Jewelry Lovers With Sensitive Ears Can Rejoice!

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Today, jewelry lovers with extra-sensitive skin are no longer limited in the variety of earrings that they can safely wear. Some shoppers, however, may be unaware of the newer types of hypoallergenic earrings that exist for sensitive ears. Large costume jewelry pieces still contain the cheaper metal alloys, which include nickel, but a bigger range of eye-catching earrings and ear cuffs has hit the market that are made for sensitive skin.

Professional piercers estimate that 50 percent of those who get their ears pierced are sensitive to nickel, which is the biggest offender of the metal alloys. Generally, individuals with severe allergies are sensitive to sterling silver, copper, brass, 14-karat gold and even some materials labeled as hypoallergenic. Some people find that they can wear 18-karat gold jewelry with no problem. However, what works for one person may cause another person to swell, bleed and itch.

Safest Materials For People With Sensitive Skin

One of the latest and most fascinating materials for allergy-safe ear wear is Niobium. This precious metal is popular with jewelers, since it takes on striking colors when given an electrical charge, which is called anodizing. Rich blues, greens, purples, reds and black are just some of the shiny colors that this metal can assume. The color can slightly lighten over time, but it remains quite colorful. Niobium is a pure metal with no alloys, and it is almost as hard as titanium.

Titanium, just like niobium, is both safe for people with sensitive ears and it changes color when anodized. The colors are permanent, but there is no way to make titanium turn black. While titanium is stronger than Niobium, it is also very lightweight and contains no traces of nickel.

Pure gold is hypoallergenic, however, in its pure state it is too soft to hold a permanent shape. Therefore, it needs other metals mixed into it to provide strength. Nickel may be present as an alloy, especially in gold of fewer karats. Some people with metal allergies can wear 14-karat gold jewelry, but many more are able to wear 18-karat gold.

Additionally, combinations of gold and platinum will work well for those with sensitive skin, however, platinum makes the cost comparatively high. Alternately, gold-plated, gold-filled and gold overlay are not right for anyone with sensitivities to metals, since these are extremely thin layers of gold on top of metal alloys. These small amounts of gold may chip and rub off very easily.

Other Materials That Work For Some People With Metal Allergies

Glass, acrylics and plastic polymers can substitute for metal in earrings, and they do not affect people with allergies to metal. The supplies of stylish earrings that are made from these inert materials have blossomed recently, and professional piercers are frequently using them as well. All three categories come in a wealth of dazzling colors, artistic shapes and styles.

Surprisingly, hypoallergenic ear wear irritate many wearers, because most of them contain stainless steel and not surgical steel. This means that they also contain small amounts of nickel. When buying hypoallergenic earrings, always look for some sign that says the earrings are nickel-free as well.

Sterling silver works for some jewelry wearers with sensitive skin. Additionally, sterling silver earrings are economical and readily available. Make sure the sterling silver carries the stamp of 925, which signifies authenticity. This gives the wearer with sensitive skin the best chance for compatibility with the ear wear.