With an estimated 1 in 7 people suffering from nickel allergy it’s important to be aware of the symptoms and how to avoid jewellery containing nickel. The allergy is a contact allergy i.e. caused by skin contact to an item containing nickel. Common symptons are a red, itchy, dry rash around the area that has come into contact with the nickel. If you are allergic or develop an allergic reaction it’s important to avoid skin contact with the item causing the rash. Nickel is commonly found in costume jewellery, watch straps, zips and buttons.
The good news is that silver jewellery is a good option if you are allergic. Fine silver is 99% pure and contains no nickel. Sterling silver jewellery is 92.5% silver with 7.5% copper to harden it. Copper jewellery which is usually made of pure copper is ok as are platinum and titanium which is hypoallergenic. Gold, if it is above 14ct is also fine but care must be taken with white gold which may contain nickel and other metals to give it’s silver colour. There is no cure for nickel allergy the best thing is to avoid wearing anything that contains the metal. If you are allergic the perfect solution is affordable and stylish sterling silver jewellery.
Nickel Free Sterling Silver Jewellery
Hallmarking & Silver Jewellery
Hallmarking for silver jewellery was introduced as a way of proving that the jewellery contained the correct percentage of silver. Pure silver is quite soft and it is usual to add a percentage of copper to strengthen it. The normal ratio is 92.5% silver to 7.5% copper hence sterling silver is often referred to as 925 silver. As it is impossible to tell without analysis what the true content is hallmarking was introduced as a mark of quality and assurance.
Jewellery is hallmarked in the UK if the silver content of the jewellery exceeds 7.78 grams, if it is below this figure the piece is exempt. The relevant weight for gold is 1 gram and platinum 0.5 grams. The assay office is responsible for hallmarking, the pieces to be hallmarked are sent via post or courier or can be taken by hand to the office. Once there the item is tested and hallmarked if the precious metal is of the desired standard and percentage.
There are various types of hallmark; a maker’s mark, assay office stamp, standard hallmark and year of manufacture. In 1988 the regulations were changed to bring the UK into line with the rest of Europe. The old hallmarks were made non compulsory and standards were to be expressed as parts per thousand. So the hallmark for pure silver jewellery is 999, sterling 925 and 18ct gold 750 etc.
Rhodium Plating
Rhodium is a member of the platinum family of metals and is used to plate jewellery to help prevent scratching and tarnishing and to give a white, reflective appearance. Rhodium plating is most common on white gold jewellery but is also used to plate silver. Silver is a softer metal than rhodium and can scratch and tarnish over time so rhodium is used to plate the jewellery in question. It is important to remember that rhodium plating does not last forever and the piece will have to be replated eventually. The plating on something that is worn every day such as a ring can wear away in two years or so while something that is worn less frequently such as a necklace can keep it’s plating for ten years or more. The good news is that it’s fairly easy for a jeweller to replate your jewellery, the only thing to be aware of is that the piece needs to be cleaned and polished before replating. The cost of replating will depend on the thickness of the rhodium used. Having said that it’s well worth having a thicker layer of plating put onto frequently worn jewellery as in the long run it will last longer. It’s not crucial to have your silver jewellery rhodium plated but it will help prevent scratches and reduce tarnishing, the choice is yours.