Nickel-Free Gold Jewelry: What It Means for Sensitive Skin
Posted by YANIV SEGAL
Nickel-free gold jewelry is gold whose alloy contains no nickel. Pure gold is too soft to wear, so it is mixed with other metals, and some white and lower-karat golds have traditionally used nickel. At Segal Jewelry, every alloy we use is nickel-free, made from pure recycled metals. Here is what that means for sensitive skin.
What does nickel-free gold mean?
Gold jewelry is an alloy. 24K gold is close to pure, but it bends and scratches easily, so rings and necklaces are made in 14K or 18K.
14K gold is 58.3% gold and 18K is 75% gold. The rest is a mix of other metals that adds strength and sets the color.
Nickel has been used in some of those mixes, mostly to whiten gold. Nickel-free gold simply means the alloy leaves it out completely.
Is Segal Jewelry nickel-free?
Yes. As our nickel-free gold page explains, we use only high-quality, ethically sourced nickel-free gold and other precious metals.
By limiting our sources to pure recycled metals, we make sure no nickel is present in our alloys. That applies to engagement rings, wedding bands, necklaces and the rest of our jewelry.
Which gold is best for sensitive skin?
Each metal behaves a little differently against the skin. The table below sums up the standard differences, with notes on our own alloys.
| Metal | Gold content | Alloy notes | Sensitive-skin notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14K yellow gold | 58.3% | Gold with alloy metals that keep the warm color | Our alloy is nickel-free |
| 14K white gold | 58.3% | White alloy, usually finished with rhodium plating for a bright white surface | Nickel was traditionally used to whiten gold; ours is nickel-free |
| 14K rose gold | 58.3% | More copper in the mix creates the pink tone | Nickel-free; a few people are sensitive to copper |
| 18K gold (yellow, white or rose) | 75% | Higher gold content, less alloy metal | Less alloy against the skin; a popular choice for sensitive wearers |
| Platinum | Platinum alloy | Naturally white, dense, no plating needed | A common pick for sensitive skin; offered on many of our styles |
If your skin has reacted to jewelry before, 18K or platinum is the usual next step. Both put more precious metal and less alloy against your skin.
We are jewelers, not doctors. If you have a known metal allergy, please talk with a dermatologist, who can test for the exact metals you react to.
Nickel-free white gold and rhodium plating
White gold is naturally a pale, slightly warm white. Jewelers usually add a thin rhodium plating to give it a bright, mirror-white finish.
Rhodium wears down slowly with daily contact. When the warmer gold starts to show through, the ring can be cleaned and replated.
Because our white gold underneath is nickel-free, a worn patch of plating does not expose nickel.
Torn between tones? Our yellow gold vs white gold guide compares the look, upkeep and price side by side.
How can you tell if gold jewelry is nickel-free?
You cannot see nickel by looking at a ring. Use these checks instead.
- Look for a karat stamp such as 14K or 18K inside the band or on the clasp.
- Ask the seller in writing whether the alloy contains nickel, especially for white gold.
- Check the brand's metal policy; ours is published on our nickel-free gold page.
- Be cautious with plated or "gold-tone" pieces, where the base metal is unknown.
- For a known allergy, ask a dermatologist before buying.
Nickel-free engagement rings and necklaces
An engagement ring is worn every day, often for decades, so the metal matters. Our rings are made to order in Los Angeles in 14K and 18K white, yellow and rose gold, with platinum on many styles.
On our ring product pages, the main photo switches to the exact metal and stone you select. You see the tone you are buying before checkout.
Necklaces follow the same policy. Our gold name necklaces come in 14K or 18K yellow, white or rose gold, or platinum, with 14K from $929.
Want to check the size and look first? The $199 Try It In Real Life replica is available for any ring design, sizes 4 to 13 including half sizes. You keep it, and the $199 is credited on orders of $1,000 or more.
Every piece also comes with a lifetime warranty, free 60-day resizing, free engraving, free worldwide shipping and 30-day returns.
Shop the look
- Gorgeous Marquise Cut Black Diamond Pave Engagement Ring With Hidden Stone - Miriam No. 37 — from $2,906 — a marquise black diamond pavé ring in nickel-free gold.
- Lotus Flower Diamond ring - Lotus no. 3 — from $3,898 — a lotus design that looks crisp in white gold or platinum.
- Luxury Pave Oval Cut Emerald Engagement Ring With Hidden Stone - Ophelia No. 64 — from $4,379 — an oval emerald with pavé and a hidden stone.
- Two Tones Gorgeous Oval Cut Black Diamond Pave Double Shank Engagement Ring With Hidden Stone - Phoebe No. 81 — from $6,418 — two gold tones on a double shank.
Frequently asked questions
Is 14K gold nickel-free? Not always; it depends on the alloy. Our 14K yellow, white and rose gold alloys are nickel-free.
Is white gold safe for a nickel allergy? Only if the alloy is nickel-free. Ours is, and the rhodium plating is a finish on top of it.
Is 18K better than 14K for sensitive skin? 18K has 75% gold versus 58.3%, so less alloy touches the skin. Many sensitive wearers prefer it.
Do you offer platinum? Yes, platinum is offered on many of our styles. It is naturally white and needs no plating.
Can you give advice on my allergy? We cannot give medical advice. A dermatologist can test which metals you react to, and we will make the piece in the metal you choose.
