Three Options if You're Allergic to Your Ring
Three Options if You're Allergic to Your Ring
Ring allergies. That may sound like a strange concept, but you know it's a real thing if you have one. In reality, you're not really allergic to your ring, and what you are is allergic to a metal found within your ring. Thus, prolonged exposure will cause redness, blistering, a rash, etc. So, what are you supposed to do if your significant other has an allergy? Not get her an engagement ring? Of course not, you have options so let's see which one is best for you.
What's causing the Allergic Reaction?
A ring allergy is caused by contact dermatitis, and it can affect over 35% of the population in one way or another. The most common cause of this stems from an allergy to Nickel. Before you go and say that your ring is not made of Nickel, realize that Nickel is used in a large number of alloys to harden the primary material, such as Gold or Silver. If you have any doubts that this is causing your allergic reaction, tape a Nickel to your skin for a bit and see if it flairs up. Assuming it does, you're allergic to Nickel, and you need to check what your options are.
A classic Platinum Straight Baguette setting such as this one from James Allen not only looks spectacular, it is the perfect solution for someone with a Nickel allergy.
Allergy Solutions
If you search online, you'll find several solutions that will treat your symptoms, from topical creams to advice on not sweating. These answers, though, aren't long-term solutions. If you know you have a potential allergy, there are only a couple of options.
Your first option is to strictly avoid White Gold, or Gold in general: White Gold, in particular, has a high concentration of Nickel. Thus, if you go with a Platinum setting, there's a much greater chance that your allergy will not be triggered.
Another option is to get a ring made out of a hypoallergenic alloy. While Platinum is the most common of these, there are numerous other options. These include Palladium White Gold & Titanium. The downfall to using these is that these metals are more difficult to work with, so you may be limited in your settings. A simple setting is still better than a constant rash, though.
The wedding band example above from Blue Nile features a Black Titanium and Tantalum finish, making it durable for everyday use and Hypoallergenic.
Your last option is to take your current ring and have it plated in Rhodium. The process coats an extremely thin layer of Rhodium on the ring. A substance closely related to Platinum, the Rhodium plating will act as a barrier between your skin and the allergy-causing metal. Rhodium is an effective solution for coating various metals. While the process is affordable, it does wear off over time and must be repeated every few months or years, depending on your wear characteristics.
So whether you decide to get a specific hypoallergenic metal or have your ring coated, there are real-world solutions to your rash. When planning your ring purchase, remember that a ring allergy is a real thing, so keep it in mind and adjust your engagement ring plan accordingly.
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