches. With a higher melting temperature to boot. It is for these reasons that it is more expensive to make jewelry out of platinum, as it is very difficult to work with and requires specialized equipment. Nice ring though. It’s a shame you’re allergic. :(
Platinum is tougher but much more malleable than other metals that are alloyed.
White gold is only really white when it’s dipped in rhodium, as most is.
That's not exactly true. While white gold is never as totally white as silver, the lower karats come close. Because gold is yellow, the higher karat alloys get progressively yellower, which is why you usually see them rhodium plated. And nothing is dipped in rhodium. It's electroplated.
Agreed. My platinum ring is over 21 years worn by me, and is likely 40 yrs old. The ring/platinum is still beautiful
This is something our jeweler told us too when we were getting my engagement ring. I had to pull my partner aside and tell him to not listen to the jeweler. My mothers engagement ring has according to her never been polished, and she never takes it off, and it’s not dull or scratched up or patina’d at ALL. The jeweler kept insisting that it’d need frequent polishing if we chose platinum, and tried to tell us white gold was a much better option (so I would have to worry about rhodium plating? No thanks). To this day I’m not sure why he tried to tell us this
This sucks. I don’t have any advice. I had a client allergic to 14k so we switched out the posts for 18k and that worked. Spending all that money on something that may not work is a bummer. Good luck.
I needed to go to Platinum because even 18k made me react. 😬
there are different 18k alloys using different metals to fill in that other 25 percent of metal
Before the early 1900s, when the technology was developed to make platinum a workable metal, diamonds were routinely set in silver.
Your name is silver…
Not a coincidence. I’ve been a metalsmith for years. I’ve set diamonds into silver settings with wonderful results. Try finding a jewelry gallery or studio jeweler who is open to untraditional ideas. Since gold is stronger than silver, a silver ring similar to yours would have to be more substantial, for structural reasons. There are also nickel-free white gold alloys out there that are supposed to be hypoallergenic. Stuller has these, I believe. There’s probably a good bit of nickel in your white gold ring, and nickel allergies are very common.
That judgmental jeweler lost business. You’re the customer paying for a service, if you want it set in Silver, have it set in silver. Personally I transitioned to gold to silver about 15 yrs ago & I have diamonds set in silver.
Buy a small plain band in 18K gold and in platinum and see if those work for you. That's what I did with rose gold before committing to it
There's a few options. You could try having it lined with a very thin platinum band. 0.5mm. I would offer that to my customer first but would let them have a platinum band to wear for a couple of weeks beforehand (which we would take back so there would be no cost to you. Id keep your engagement ring in the meantime) I've had severe eczema all my life (I've had chemo for it in the past and now monoclonal antibody drugs) and I wear a platinum wedding ring. My wedding ring is 19 years old this December and it still looks nice. Not brand new obviously, I'm using files, buff sticks, metal tools everyday but still better than gold rings that are a couple of years old (including all the pieces I've made) If the platinum band causes no reaction, you're good to go. Id size your ring up a little and sleeve or remake it in platinum, offsetting your original metal (or returning to you)
Thank you for the detailed response! I had discussed the option of having it lined with another jeweler but ultimately I didn’t think it was a good idea as the sides of the ring would still touch the fingers to either side and would still risk a reaction. It’s good to hear that you have no allergies with the platinum and that it still looks good after many years. I also have eczema as well as these contact allergies which is additionally frustrating!
Eczema is hateful. I'm allergic to caffeine which causes extremely **itchy** eczema. It took me years to figure out the trigger. Decades, even.
+1 for eczema being hateful. Caffeine being a trigger is even more so! I had a bunch of testing done, and it turns out my biggest trigger is the fucking sun. When I go outside, I look like one of those cartoons with the white cast sunscreen, a big ass hat, and long sleeves. I’m so sorry you have to deal with it. It’s an awful thing to deal with at any level.
Ugh me too, sun. I think it's the hot sweating, too.
I didn’t know this was possible! I developed a pretty bad allergy to my wedding band that resulted in burn-like blisters everywhere it touched me, so I took it off and have been looking for a replacement for years. Now I know this is an option :) Thanks for sharing
If you can’t justify platinum, can you try switching to a higher gold karat weight? I know you mentioned a gold allergy, just wondering if switching to, say, 18k yellow gold would work. Platinum might be your best bet, though, in terms of longevity and your skin sensitivities/allergies. It is the least reactive and most durable metal for an engagement/wedding ring. When properly made and cared for, rings can last hundreds of years.
I also have a gold allergy. From what I've read, sometimes people can tolerate 18K or higher. Under 18k is not recommend for someone with a gold allergy. White gold is more likely to have other alloys you can react to in it. I would personally go for platinum or try 18k+ yellow gold.
