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White gold allergy?

Is it possible to suddenly develop an allergy to white gold? I've worn this same 10k white gold ring for 3 years with no worries. However, last month my finger under the ring started to itch like crazy and had a red band where the ring was. I took it off for a few weeks and it went back to normal, but now that the ring has been back on for a week or so, my finger is back to itchy and red...

Any jewelers/dermatologists/good googlers out there?

I'm allergic to most metals.. but have a white gold ring that I don't take off... for any jewelry, if I put a thin coating of clear nail polish where the jewelry would touch the skin.. I'm good.

I'd make sure that the ring is really clean.. it's possible to develop allergies late, but it might be a soap or something that's on the ring causing the reaction.

You are most likely allergic to some nickel in the gold or other metal. I'd get tested for a nickel allergy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ustwo

You are most likely allergic to some nickel in the gold or other metal. I'd get tested for a nickel allergy.

Especially if it is an antique ring. According to <a href="http://gilletts.com.au/information.php?info_id=13">Gillett's Jewellers</a>:

Quote:

White gold is an alloy of gold and some white metals such as silver and palladium. White gold can be 18ct, 14ct, 9ct or any karat. For example, 18ct yellow gold is made by mixing 75% gold (750 parts per thousand) with 25% (250 parts per thousand) other metals such as copper and zinc. 18ct white gold is made by mixing 75% gold with 25% other metals such as silver and palladium. So the amount of gold is the same but the alloy is different.

Traditionally nickel was used in white gold, however, nickel is no longer used in most white gold made today as nickel can cause reactions with some people. We do not use nickel in our white gold.

When white gold rings are new they are coated with another white metal called Rhodium. Rhodium is a metal very similar to platinum and Rhodium shares many of the properties of platinum including its white color.

The rhodium plating is used to make the white gold look more white. The natural color of white gold is actually a light grey color. The Rhodium is very white and very hard, but it does wear away eventually. To keep a white gold ring looking its best it should be re-rhodium plated approximately each 12 to 18 months. Most local jewelers are able to rhodium plate jewelry for a cost effective price.

And the above is why I never understood why anyone would want 'white gold'.

*glares at wife*

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ustwo

And the above is why I never understood why anyone would want 'white gold'.

*glares at wife*

White gold is a lot more flattering on most skin tones, and it looks less cheesey than yellow gold.

I hate how gold looks on me so I go with any of platinum, silver or white gold...

Being a real man, the only jewlery on my body is a thin band of gold to tell the rest of the swooning women that I'm taken. I have no idea which metal alloys look best on my body, nor will I ever.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ustwo

Being a real man, the only jewlery on my body is a thin band of gold to tell the rest of the swooning women that I'm taken. I have no idea which metal alloys look best on my body, nor will I ever.

that'd be the ring thru your nose right? :lol:

don't worry, darlin', married men just have this look about them... you don't need a ring to advertise... We can tell..

Quote:

Originally Posted by maleficent

that'd be the ring thru your nose right? :lol:

don't worry, darlin', married men just have this look about them... you don't need a ring to advertise... We can tell..

Well someone my age, looks, and profession is either married or gay so you might have a point there :p

Quote:

Originally Posted by maleficent

don't worry, darlin', married men just have this look about them... you don't need a ring to advertise... We can tell..

It's the eyes.. the eyes are dead inside...

If white gold is plated with rhodium to cover its grey color & make it white, then why bother with white old at all? Why not wear something else plated with rhodium that is easier on the pocketbook? Who would know?
This is why I like silver...

In a more meaningful post, fortunately for both of us, my girlfriend prefers silver jewellery as well. Although her dad bought her a really nice silver bracelet from Tiffany's for her high school graduation. I have not the funds to top that. So there is a downside.

It does raise the question of what we'll do when the time comes for wedding bands, too.