The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
  

  -----

Allergic to 14 karat ALB, whatever that is

I have just started to have an allergic reaction to my wedding rings. The inside of my ring says "14K ALB". What does the ALB mean? I am thinking about having my rings reset in a platinum setting. Any suggestions?

Amber
Consumer - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
2006

---

I am not a jewelry expert by no means at all,but I do know that ALB means "white" I not even sure if that is an abbreviation for something? So I am assuming that your ring is white in color? If this is true there maybe a possibility that your ring has been nickel plated and then struck over the top with 14k gold plate,and you are allergic to the nickel plate. A lot of people have a reaction to nickel, mainly fair skinned and light haired people. I hope this helps your problem a little bit.

Best Regards

Brian C. Gaylets
McKinney Products-Assa Abloy America - Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
2006

---

2006

ALB is not a recognized quality mark so it is probably a makers mark. The 14K stamp indicates that your rings are solid gold and 58.5% pure. If your rings are white gold it is possible there is nickel in the alloy and if your are allergic to nickel changing to platinum will solve this problem.

Neil Bell
Red Sky Plating

Albuquerque, New Mexico

---

2006

Brian made a connection between nickel sensitivity and complexion (fair hair, burn easily).

Brian do you happen to have a citation or reference to that.

Thank you,

Kenneth Huck
- Asheville, North Carolina

adv.:    Discover the choice made by manufacturers
nationwide for high quality jewelry plating & finishing