Which Jewelry Metals are Hypoallergenic? A Guide to Allergy-Friendly Jewelry

By Brook Helton

Published: July 03, 2024

If you have a metal allergy, you’re probably sick of the redness, itching, and irritation whenever you put on a pair of earrings. But even if you’re allergic to certain metals, you don’t need to live without a little extra sparkle in your life. Instead, all you have to do is find jewelry made with hypoallergenic metals.

“While no metal can be guaranteed to be completely hypoallergenic for everyone, certain metals are less likely to cause allergic reactions in individuals with metal allergies,” says Jake Woods, MD, clinical dermatologist at Gya Labs.

Learn which metals are considered “hypoallergenic” below, and discover how to choose jewelry that will keep your skin happy.

What is a metal allergy?

A metal allergy is a form of contact dermatitis, a reaction that happens when your skin comes into contact with an allergen, in this case, a certain type of metal. It can cause symptoms like redness, swelling, itchiness, and rashes at the contact site – like on your fingertips after touching a coin, or on your earlobes when wearing earrings.

It’s possible to develop an allergy to any type of metal, but the most common culprit is nickel, which affects around 18% of Americans.

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What are hypoallergenic metals?

“Hypoallergenic metals are typically those that have a lower likelihood of causing allergic reactions compared to others,” Dr. Woods explains.

For example, while a bracelet containing nickel might make your skin break out, one made with titanium might not bother you at all. Your doctor can order an allergy patch test with different types of metal to help you identify your specific triggers.

Are metal alloys hypoallergenic?

An alloy is a mix of one or more metals. Jewelers often use alloys in their jewelry to make the piece stronger or more durable for long-term wear. But whether or not an alloy is “hypoallergenic” depends on the metals it uses.

For example, gold alloys sometimes use nickel, which can be triggering for people with a nickel sensitivity. “Always check the metal content of jewelry and look for documentation or labels indicating that the piece is hypoallergenic or nickel-free,” says Dr. Woods.

Types of hypoallergenic metals

With that in mind, the following metals are generally considered “hypoallergenic” for many people. But Dr. Woods notes that your individual sensitivity can vary. “What works for one person may not work for another,” he explains.

For that reason, it’s a good idea to give your jewelry of choice a “test run” by wearing it for a short amount of time to see if it irritates your skin. Some people have immediate reactions to nickel, while it can take up to 72 hours for a reaction to appear in others.

Titanium

Titanium allergies are much less prevalent than other types of metal – only around 0.6% of people are allergic to titanium. Plus, titanium is highly biocompatible, meaning that it can come into contact with your body’s tissues without causing harm. That makes it a great candidate for jewelry worn in piercings, like earrings.

Platinum

Platinum is a popular choice for jewelry due to its durability and hypoallergenic properties, says Dr. Woods. Platinum has a high level of purity. Platinum jewelry typically contains about 85 to 95% pure platinum, meaning that there’s a low chance of other metals entering the mix.

Some evidence indicates also that platinum allergies aren’t as prevalent as other types. According to an older study of 446 people, only two tested positive for a platinum allergy.

Stainless steel

“Surgical-grade stainless steel is generally safe for people with metal allergies because of its low nickel content,” says Zev Shulhof, MD, practitioner at Iconic Implants.

Stainless steel alloys can contain around 9 to 28% nickel, but this amount generally isn’t enough to trigger a reaction in people with nickel allergies. Stainless steel also keeps the nickel content tightly bound in the metal, so it’s less likely to “shed” nickel flakes that irritate the skin.

Gold

In general, fewer people are allergic to gold than other types of metal. An older study involving over 4100 people found that only 9.5% were allergic to gold. Additionally, certain types of gold are less likely to cause reactions than others.

“Higher karat gold, such as 18-karat yellow gold, is often better tolerated by individuals with nickel allergies,” says Dr. Miller. This is because 18-karat gold has a higher purity level than other types of gold – it contains around 75% real gold. So, it’s less likely to contain a triggering amount of nickel. Gold can also be alloyed with metal other than nickel, like silver, copper, and rhodium.

Silver

Sterling silver typically contains around 92% pure silver, and it’s often mixed with copper to create alloys. Just keep in mind that some types of silver jewelry can contain nickel. A piece of jewelry may also be “silver plated” and contain a metal with higher amounts of nickel underneath the plating.

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Conclusion: Hypoallergenic jewelry metals

Metal allergies can cramp your style. But, you don’t have to say goodbye to jewelry, even if you have one. While no metal is 100% hypoallergenic, you can find jewelry options that are safe for people with common metal allergies. Just check the product description for your potential allergens and only wear it for a short time, to see if your skin will react.

