I need help. A few years ago, for our 30th anniversary, my husband gave me a really gorgeous ring – rose gold with an inset square of pave diamonds. These were the first diamonds ever purchased for me (long story). I had wanted a ring I could wear everyday to replace a very plain inexpensive gold band.
So I did wear it everyday, loved the ring, until I developed a burning type rash under the ring and apparently an allergy to rose gold. I need to trade the ring in for something I can wear … my dermatologist recommends platinum but I am not a silver fan …
I was thinking that allergies to gold are usually a reaction to one of the other metals mixed with the gold, nickel is a common offender. A quick search showed that it might be the copper in the rose gold? Maybe worth doing a patch test to see what you’re actually allergic to? Another search suggested that 18k gold might work as an alternative to platinum since you don’t like the silver color. Maybe also talk to some jewelers to see if they have suggestions. Good luck!
Platinum is your best bet. It is the purest of the metals used in jewelry. Yellow or rose-tinted “Golds” are alloys that contain copper and silver in addition to gold, so if you had issues with your rose gold, it is likely that you will have issues with other non-white golds. Jewelry labeled “platinum” is 95% plus pure platinum and can contain up to 5% iridium, palladium, etc. making it hypoallergenic (tested on yours truly - no more swollen earlobes even though I hardly ever take out my tiny studs).
I had a family member that had to have her ring remade with platinum for the same reason. I agree with having more testing so you know exactly which alloy is causing the reaction.
Makers don’t always disclose what is present in their “gold” beyond the required karat, so here is the issue with allergy testing - even if you know the culprit, you will not be able to readily tell if it is present in the ring until you wear it for a while (or if a jeweler tests the ring composition for you).
If a regular gold band hasn’t been an issue, you could probably have the ring reset in a new band.
Tangent: my grandmother’s ring c. 1926-7 was 22kt. GF wanted 24kt, but jeweler convinced him it would become misshapened over time. It is the most beautiful color.
A number of years ago, I was reacting to my wedding ring. I would stop wearing the ring and let the rash heal. Once I started wearing the ring again, the rash would reappear. At the time, I was working in a field that required lots of hand washing. A coworker suggested that I have the ring cleaned. That did the trick! No more rashes from wearing my rings, and that was 20 years ago.
It’s almost embarrassing to write about this here, but if it helps OP, it is worth it. Really, my ring didn’t look dirty!
@cnp55 - “Rose Gold” is an alloy - well all gold is but the “rose” color comes from adding copper and silver - copper can be almost 1/3 the alloy. It I react to both copper and silver but I have no problem wearing gold rings. If you don’t want to get the ring changed try coating the inside of the ring with clear nail polish - sounds funny but apparently it works. It creates a barrier between the metals and your skin.
Yes, this happened to me as well. After repeatedly getting a rash under my wedding ring I googled it and found a number of articles about how to clean the ring. I can’t remember which I used, but it worked! I haven’t had a rash in over a year. Google “wedding ring rash”.
Talk with a dermatologist. He/she can do testing & give you tips to help you figure out what to do.
I am allergic to hair dye, and my testing involved metals. The test is easy, and it definitely reveals whether or not certain things cause issues. I itched like crazy where the compound to which I am allergic (PPD) was on the test strip.