Buying Silver Jewelry

Silver is very soft metal in its pure form so it is mixed with some alloys so that it can be moulded in Jewelry and other widgets.

The allergy that occurs by wearing original or artificial jewelry is referred as Nickel dermatitis or Contact dermatitis or Nickel allergy.

It is basically a contact allergy. It can happen anytime at any age. Every single human body reacts to different degree with nickel depending upon the tolerance and susceptibility level.
The main cause of these allergies is the nickel content present in the gold and silver ornaments.
Pure gold and silver metal are too soft to be mounted into any form therefore, jeweler mix nickel, zinc and copper into the pure metal to make it little hard enabling to give the desired shape to the metal.
Zinc and copper do not harm the skin but skin is always sensitive to nickel. People wearing jewelries are allergic to nickel and not with the Jewelry Gold itself is reactive and causes allergy but, mostly nickel is the main reason. Gold of any karat would contain nickel like 14K, 18K etc. In the same way silver is also mixed with nickel and copper to attain hardness and durability required to make the jewelry items.

Nickel is commonly used for gold and silver jewels as it costs less, gives better hardness and has strong lustrous effect.
Another reason for the allergy is sweat. During the sunny days, when jewelry is worn for a longer duration, skin perspires under the jewelry. This perspiration comes in the contact with the jewelry metal, dissolves the nickel present in the metal and form nickel salts. Salt reacts with the skin and leads to the allergy. Women suffer more with this allergy than men.

The Symptoms of these Allergies are :

[1] Bleeding.
[2] Pierced hole in ear or nose swells and yellow coloured liquid known as pus comes out.
[3] There is a constant itching and burning sensation around the area where the skin comes in direct contact with the jewelry item. For example – Gold chain in the neck, earrings in the ear etc.
[4] Few people get a blue coloured patch in their finger, which is visible after the ring is removed. And also skin discolouration takes place.
[5] Rashes or patchy red marks appear on the skin under the jewelry.

Being extra cautious while taking bath or washing hands can avoid these problems. Always ensure to wipe off the soap and water from the body fully.
To protect the fingers from the allergies, apply several coats of clear or transparent nail polish at the back of the ring. In same way nail polish can be applied to other jewelry items too. The problem of allergies will be solved.

Few other precautions that can be taken to avoid allergy are – apply talcum powder before wearing the jewelry to prevent the moisture. Do not wear tight earrings or rings or chains, leave little space so that air passes through it. These precautions and care the allergy can be avoided and they can continue to look good by wearing the fascinating jewelry items.

If you are concerned about the jewelry you already own, you can test it for the presence of nickel. Just ask your pharmacist or dermatologist for a "nickel testing" kit. Test your jewelry risk free from damage.

If you own any gold pieces less than 12 carats, chances are it contains nickel.
There is a simple and inexpensive solution to your jewelry allergies...wear Sterling Silver that is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper alloy.

For those who are nickel sensitive, fine silver and sterling silver are great choices for "white" metals.