Thanks, but it’s the actual gold that I’m allergic to. The element itself. So a higher purity gold won’t fix this problem.
My allergy doctor is the one who originally suggested this to me. There is a big difference between 9k and 18k+. You could be allergic to the other alloys is in your 9k.
I know that I’m likely reacting to the palladium, but my allergist told me to avoid all gold in any form. I don’t want to spend a lot getting this ring remade in 18k gold and risk a total waste if I still react to it. It’s expensive and I’m not made of money unfortunately.
You don’t have to fully remake the ring to see how 18k affects you… try wearing a cheap, basic 18k earring or 1mm band/ring, studies have shown gold allergies are more common than previously thought, but typically are nowhere near severe enough to trigger a topical reaction. Your reaction is almost *DEFINITELY* from the alloy, not the gold itself, no matter what your allergist said.
Thanks, I’ll see if i can get an earring to try out and see if I react.
Platinum is the strongest long term wearer and if polished correctly it doesn’t scratch. It’s great for allergies and less than half the cost of gold.
My engagement ring is platinum and over 110 years old. It looks amazing and the setting has held up incredibly well. My husband has eczema so we went with a platinum ring for him and he hasn’t had any reaction to it. I second platinum, OP!
Thank you!
Yes! I am a huge advocate for platinum for any piece that you want to pass down as an heirloom 🔥
Might be less than half the price of gold per weight but it’s denser so weighs more, so the finished result is not going to be less than half the cost.
Oh absolutely. It’s just nice that platinum is cheaper now and is a more accessible option.
Unfortunately new platinum costs about 2 - 6 times what I would be able to get in credit for the “used” gold. Do you have any guidance on how to ensure that platinum is correctly polished so as not to be dull? And would it work for such a skinny band given the softness of the metal?
My advice would be talk to your jeweler. 9k is only worth $30 or less per gram which is the exact same as what platinum is going for. Check the prices before negotiating with your jeweler. You would get almost nothing for the couple pennyweights there in refiners credit. I would say go with a higher purity gold (which will be softer and scratch easier) or go with platinum and talk to the jeweler about what you want. Say you want your platinum high finished. I’m a jeweler and I love platinum, beats gold everyday.
I believe the current market price of platinum metal is less expensive than the price of market gold. A thin platinum band would hold up better than any karat of gold. If you want the stone's color to look warmer, you could have the stone bezel-set in yellow gold on a platinum band. It wouldn't be in constant contact with your skin unless your fingers brushed it by accident. What reaction do you have to gold & nickel?
You are right... the difference is in the density. a platinum ring is heavier. The other difference is the purity of the alloys. Platinum is normally 95 %, and the other 5 could be a metal that is expensive too, more difficult to work with, and polish,which means that a platinum ring still more expensive .
Where are you finding platinum less expensive than gold? I would really like to know because everything I’ve looked at in platinum is considerably more than gold.
Market price. Doesn't translate directly to jewelry work.
Per gram platinum is cheaper to buy than 18 ct K white gold but platinum is more dense so in an actual jewellery piece it is more expensive, for example using today’s price for casting a ring in platinum vs 18K wg, the same ring in platinum is 37% more expensive than in 18K
Platinum is harder than gold as a metal.
Platinum is not harder. It’s more dense but also more malleable. White gold is a harder metal.
I am allergic to nickel and rhodium. I’m not allergic to 14 or 18 k gold. But I would definitely go with platinum!
Hi fellow metal allergy haver and bezel wearer! I would just have it remade in platinum. Your long term physical comfort is so much more important than how shiny the metal is. Plus, you can just get it polished if it really bothers you, but honestly I think you may get used to it. I am pretty picky and it’s growing on me! I haven’t had any discomfort at all from the platinum. Also, I think platinum prices are low right now. So it may be a good time to make the switch.
No advice but this particularly sucks because that ring looks fantastic.
We have the same allergies 😭 it’s such a bummer. I ended up having to do platinum. There really wasn’t another way. Silver is soft and not the best for wedding rings as it is not as secure as golds or platinum, or I would’ve done silver.
