Nickel-free Jewelry Uncovered: Your Guide to Hypoallergenic Jewelry for Sensitive Skin

A. What is nickel?

Nickel is a chemical element with the atomic number 28 and symbol Ni. It is a silvery-white, ductile metal with a slight golden tinge that takes on a blue or purplish hue when exposed to air. Nickel belongs to the transition metals and is hard and brittle at room temperature. It has good corrosion resistance, making it useful for coinage, jewelry, and other decorative items. Nickel is also used in many alloys such as stainless steel because of its high strength and low thermal expansion coefficient.

1. Who discovered nickel?

The recognition of nickel as a mineral was traced back to circa 3,500 BC. Nickel was first isolated and classified as a metal by Axel Fredrik Cronstedt, who erroneously attributed the mineral to a copper ore in Los, Halsingland, Sweden.

2. Where did nickel get its name?

Its name comes from a mischievous sprite of German miner mythology. It means “old Nick”.

3. Where is nickel found? Who produces nickel?

Before the pandemic, in 2019, world nickel production was about 2.7 million tonnes. The output of the top 11 producers makes more than 86% of the nickel mined. These are Indonesia (800,000 tonnes), Philippines (420,000 tonnes), Russia (270,000 tonnes), New Caledonia (220,000 tonnes), Canada (180,000 tonnes), Australia (180,000 tonnes), China (110,000 tonnes), Brazil (67,000 tonnes), Cuba (51,000 tonnes), United States (14,000 tonnes).

4. Will nickel rust?

Nickel does not rust. Nickel is not an iron alloy. Rust is a type of oxidation that causes iron and its alloys to corrode and deteriorate over time. Iron enters into reaction with oxygen in the presence of water or humidity. The result of the process is various iron oxides. The color of rust ranges from red to orange to yellow, depending on the metal’s composition. Rust can be prevented by coating the metal with paint, but it will eventually reappear if this layer wears off.

5. How much does nickel weigh?

Nickel has a density of 8.9 g/cm³. Thus, a nickel cube with a 1 cm side will weigh about 9 grams.

6. Will nickel tarnish?

Nickel does tarnish like sterling silver. This is also true for nickel plating. With time, a blackish layer will cover certain parts of the shiny metal that have been exposed to wet and humid environments.

7. When nickel is added to alloy steel?

The addition of nickel to steel makes it more durable and increases hardness. As a result, the alloy becomes more scratch resistant.

8. Will nickel stick to a magnet?

Ferromagnetic materials like nickel, iron and cobalt are strongly attracted to magnets. This is because the atoms in these materials have a magnetic moment, which is a measure of the strength of their magnetic field. When these atoms are lined up in the same direction, they create a ferromagnetic material that can be attracted to magnets. When a nickel bar is exposed to a magnet, it will be attracted. However, this does not imply that every nickel-plated item or alloy, including nickel, will be attracted by a magnetic field. Generally speaking, for jewelry, the nickel content is so low that magnetic effects are not observed. There is a very weak attraction and the general behavior is dictated by the majority part of the piece which is not magnetic.

9. How is nickel plating done?

Nickel plating is a process that coats a metal surface with nickel. The nickel layer protects the metal from corrosion and helps to give it a shiny appearance. The most common type of nickel plating uses an acid bath, but there are also some newer methods that don’t use acid. The acid bath method begins by cleaning the metal surface and then coating it with a thin layer of nickel sulphate. Next, the metal is placed in a vat of hot nitric acid, which dissolves the nickel sulphate and forms a Nickel plating bath. The metal is then lowered into the bath and the acid begins to eat away at the surface of the metal, creating a thin layer of nickel. When the layer is thick enough, the metal is removed from the bath and rinsed with water.

B. What is nickel allergy?

Nickel allergy (Nickel allergic contact dermatitis or NACD) is a metal allergy that affects people with sensitive skin. A person with nickel allergy may experience an allergic reaction when they come into contact with nickel. Symptoms of a nickel allergy include rash, hives, itching, and blisters. It is not a life-threatening allergy. There is no cure for nickel allergy, but treatments are available to help manage symptoms. The mentioned effects do not happen immediately after contact. They can only appear after a sufficient level of absorption has been reached, which takes time.

1. How does nickel affect human health?

Nickel is a common metal that can be found in various items, including coins, jewelry, and eyeglasses. While nickel is not harmful to everyone, it can cause an allergic reaction in people with sensitive skin. Symptoms of a nickel allergy include a rash, hives, and itching.

2. Are nickel allergies common?

According to the Nickel Instititute, “On average 12% to 15% of women and 1% to 2% of men are allergic to nickel”. According to Clevelenad Clinic, about 10% of the US population is affected by nickel allergy. People with sensitive skin are more likely to experience an allergic reaction to nickel. There are a few ways to test for a nickel allergy, including a patch test and a blood test. If you think you may have a nickel allergy, talk to your doctor.

