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Everything Ear Care: Let's Talk About Metals

4/6/2021 — By Jill Burke

Have you ever wondered about the metal in your earrings? What kind of metal is it, and why? Which is the safest metal for earrings? Which metals aren't safe?

We rounded up some information on common metals used in earrings, which metals are hypoallergenic, which are not, what their characteristics are, and the pros and cons of each option.

Allergenic Metals

Each of these metals is either known to illicit an allergic reaction or is most commonly alloyed with metals that will cause an allergic reaction.

Aluminum

Shiny, stable, and malleable, aluminum is an affordable metal found in costume and artisanal jewelry. A small percentage of people may be allergic to aluminum, so if you have a jewelry allergy, be cautious about buying Aluminum jewelry.

Brass

Brass is another metal commonly used in costume jewelry. It offers an affordable alternative to precious metals and has an attractive color. Brass is often used in casting and is very strong. If brass is alloyed with too much copper it may turn green over time. Brass may also be alloyed with nickel, which is known to cause allergic reactions and earring sensitivity, so that is also something to keep in mind.

Bronze

Another strong, affordable metal, bronze is ideal for use in detailed, delicate jewelry. It is also commonly alloyed with nickel or aluminum, so it may affect people with metal allergies such as a nickel allergy.

Copper

Copper is more expensive than bronze, brass, or aluminum, but less expensive than gold, silver, or platinum. It has an attractive reddish color. When worn too long, copper will turn skin green and darkens over time from oxidization.

Pewter

According to the Jewelry Information Place, Pewter is the fourth most popular metal used in jewelry. Commonly found in costume jewelry, pewter is soft and prone to denting. It is also known to bother people with metal allergies.

Silver

Silver is a beautiful metal that is too soft to be used in jewelry without mixing it with other metals. Therefore, silver cannot be called hypoallergenic as it is likely going to be mixed with a metal that may cause an allergic reaction. Most metal allergy earrings are a result of alloyed metals.

Non Allergenic Metals

Among these materials are metals used to make hypoallergenic earrings or medical grade earrings. Some are only hypoallergenic in their pure form and may also be alloyed with allergy-causing metals, read carefully to figure out which allergy free jewelry option is best for you.

Gold

Pure gold is hypoallergenic, but like other soft metals, gold is commonly alloyed with less precious metals to increase its hardness. The higher the karat value of the gold in your jewelry, the more pure, meaning you will decrease your chance of having a bad reaction to the jewelry.

Niobium

Niobium is a hypoallergenic metal that is corrosion-resistant and strong. Niobium earrings are a great choice for everyday earrings since they will not irritate your ears. Through anodization, niobium jewelry exists in a wide array of colors from pink to blue to iridescent. A great choice for those in search of trendy allergy free jewelry.

Titanium

Titanium is a hypoallergenic metal that is strong, beautiful, and tarnish resistant. Titanium earrings are non allergenic earrings meaning they will not create problems for people with a metal sensitivity, metal allergy, nickel allergy, etc. Titanium is 45% lighter than steel, which makes titanium jewelry ultra-comfortable and a perfect material for everyday earrings.

We hope you learned something about identifying which metals are best for you jewelry, earring, and sensitive skin needs.

For trendy earrings that won't hurt your ears and other trendy hypoallergenic jewelry, check out the Tini Lux shop.

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