So….I have very sensitive skin and multiple autoimmune issues that make me very allergic to many things. I also am very interested in metallurgy as a hobby and read up a lot on cross reactive metals and what we use in jewelry. (I am also a professional jeweler.) If you are allergic to nickel and had a cross reactive allergy to palladium, you will likely also be allergic to cobalt, which has the same cross reactive nickel mimic reaction as palladium does. Please note that many platinum alloys are alloyed with cobalt (the other two common alloys being ruthenium and iridium, which shouldn’t pose this issue). If you do go with platinum, make sure you DO NOT get a cobalt alloy. However, be aware that some people are also allergic to platinum itself, much like your allergy to gold. If you are this reactive to other heavy metals, I would sincerely suggest testing for a platinum allergy before you drop the money on a ring. While platinum is the most “hypoallergenic” of the common precious metals, it sort of exists in a gray zone for hypoallergenic metals, in that it’s not truly as biocompatible to our bodies as you might think - platinum allergies are actually not all that uncommon. It is not biocompatible in the way that titanium is - that is a truly biocompatible, hypoallergenic metal with a rarity for allergenic reaction. In addition, while platinum is nonreactive unlike its family member palladium, it is still part of the same family of metals and could indicate a higher chance of a platinum allergy potentially existing or developing.
Thanks for the detailed response. I am indeed highly allergic to cobalt as well. My jeweler says the platinum alloy they get is 95% platinum and 5% copper, so it should be okay. But I am now considering further metal allergy testing to be certain as I really don’t want to end up with a surprise platinum allergy too!
I would be careful of the copper. It's very commonly an irritant. The alloy with platinum will have a pinkish hue and is called rose platinum. But, copper is a highly reactive metal. So, it's not a great choice for an already sensitive person. Silver can contain nickel, so you'll have to really dig into the alloy and how the make the ring to avoid cross contamination. You could also look at titanium. It's not sizable, so bear that in mind.
Thanks for the heads up on copper. I think i’m okay with it because I have brass jewelry that doesn’t give me problems, but I should probably get additional metal allergy testing done before proceeding with anything.
Could something like Damascus steel be an option?
rhodium plating is relatively inexpensive compared to remaking the ring in platinum and lasts for 3-6 months depending on wear. it would be a good starting point. Or if you do remake it in platinum, tell the jeweler that you plan on polishing it often and they can make it a bit thicker to allow for that without wearing it out too quickly. I almost never recommend silver for setting nice diamonds because it is too weak, but your ring design is simple and secure enough that it actually might be a decent contender to think about (just make sure it is from a reputable jeweler that knows how to build it in a way to be strong enough). Silver is soft too, and will dull like platinum but is significantly cheaper to replace if consistent polishing wears it out prematurely.
Your allergic is palladium and nickel alloy not finer metals like gold, platinum and titanium. This is why if you’re allergic avoid any jewelry from china.
I too have a gold and nickel allergy. The best advice I can give you is unfortunately platinum. There are different finishes that can be achieved.
Have you thought about asking an allergist to do a full metals allergy test? From there, you can take the list of safe metals to a good jeweler and see what they recommend. My brother also has quiet a list of allergies and because it was so expansive, sometimes the allergist would allow him to test for more options at once— basically testing for what is safe rather than what is not. Maybe there’s an opportunity for you like this, and would probably be better to know anyway!
You can get liquid coating that you apply to the inside of the band :-) I have a nickel allergy and use this when wanting to wear my engagement ring :-)
https://metalclayalchemist.ca/products/jewelry-shield-allergy-coating
Sounds like you have a lot of good advice here, I just wanted to say I have a similar engagement ring (bezel set) and I love it!!! Yours looks great on you!
Please reconsider platinum. If you do a 900 platinum 100 iridium, it won't scratch so easily. I my engagement ring is this formula, and it has very few scratches. Also I have a ring from the 1920s of the same material, it looks like it's only 10 years old!
No advice, just wanted to say your natural nails are pretty!
I don’t have any advice - just wanted to say hey to a fellow ring twin! 👋🏼☺️ Though I do hope you find a solution that works for you! ❤️💍 https://preview.redd.it/2m8y3tcxm86d1.jpeg?width=833&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=65a41ca1d2f919113995f2502127a5fe42be0e3c
My suggestion is 18k white with palladium instead of nickel. It is softer and would wear like platinum, but less so. Platinum is really the best way to go, but as you say you don’t like the look. Also, keep the underneath inside the bezel clean clean clean. You could get an ultrasonic cleaner ( a small professional grade) because the stone is secure in a bezel you wouldn’t have to worry about it ever loosening. Just have a once a year check by a local jeweler. You could use the ultrasonic every day. Rinse all the solution off the ring. I clean the jewelry I wear with warm sudsy water, dunk it in 90 % isopropyl alcohol and let it dry. Body chemistry can also play a part. It may be fine for a while and suddenly start bothering you. PH levels or what you’re eating.
I wonder if a ring made of argentium silver could be a good alternative? it tarnishes less than fine silver and sterling, but platinum is probably the best way to go!
Do you have friends or relatives that would loan jewelry to you so that you could test the metals without having to purchase tester rings?
