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Many times nickel, another hard metal known also as Ni, is placed between the coating and the silver because it facilitates the adherence and luster of the plating to the metal. When used in silver jewelry, this can cause irritation to those who are sensitive to nickel or have nickel allergies. For that reason, there is nickel-free jewelry available. 95% of our sterling silver jewelry is nickel-free and all of our nickel-free jewelry is clearly marked on the site.
Nickel Allergies On The Rise
...Nickel is a metal often present in certain jewelry components. Nearly 15% of the US population suffers from an allergy to nickel. This figure is up from 10% in the 80’s, due, it is believed, to the increased popularity of body piercing.
Symptoms
...People suffering from allergies to nickel have symptoms ranging from slight itching and redness of the skin to blisters at the area of contact. Actually, it is the nickel salts formed when the metal comes in contact with perspiration that cause the allergy. Once an allergy to nickel has been acquired, it is usually lifelong.
Ban On Nickel
...This problem is so prevalent that, since January 2000, the European Union has imposed a nickel ban on all jewelry sold there. The European nickel free standard states that items labeled “nickel free” may contain no more than 0.05% nickel (no more than 1 part in 2000 that is nickel)
Surgical Steel
...Surgical steel, often used in earring wires and advertised as hypo-allergenic, is NOT nickel free, usually containing 8% nickel. People with a slight nickel allergy may tolerate surgical steel earrings for a few hours or maybe even all day. But they may be so sensitive that even the buttons of their jeans cannot touch their skin. Why chance it? Unless specifically stated otherwise,
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