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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Seeking silver plating of my white gold rings

I got married 7 months ago. My wedding and engagement rings are both White Gold. I have since discovered I have an allergy to White Gold. Does anyone know of somewhere in Exeter (or the vicinity of) where I could get these silver plated?

Sarah Awbery
- Exeter, Devon
2003

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Hi, Sarah. I would be quite surprised if your allergy was actually to pure gold. Most gold jewelry is an alloy of gold plus other metals. You are probably allergic to nickel and this white gold ring probably has nickel in it. I would inquire of the jeweler who sold it to you whether it has nickel in it and whether it is allowed by law to sell rings that have nickel in them.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2003

Hi - I was wondering if the lady who posted this question got things sorted out. I recently had a white gold ring made and find that when I wear it I get a rash (after just a couple of hours). The rash is like little water blisters, and very itchy! I have been told by the jeweler that there is no nickel in it. Is there any possibility I could be allergic to the other elements in the white gold?

Paula McCann
- Maynooth, Ireland
2004

I have recently been wondering if I have an allergy to my white gold wedding ring. I have been married for 3 years, but in the past month have been developing a painful red scaly area underneath my ring. I took my ring off, let the area heal, then put the ring back on and by the next day I had the same thing come right back.

Jessica Roy
- Columbia, Missouri, USA
2005

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2005

A dermatologist can sort out the problem for you, Jessica, since they are familiar with metal allergies as well as problems like yeast infections, etc. But if you just want a "probably", your white gold ring probably contains nickel (you and Paula can test your rings for nickel), and you have probably developed a nickel allergy.

Nickel allergy is a lot like poison ivy allergy in that you can acquire it from continuing exposure even if you were once immune, but once you have it you have it for life.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

I have a bad nickel allergy. I can wear some silver but not most. I have some from Arizona that never gives me a problem at all. When I used to buy a lot of silver rings a long time ago from Manhattan 50% were a problem. Now it seems like almost all are a problem. I also have a problem with a lot of gold. What do you think about the silver issue. I want to purchase some rings that say 925 solid silver. I don't want to waste my money on something that gives me a reaction. I used to give my mother all of the rings that were a problem. Thanks.

Mara Livingston
homeowner - Bellerose, New York
December 8, 2010