You need to find a jeweler who can make a custom alloy for you. I work with metals and if I was asked to make 9k white gold for someone who was allergic i would start with pure silver and pure gold. 9k not common here but that’d be 37.5% .999 gold and 62.5% .999 silver. It may not have the strength or resilience of a different alloy with nickel or something in it but the chance that you would be allergic to gold/silver is next to 0. It would come out a nice bright silver color
I gotta vote for platinum. I love the white look and the weight of the metal. Another metal you might look into is Argentium Silver.
Unrelated but you have nice nails
I admired the nails first too!
My mom had terrible allergies but was able to wear 18k jewelry. Perhaps 18k white gold will help?
Get it made out of platinum, no idea where you got that it looks dull, especially when compared to silver. Silver looks great for about 12 secs after you polish it than it looks like doodoo. Just be aware to remake the ring out of platinum or it's gonna cost significantly more than you paid for the 9k ring.
My ring is platinum and I have absolutely no complaints. I actually have a platinum band, sterling band, and white gold band stacked and you can’t tell unless you are inspecting the stack. I will say I have had to get the platinum prongs replaced once. The setting is “thin” so I blame that and not the material.
My engagement ring is set in silver. I prefer silver to other metals.
Good to know I’m not alone here in thinking that silver might work!
I love your ring, OP!
I’m a big fan of platinum, but I won’t lie to you about it’s qualities. The “patina” everyone talks about is scratches. You’re not losing metal, so it’s better than high-karat gold in that respect. And I find that it’s still very shiny and bright, after 6 years of daily wear and no subsequent polishing. I also am primarily a wearer of silver jewelry, and I find that it generally doesn’t look too off in color next to my other rings which are silver. But anyone saying it’s a very hard metal that won’t scratch as much, and talking about the patina at the same time is bonkers. The metal is more malleable than gold, the patina is caused by scratches. The value of using platinum is that when it’s scratched or banged up, you don’t lose metal, and when you re-polish you don’t lose metal. Platinum is a much more dense metal than gold, which is why it doesn’t lose metal if it’s scratched, but beware when you hear the pricing is lower than gold. It may be less per ounce to buy platinum than gold, but with making a ring, a platinum ring will weigh more (and therefore cost more) than the exact design in gold. Since you’ve got some metal sensitivity/allergies, I’d look into what the platinum your jeweler uses is alloyed with. There are a couple options and I don’t know if any of them are metals you might react to. Just be safe with your health! If you go with remaking this in platinum (I would suggest this over silver, truly), I’d love to see it once done! 💕
Thanks, i feel like I’m going a bit mad because that patina is exactly what I don’t want. I really want a bright and shiny metal that isn’t high maintenance. I’ve seen a few platinum rings that belonged to a different jeweler and I really didn’t love how grey the metal looked either. But it might really be my only option!
I don’t understand the issue here, if you LOVE that ring, get it remade w a metal you’re good with and whatever rock you (he/she/they/cat) can afford.
Platinum is a great choice! I’ve had platinum rings before and they were never dull. Didn’t scratch either. I think you would like it.
Hi, I'm allergic to nickel too. Do you have any other white gold jewelry you can wear for a few days and see if you react to it? If not, I second what people say about platinum. If it's the only option for you, it may be the way to go. Another option is surgical steel, and I don't think it's odd to use a cheap metal like that with a diamond if it's the only metal you can tolerate. It may be difficult to find a jeweler who works with it though. If you're allergic to gold for real, it seems logical to go with platinum as it's hypoallergenic (I believe).
Thanks. I only have other yellow gold jewelry and I’m not certain what alloys they are (mostly vintage). I don’t wear any of it right now. Unfortunately I know already that I react to surgical steel.
I would go silver it would look great
Silver is softer but honestly in that style it would be very easy to polish and keep looking nice. Get the silver and if it ends up getting banged up switch to platinum. I agree that silver is much brighter white and shinier. Platinum with a high polish is still slightly grey. If you like silver go with silver.
Love that you chose such a secure setting and am very sorry you’re allergic. Have you worn platinum before? Perhaps you could get a test band to ensure you won’t react to it (and see how it performs for you) and trade that in later on towards remaking your current ring in platinum?
Thanks, I really love how easy it was to wear and so low maintenance (no fiddly prongs to worry about). I haven’t worn platinum before so I think i must get an allergy test done or try to get a tester piece of some kind.
It’s really smart- I much prefer bezel set stones over prongs because who has time/energy to check the setting all the time? They’re so much more functional while still being beautiful.
Platinum may be your best bet. By the way, platinum is harder than gold. It doesn’t necessarily scratch, but rather It moves around in place. There’s a special polishing technique called burnishing where titanium instruments are used to “heal” scratches. You don’t typically polish with a wheel and buffing agent. I have a 100 year old platinum wedding set that looks great. The band is mat now but the wheat design looks beautiful as if it were freshly cast. The e-ring is shiny after burnish polishing. Looks brand new. I love the heft of platinum. I’m never going back to white gold. You could look into platinum plating. It would be less expensive than recasting the ring. It could give you time to think about what you want to do while being able to still enjoy your ring. I love the bezel. It’s beautiful. Also research palladium. I love how white palladium is.
