Best Earrings For Sensitive Ears
Earrings can be made out of many metals i.e. platinum, gold, silver or stainless steel. But if you have sensitive ears, you must become extra precautious or it will lead to problems like allergies.
In this article we’ll list down 5 best earrings metals for sensitive ears.
1. Gold
We all know that gold is a highly hypoallergenic metal which means that it does not react with sensitive skins. But some people might not know that certain types of gold jewelry can also cause problems. For example, lower purity gold i.e. 10k gold contains high amounts of copper which can turn your skin green or black.
Apart, gold plated jewelry, which is usually done on a cheaper metal like copper or nickel, can also be a big cause of certain types of allergies. Similarly, gold vermeil is another type which is also a version of gold plating and can create redness or blisters on the skin.
Fortunately, higher purity gold i.e. 14k or 18k does not react with sensitive skins. So, you can consider any gold jewelry made of either 14k or above as hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive ears.
2. Platinum
Platinum is one of the most premium white metals known for its expensive price tag. It is normally available in the composition of 950 platinum which means that 95% of the metal is platinum and other 5% is either zinc or any other white metal.
Platinum is a hypoallergenic metal and does not react with sensitive skins. But if the rest 5% of the alloy is a cheap metal like nickel, then it can be highly non hypoallergenic. So, it is better to check with the jeweler that what is the composition of the platinum you are buying.
A big con associated with platinum is its high density. It means that you need more weight of platinum to make jewelry compared to other metals.
This also means that platinum jewelry is heavy compared to other metals like gold and silver. This is the reason why platinum is mostly used in low weight jewelry items like rings or earrings.
3. Rhodium
Rhodium is another premium white metal just like platinum. Rhodium metal is a quite expensive metal. That’s why its jewelry is not in pure rhodium but rather in combination of some other metal.
White Rhodium and Black Rhodium are two rhodium alloys used in jewelry making. White rhodium is a natural colored rhodium jewelry with a shiny white appearance while black rhodium is made by plating.
If you can afford the price of rhodium, then it can be one of the best choice in all of the metals mentioned here.
Rhodium is also plated over cheap base metals like copper or silver. But it is better to avoid rhodium plated jewelry on cheap metals as they can cause problems. But if it is done on white gold with no nickel, then it is good to go.
4. Argentium Silver
Argentium silver is relatively unknown type of silver. More known type of silver is sterling silver which can be non hypoallergenic at times. Argentium silver was specifically made to address problem of non hypoallergenic and tarnishing.
This metal gives a premium look of white metals like platinum and rhodium at a much lower price. Only problems you can have as a buyer are its less availability and lack of customization options being available. This silver is actually patented under law and cannot be produced by a jeweler until the owner grants them the permission.
But still there are many online jewelers dealing with it where you can check out for any designs you may like.
5. Titanium
Titanium is the lightest metal used in jewelry making. It comes with a grayish color with a number of customizable options as well. You can find titanium jewelry in a variety of colors including red, orange, green and blue etc.
Titanium is completely hypoallergenic and is also used in medical implants as well.
Other benefits of titanium are:
- Highly resistant towards scratches
- Can resist most of the damages like falling on rough surfaces etc.
- Lightweight properties
Only con of titanium metal is its appearance. It is not as much shiny and glamorous as expensive metals like gold or platinum. If you compromise on its looks, it can be a good choice.
What Metals Cause Problem for Sensitive Ears
Sensitive ears are highly reactive towards copper and nickel. These two metals are the main culprit when it comes to introducing non-hypoallergenic properties. For example, silver itself is a safe metal to wear for people with sensitive ears. But when copper or nickel are added to it for strengthening, silver starts to bring allergies or turn skin green.
How To Avoid Problems for Sensitive Ears
All you have to do is to read these instructions and act on it.
- Always ask your jeweler for metal used in a jewelry before buying.
- Avoid nickel and copper jewelry at all costs.
- Avoid plated or even gold vermeil jewelry.
- Don’t use lower purity gold karat jewelry such as 10k.
- Make sure you wash your hands before wearing jewelry.
- Avoid using cosmetic items while wearing jewelry. Try to wear jewelry after 5 to 10 minutes of applying items like perfume, lotion etc.
- Remove the jewelry item as soon as possible if problems start to appear.
Conclusion
Some people can experience issues like allergies on wearing certain type of jewelry. This is due to them having sensitive skin. This is all natural and we cannot change it. But we can just follow the procedure that can reduce the chances of reactions. It is better for people with sensitive skin to avoid all type of jewelry containing even trace amounts of copper or nickel. Apart, certain types of stainless steel jewelry can also be non-hypoallergenic. So, its better to always question your jeweler about the hypoallergenic properties before buying.