C. What does nickel-free mean in jewelry?

When it comes to jewelry, nickel and lead are two allergen metals that you’ll want to avoid. Nickel is often used in silver-plated jewelry, while lead is found in some gold-plated pieces. These metals can cause various levels of unease. So what does “lead and nickel free” mean when it comes to jewelry? It means that the piece is made without any traces of either metal. This doesn’t just apply to earrings, necklaces and rings; it also includes watches, bracelets and other accessories. For the sake of simplicity, if a metal has nickel, but it is entrapped in the core, it is practically “nickel-free” as the metal does not come into contact with the skin.

1. What are nickel-free earrings?

A nickel allergy is one of the most common causes of an allergic reaction to jewelry. Nickel is often found in earrings, rings, and other jewelry items. For people with nickel allergies, wearing these items can cause a skin rash, itchiness, and redness. Thankfully, there are many nickel-free earrings available on the market today. These earrings are made from materials such as 316L type stainless steel, titanium, platinum or rhodium plated white gold. These bring the metallic shine, and they are safe for people with nickel allergies. If you are looking for a pair of nickel-free earrings, be sure to check the materials list before purchasing.

2. Will nickel-free jewelry tarnish?

Nickel is not the only metal that does tarnish. Unfinished brass or sterling silver are open to tarnishing too. For example, sterling gathers black spots on its surface after tarnish. This happens when the silver reacts with sulfur compounds in the air. It’s important to keep your sterling silver jewelry clean and dry to prevent tarnish from forming. If your sterling silver does start to tarnish, you can use a silver wipe or a silver polish with a soft cloth to restore its white luster.

3. Will nickel-free rings turn your finger green?

Generally, the copper in the jewelry piece is the main culprit for the blackish green marks on your wrist or around your finger. Sterling silver, rose gold and copper jewelry can lead to this type of discoloring. For example, sterling silver is a type of metal that is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. Copper is often used in jewelry because it increases hardness and durability at a low cost. Copper is a malleable metal. It has a low melting point, so it is easy to work with. It is often combined with other metals to create stronger alloys. If this copper enters into contact with your skin, with the presence of sweat, heat and other chemical substances like deodorant and perfumes, green lines may be seen.

4. Are nickel-free earrings hypoallergenic?

Nickel may be the foremost allergen metal, but it is not alone. Lead is also a metal that may trigger allergic reactions. Also, allergies are not solely caused by metals. There are many sorts of allergies like food allergy, pet allergy, pollen allergy. One type is latex allergy. This is the allergy to natural rubber products. For example, bracelets made from rubber may trigger such allergies. So the moral of the story is, for a hypoallergenic jewelry piece, all materials used should be harmless and safe for sensitive skin. Nickel is just one allergen to be avoided. Many people choose to wear nickel-free earrings for this very reason. However, it is important to note that not all nickel-free earrings are created equal. Some nickel-free earrings may still contain other metals that could cause an allergic reaction.

5. Does nickel-free jewelry change color?

The absence of nickel in a jewelry metal does not diminish the possibility of color change. For example, low quality steel pieces which are iron alloys can rust. Or, sterling silver items can tarnish despite not having any nickel. Clearly, nickel-free pieces can change color.

6. How much nickel is in sterling silver?

Nickel is not a component of sterling silver. Yet, it may be included in the mix. Sterling silver is made up of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals. This second part mostly comes from copper, which is an abundant base metal. Sterling silver may include trace amounts of nickel that has entered the composition via this copper part. Producers can also include nickel as a component to increase durability. So, if you are particularly sensitive to nickel, it is always best to check with the seller to learn if their jewelry item contains any nickel.

7. Why is there nickel plated brass?

Nickel-plated brass is often chosen for its shine and luster. The nickel plating process coats the brass with a thin layer of nickel, giving it a bright silver finish. This finish can be maintained with regular cleaning and polishing, making your brass fixtures look like new for years to come. Additionally, nickel-plated brass is less likely to corrode or tarnish than plain brass, making it a more durable option for fixtures and hardware.

8. Is nickel made of silver?

Nickel is not made of silver, but it is often mistaken for the precious metal. Silver is a precious metal that is used in many applications, while nickel is a common metal that has many uses. They are different elements on the periodic table. Silver is a soft, shiny metal that is often used in coins, bars and jewelry, while nickel is a hard, matte metal that is used in coins, tools, and other industrial applications.

9. Why wear nickel-free jewelry?

Nickel allergy is the most common type of metal allergy. It is estimated that nickel allergy affects about 10% of the United States. Nickel is a common component of jewelry, coins, keys, and other metal objects that people come into contact with on a daily basis. Symptoms of nickel allergy can range from a rash, blister or other skin irritation. People with nickel allergy should avoid wearing jewelry made with nickel and its alloys. Nickel-free jewelry is the first and easiest move to remain safe for people with nickel allergy.