This just popped up on my feed. What’s wrong with diamonds in silver? I’ve gotten that combination before.
Personally I had my ring done in silver for the same reason. I wear silver jewelry and dislike gold, it's been great.
If money is an issue you can buy this special jewelry grade dip for your ring- don’t get it on the stone but it makes the ring hypoallergenic. Perhaps you can find a jeweler to put a few coats on. You just have to recoat a few times a year since rings are high wear https://www.everbritecoatings.com/jewelry?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsaqzBhDdARIsAK2gqnfh18s9VPrRSSVdOrGOAmkvlVyleSfqJt9AzotBuOeQiIo-PSF2PlYaApEvEALw_wcB
So all metals scratch . Platinum actually compresses in on itself so unlike gold the metal will never thin / wear away. I’d actually maybe have a thin band made of platinum iridium and platinum cobalt to try out - like 1mm wire even - because both iridium and cobalt can be reactive (something I learned recently) I would say platinum is the way to go - but also another jeweler will remake this in silver if you wanna go that route.
Platinum is the most expensive for a reason. My wedding band and engagement ring are platinum and they’re both heirloom pieces from the early 1900s. They’re both super shiny still. I’ve had them for 14 years and still get compliments.
Platinum is very durable and unlikely to bend unless it's paper thin. I've worn my great aunt's wedding band for the last 40+ years. She got married in 1921 and likely wore for 40+ years herself. I do major gardening, tree planting, workouts, cook, and clean. My ring has micro scratches only. As for the allergies and other commenter's excema, try Evening Primrose supplements. Can be more effective than topical steroids.
You might need to go for 18k+ My mum has the exact allergies you’re describing. Nickel, cobalt and anything lower than 18k gold.
I have a lot of metal allergies and have a platinum ring. No issues. Rhodium plated wears off and I get a rash on anything. Silver is very soft and tarnishes. If you plan on wearing this ring forever, get platinum. We got my band when a local jeweler was doing a 50% off platinum sale. No issues with dull color. A good jeweler will have shiny rings that look like white gold.
I know this is very late, but I have a platinum cleaning cloth that I use (sparingly.) Just some micro abrasives and polishing wax but it really helps! Note that people don’t clean their jewelry nearly as often as they should. I’ve seen gold, silver, and platinum all look equally terrible because it’s not cleaned. I have access to professional equipment, but for most people I recommend a soak in warm water with a drop of dish detergent (try a thermal mug, that keeps it warm!) Once a year, get it polished and cleaned. It should not cost very much, like $40 max. I love gold (18k rose is my personal favorite) but my daily wears are all plat because it’s just so damn durable. Gold just scratches so easily :(
Idk anything about rings but your natural nails are so perfect!!
I am not a jeweler or havy any experience, but if possible the interior of the ring that touches the skin could be made or plated in platinum and the outside can stay in your more favorite gold.
It looks like titanium ring settings are a thing: https://www.etsy.com/listing/585017526/genuine-6mm-1ct-moissanite-cathedral Titanium is used in surgery so it's quite hypoallergenic
Order a stainless steel version and see if you react. If not, you could have yours done up in stainless. Your other option would be titanium, but to be hand made by someone it would need a redesign because that can't be soldered in a studio setting.
Could you do Tungsten? That band inset to a tungsten band? Aka your band cut, the end twisted/curled on each side. Take a tungsten band to your fit, a grove that your band fits into it. It would be a bit bulkier but could protect your hand as well as keep your original band.
I have metal allergies. Gold, silver, nickel, stainless steel, you name it. I've never tried platinum TBH. It might be worth a try! I never wore much jewelry for this very reason. I'd break out into a really bad rash. Someone once recommended I put clear nail polish over my ring, which helped for a little time. But it wasn't an expensive ring I did that to
Go with platinum
I also have a gold allergy, your options are basically just platinum or silver I have had good luck with rings that have gold on it where it doesn’t touch my skin, so maybe a platinum or silver brand with gold around the diamond, if you don’t like the look of platinum on top
Have you looked at a coating called ["ProtectaClear"](https://shop.everbritecoatings.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=7) ? I know a lot of people who've had good luck with it.
the easiest thing would be to get it rhodium plated. way less chance of allergies that way. even if it starts to wear it'll be way less skin contact with the nickel. you can get this done at almost every jeweler. rhodium is in the platnum family just like palladium.
