The nickel skin allergy problem

Unfortunately, many people (around 12-15%), the female population especially, are allergic to nickel in contact with the skin and this gives rise to a red skin rash or irritation. This problem applies to costume/fashion jewellery, white gold and steel jewellery, zippers and fasteners and other body piercings.

The European Union countries have enacted legislation (under the EU Nickel Directive) valid from the 20th January 2000 that limits nickel release from jewellery and other items in close and constant contact with the skin. Thus, in Europe, nickel white golds are being phased out and being replaced by palladium white golds, although low nickel alloys that meet the nickel release requirements of the Directive are still in service. This does not guarantee that a nickel-sensitised person will not suffer an allergic skin reaction if wearing jewellery made from such conforming, nickel-containing alloys!

Japan and China have taken a similar position on nickel. The USA is taking a more relaxed approach, requiring jewellery to be labelled as nickel-containing. Many other countries have not taken a stance on nickel in jewellery and nickel white golds are still widely sold.