Oh, and by the way: If you’re on the lookout for hypoallergenic jewelry that’s safe for sensitive skin, CordsClub is here for you. Our earrings are only made with hypoallergenic metals, titanium,18-karat gold, or surgical-grade stainless steel, so you can wear them without worry. They also feature flat back earrings, which are more comfortable for long-term wear.

If you sign up for our emails, you can even get a monthly discount code delivered to your inbox. We can’t wait for you to join the club!

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Frequently Asked Questions

I have really sensitive ears. What are your pieces made of?

My team and I have sensitive ears, too! Our goal is to provide high quality, affordable, hypoallergenic options for our sensitive-eared girlies. All materials are listed in each product's item description. We use stainless steel, surgical steel, and implant grade titanium in our earrings. These materials are rust and tarnish proof and won't turn your skin green.

If your ears are extra extra sensitive, I recommend giving our flat back earrings a try! They're made of surgical grade materials. Less than 1% of the population is allergic to true implant grade titanium, which makes it the best metal for sensitive skin.

To learn more about why implant grade titanium is awesome, read this peer-reviewed article: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/12/2/214

Note that our gold titanium flat back studs do have an 18K Gold PVD plating. If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Is your jewelry waterproof?

Oh yeah! 99% of our earrings are waterproof. Unless otherwise stated (we have a few hand painted statement earrings), you're getting jewelry that you can get wet.

My clicker hoop clasp seems to be getting loose. How can I fix that?

It's inevitable. Your favorite pair of hoops won't stay shut anymore. So annoying! Simply put a little pressure on the post part that goes through your ear until it shifts a tiny bit up or down. Keep doing that until it clicks in snugly. Be careful not to press too hard though!

Do you offer discounts?

We are priced very fairly when you look at other brands with our same caliber of quality! We do have a monthly discount and an extra special yearly birthday discount for members of our Cords Club (it's free!).

Do you have a loyalty rewards program?

We do! Earn rewards for such tasks as referring friends to Cords Club, making a purchase, following us on social media, and more! Find out more about our rewards program here.

Did you have rewards points with the old Indiecords site? Fear not! Reach out to hello@cordsclub.com with the details.

References

Clinic, C. (2024, July 3). Allergic to Metals? 6 Surprising Places They May Lurk. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/are-you-allergic-to-metals-6-surprising-places-they-may-lurk

Hanawa, T. (2022). Biocompatibility of titanium from the viewpoint of its surface. Science and Technology of Advanced Materials, 23(1), 457–472. https://doi.org/10.1080/14686996.2022.2106156

Jewelry allergy. (2023, June 14). DermNet®. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/jewellery-allergy

Jewelry Metals 101: Gold, Silver, and Platinum - Gem Society. (2023, November 13). International Gem Society. https://www.gemsociety.org/article/jewelry-metals-overview/

Nickel allergy: How to avoid exposure and reduce symptoms. (n.d.). https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/eczema/insider/nickel-allergy

Niedzielska, I., Sitek-Ignac, N., Bąk, M., & Niedzielski, D. (2022). Is Allergy to Titanium Bone Fixation Plates a Problem? Coatings, 12(2), 214. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings12020214

Platinum Jewelry. (n.d.). Jewelers of America. https://www.jewelers.org/buying-jewelry/jewelry-buying-guides/jewelry-metals-buying-guide/platinum-jewelry#:~:text=Purity%20&%20Quality%20Marks,Platinum%E2%80%9D%20or%20any%20abbreviation%20thereof.

Positive patch-test reactions to platinum are rare. (2008, June 1). PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18627687/

Professional, C. C. M. (n.d.). Nickel Allergy. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17842-nickel-allergy

Singh, R., Sharma, R., & Ranjan, N. (2017). Four-Dimensional Printing for Clinical Dentistry. In Elsevier eBooks (pp. 329–355). https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-803581-8.10167-5

What do you need to know about nickel allergy? (n.d.). https://nickelinstitute.org/en/science/what-do-you-need-to-know-about-nickel-allergy/

Yoshihisa, Y., & Shimizu, T. (2012). Metal Allergy and Systemic Contact Dermatitis: An Overview. Dermatology Research and Practice, 2012, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/749561

Nickel Allergy. (n.d.). https://www.aocd.org/page/NickelAllergy

Gold allergy in North America. (2001, March 1). PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11244133/#:~:text=Results%3A%20Of%204%2C101%20patients%20tested,%2C%20and%20eyelids%20(7.5%25).