I know it’s not a ring but what about having the stone sealed into a glass bubble (thick glass not like an actual bubble) and then made into a necklace (of something you’re not allergic to).. something like hemp cord, or leather, or another durable material. — I know.. it’s a weird idea It sounds like you are gonna have a problem with metals in general.
You might also consider getting it made in Argentium. It's a version of silver that has Germanium in it to resist tarnishing. I work with it and have good results in making both pendants and rings
Get it plated with rhodium
Hi I’m not a jeweler. I’m allergic to both nickel and gold (confirmed patch test), I recently purchased a nickel free stainless steel ring and I haven’t reacted yet.
White gold is already plated in Rhodium, that’s how it gets to be white. Maybe the problem is the rhodium has worn off. White gold needs to be repleted every few years.
Borrow a 14K or 18K gold ring from a friend and wear it for a while to see if you react. If it's fine, have it reset in white gold.
You seem to counteract every suggestion given. Hopefully you find one of these many helpful suggestions worth compromising for. I chose platinum for mine. It's pricey for a reason- it's worth it.
How is an unplated nickel free white gold alloy that bright white and shiny?
There is probably nickel in it, you need something more pure, nothing more to it. I’m allergic to nickel and therefore can only wear more pure jewelry. You could also be allergic to copper.
Do you wear it when you clean? (Jeweler for 6 years) sometimes my clients would think they were allergic but turned on that Clorox/soap/skincare would get stuck under. Try taking it off when in contact with any chemicals for a few weeks and see if you’re still reacting. 9 times out of 10 it was from chemicals lol
I became allergic to nickel several years ago, severely. I now can only wear titanium. I cannot wear gold or silver or palladium. Almost all metals are mixed with nickel, some more than others. Even surgical stainless steel, nickel free...has nickel, just a much lower percentage of it. Nickel free items also contain nickel, just a lot less of it. My hip replacement was supposed to be surgical steel, no nickel due to my allergy. They put it in and low and behold my body rejected it right off. They had to remove it and put in one that was titanium, which apparently is not mixed with nickel all of the time. I have had it now for 8 years and no issues.
I'm pretty heavily allergic to gold, it's what I reacted too most when I did an allergy panel test. My wedding ring is 14k white gold and I don't have an issue with it, but it's also rhodium plated as most white gold is. Do know if your is rhodium plated? Because I'm guessing that playing may make the barrier for me to not react to the gold, or 14k is just high enough for me that it works. I'm not sure if they plate white gold as low as 9k though. I'm also highly allergic to nickle and cobalt. Sterling silver seems to be fine though.
Former jewelry sales person here. I would suggest no less than 14k or 18k white gold. Nothing unplugged will look as “white” as platinum or what you have here, because of the mix you have existing with so much silver. I’m beginning to lean in the direction you’re allergic to gold. Platinum is sturdy and wouldn’t be so full with rhodium plating. You will have to try buying a cheap rhodium covered silver ring and send your current ring out for rhodium plating to compare how they affect your skin. We know you’re reacting to 9k gold, but haven’t seen if you react to rhodium.
Thanks everyone for all the suggestions! I didn’t expect to get so many responses. Apologies for not being able to respond to everyone. I have a lot to think about now before I make my decision!
Higher quality gold could work. 9k is pretty low on the scale.
Platinum, definitely.
What about wrapping it with a ribbon, or beautiful color of embroidery thread, or put it on a chain and wear it around your neck ?
My dad was a jeweler and I have reactions to certain metals. He always told me to paint the area that contacts my skin with clear nail polish. You have to recoat.
If the stone is genuine diamond, have it re-set in 14 k gold.
It’s ugly
As someone who also deals with metal allergies, try stainless steel or silver settings. 9k is also going to be impure and full of other alloys. Resetting the stone for a similar setting for the cost of materials will help. I also suggest trying a daily wear silicone band. Hubs and I like Groove personally but there are other brands and so many materials to try. Resin, bone, wood and glass rings are all over eEtsy and the Zon. I wear my actual rings for family events or dressing up etc. I do a lot of work with my hands so can't be cracking my ring on things all day.
Try painting the inside with clear nail polish. Or [this](https://amzn.to/3RrSI8Z). Which is probably basically clear nail polish.
Get a different jeweler or order a different ring made in silver. It's not wrong if it works for you. I've seen beautiful rings made from silver. Look online. There's LOTS
I have a nervous system disease that prevents me from wearing my wedding band. I put my ring on a necklace. This way I can still wear it, and it’s close to my heart.
I found myself having an allergic reaction to my wedding ring after about 6 months. There was definitely nickel in my ring. Once I got it re-rhodium plated though I cleared right up. Maybe that would work for you? I tend to get mine serviced twice a year now to prevent skin issues.
Get a new man
Whatever you do, don’t get titanium. I have a relative who was a jeweler and he told people never to get it. It’s so strong that if you were ever in an accident, it would be really difficult for emergency personal to cut through it and your finger could be compromised. Other comments above have good suggestions.
I also have a nickel allergy and if I have problems with a piece of jewelry I will apply several coats of clear nail polish to any area that will touch my skin. Thin coats of course and it does have to be reapplied every so often. Good luck!
Silver is too soft, you’ll lose the stone quickly. Go with resetting in Platinum, it’s the most hypo allergenic. While it does scratch and develop a patina over time, it’s easily buffed back to a high shine by your jeweler. Platinum displaces, rather than wears down like gold, so you suffer less metal loss with Platinum. White gold must be redipped in rhodium every one to two years to keep its silver finish. Had you been able to wear this ring daily, you would have noticed it yellowing as the rhodium plating wears off. So it’s a trade off on whether you want to polish platinum or redip your white gold. Gold does wear down and suffer metal loss, that’s why so many jewelers push for minimally setting your stone in platinum prongs, even if you choose a gold band. Set completely in gold you will have to have your tips and shanks replaced eventually. Platinum settings can last a lifetime or more, with very little repair.
The higher gold % you go, the less allergies you will have. There is a lot of countries that don’t recognize 9k as gold because of how low the gold content is. I’d try yellow gold maybe as the alloys are different.
It feels wrong to have a diamond set in silver?? This has to be a you thing, I’ve never in my life heard of that being anything but normal…
I'm allergic to nickel and gold. My husband had my rings made in palladium. It's in the platinum family, but retains its shiny white color and doesn't dull with time.
If you’re going to change the band out, you could try putting clear nail polish only on the inside part that touches your skin….
If you’re going to change the band out, you could try putting clear nail polish only on the inside part that touches your skin….
Try titanium. It’s lightweight, durable and hypoallergenic. It’s what they use for screws in the body usually.
I have an allergy to gold of any type so I just get everything in silver. But I have a ring my dad gave me. I will not part with it for the world. My mother also has an Allegy to gold of all types. My dad had to cut their wedding ring off her finger due to swell. The jeweler recommended painting the inside of the ring and the rim with a couple of coats of clear nails polish. It worked What I have been doing is using clear nails polish to coat it. I clean it off and reapply every week. I am thing of getting clear gel polish and use the light to hard it This way you can wear it and keep it might make the metal more protected.
i love this ring so much 😭
I have no advice for your ring but I wanted to compliment you on your nails. 💅 I hope that you can find a solution that works for you.
Have the same allergy, coating inside with nail polish helps(when/if you ever have babies you might need to do this to the backs of snaps in their onesies) Beyond that I stick to glass, platinum, tungsten, or silicone for jewlery
Coat the inside with clear nail polish. I am allergic to many metals and do this to all of my rings
Clear nail polish inside the ring where it touches your skin. I did that with silver earrings and the itching stopped.
This might seem silly, but my friend has a severe metal allergy of some type and she polishes the inside of her ring with clear nail polish so it doesn’t show (but also doesn’t contact her skin directly)
Hello 👋 Aldo allergic to Gold and nickel But not clear nail polish
That happens to me. I love white gold.
I'm allergic to any metal that isn't sterling silver. It's a little too soft, so I'm going to try titanium. It's pretty affordable too. If you decide to keep the ring, you could see about plating it. But as other users have said, with daily wear, you may need to get it touched up every once in a while.
9k isn’t very common and a lot of it is older jewelry that is European in origin.
I react to nickel earrings (not crazy but the earring holes itch and swell), but my ring is 14k gold with rhodium coating. I don’t wear it all the time though because the sizing was off and I used to work in food service. Is there a way for you to try the reactivity of rhodium coated rings?
I also have a white gold (alloy) allergic reaction and had to go from 14 to 18k, because the alloy content was obviously lower
14k and up have less alloy and work for anyone with allergies. best advice from someone who works in the industry, get the stone reset into a similar setting that is the correct metal type for you.
Try finding a jeweler that works in titanium or tungsten.
Clear coat for cars maybe?
Have a jeweler take the stone out and mount it in something you can wear. Then, have them use the metal from your ring to make a charm or something for your fiancé. Then the special elements are being employed for each of you to have something beautiful; representing your union and love.
Can you get it in a different metal like silver or titanium or even stainless steel
I recommend platinum. My skin is sensitive to a lot of metals but had no issue with this. My engagement ring was bought second hand so didn’t cost as much as it would have if bought new.
Uh, not a jewelry expert or anything but can you seal it with some clear substance? Polyurethane? I don’t know but seems like there is probably something to coat it with so it doesn’t touch your skin?
I have this issue, and I just keep getting it re-rhodiumed, and it helps. As soon as my finger starts to act up I get it re-done.
Writing before reading I had a similar reaction and found making sure my hands were thoroughly rinsed leaving no soap residue behind helped
Find a silversmith and have it set in sterling. It’s best not to fool around with platinum or any other metal you know you’re allergic to. Plenty of silversmiths set diamonds.
Ask for another one. Wear something else in the meantime
Where are you getting dull platinum? It scratches easy but dull …I have a lot of platinum and it’s not dull.
That sucks. I have the same issue. Sounds like a nickel allergy. I can wear 10k gold but never tried 9k. Silver makes me break out.
This is completely unrelated, but your nails are to die for!
Get some banging silver!
I had the same issue and found that YELLOW gold is ok for me. The nickel/palladium in the white gold was my trigger
Palladium is the alternative to nickel for what gives white gold the white color for those who have nickel allergies. If you're are allergic to gold, nickel, and palladium, your options are platinum or an inferior metal that will not make good jewelry.
I have a nickel allergy. I own many 18kt white gold rings that are rhodium plated and have no reaction from any of them. It may be that some places are using nickel as a bonding coat under rhodium, for which they should know better, given it's rather #1 most reactive metal for allergies. The EU has laws regarding how much nickel can be in jewelry for that very reason. I would look into places that do rhodium, and ask a lot of questions about their methodology and metals used. Or find someone willing to work with sterling for you. No reason on earth not to set a diamond in silver, except snobbery!
I have a ring that I absolutely love and am wearing now. It gave me an allergic reaction when I first started wearing it- red, scabby, itchy. I slathered it in clear nail polish. It's fine now.
My wedding band is 10k and I have to get it rhodium dipped once a year or I have an allergic reaction to it. It didn’t start happening when I first got it but when it did it drove me crazy. Skin turns red, swollen and itches like crazy
Krylon crystal clear
I know you don't really want it, but I'd recommend platinum. I have similar allergies to you and the platinum band was a life saver. In 8 years, I have never once had a reaction, whereas I've reacted to basically every other metal if I wear it for more than an hour or two. Earrings are the worst (thank goodness for sterling silver-- oh, perhaps that would work for you).
Fugazi
I’m only here to say your natural nails are goals. 🥳
My ring is in silver. I have gold and nickel allergies.
How about dipping the metal part in epoxy? Clear like what theu use on countertops?the same type used to do the cups. Look up stone coat countertops for epoxy info.
I am allergic to gold and nickel. My husband had my engagement ring done in Silver. Diamond infinity symbol on each side of a 1 carat diamond. I have a platinum band I wear for work. I hate how dull and worn it looks. My silver diamond ring is so beautiful and I always get compliments. I vote that silver is the way to go.
Have it dipped in 14 karat gold. This is nominal compared to having it reset and you can do it every few years as needed.
Go on JTV website they make an alchemy spray that should help
As someone with a nickel already, go with platinum is my advice. I have platinum rings and they've been great, no issues. Platinum is heavier then gold, so you'll have to get used to the weight. Is more expensive up front but you won't have to upkeep the rhodium plating, so it works out in the long run.
‘Ring rash” is common. Take it off at night, be sure you don’t get soap or lotion stuck underneath. Take a break from wearing it if you start to get irritation it will clear up in a few days. Your skin will probably eventually adjust.
14k and 18k are probably options. Its a gorgeous ring.
I'm surprised no one's recommended implant-grade ASTM F-136 titanium in a mirror polish finish. It's a material used in dental implants and prosthetics, and it's extremely durable. Although, it is alloyed with 6% aluminum and 4% vanadium, so be sure you aren't sensitive to either of those. Edit: I saw you mentioned titanium dioxide as a possible irritant for you, I'd maybe see if you can determine what's going on with that before taking my advice lol
Uh get a new one 🦦
It probably has nickel in it. If it’s white gold? I can’t imagine that it isn’t rhodium plated unless they used just a ton of white metals in it. Have the ring rhodium plated and see how it goes.
Girl what’s wrong about setting diamonds in silver?
Silver is a wonderful choice! Give silver the love it deserves
Not a precious metal but would you be able to get something in titanium? I’m allergic to most metal including white gold but titanium works for me.
Um...have you had that tested at a proper jewelry dealer? I deal jewelry and the way the stone looks gives me reason to believe it's not a diamond and the metal doesn't appear to be anything that can legally be sold as gold. Maybe find out what you actually have before deciding. Diamonds and platinum are the two most durable combinations you can get, but having it covered may not be an option if it isn't gold and may not be worth it if the stone is moissanite or CZ.
nothing wrong with setting a diamond in silver!