Why Is My Jewellery Giving Me an Allergic Reaction?

 

Jewellery is meant to be worn, enjoyed and treasured. But for some people, wearing a ring, necklace, bracelet or pair of earrings can result in redness, itching, irritation or even a rash.

When this happens, many people immediately assume they are allergic to gold, silver or another precious metal. That is not always the case.

In many instances, the reaction may be caused by another metal contained within the jewellery alloy particularly nickel, and in some circumstances zinc or other alloying metals.

Precious Metals Are Rarely Used Completely Pure

Most jewellery is manufactured from alloys rather than pure precious metals.

Pure gold, for example, is extremely soft and is generally mixed with other metals to create an alloy that is harder, more durable and suitable for everyday wear. The same principle applies to many other precious metals.

The metals added to an alloy can affect its:

• Hardness and durability
• Colour
• Strength
• Manufacturing characteristics
• Weight
• Cost

This is where understanding exactly what is in your jewellery becomes important.

Nickel: One of the More Common Causes

Nickel is well known as a cause of allergic contact dermatitis.

It has historically been used in jewellery alloys because it can provide hardness, strength and particular colour characteristics. White gold is one example where alloy composition is particularly important, although modern jewellery manufacturers have a number of nickel-free alternatives.

A person who is sensitive to nickel may develop irritation where the jewellery contacts the skin. This can include redness, itching, dryness, swelling or a rash.

The reaction does not necessarily mean that the jewellery itself is poorly made. It may simply mean that the wearer is sensitive to one of the metals contained in the alloy.

What About Zinc?

Zinc can also be used as an alloying metal in jewellery manufacturing. It can assist with casting and manufacturing characteristics and may form part of certain lower-cost alloys.

It is important, however, not to automatically assume that zinc is responsible for every jewellery reaction. Nickel sensitivity is much more commonly recognised as a cause of allergic contact dermatitis, while irritation can also have other causes.

This is why identifying the actual composition of the jewellery can be valuable.

Is It Possible to Be Allergic to Gold?

Yes, although reactions specifically to gold are less common than nickel allergy.

Some people can develop a sensitivity to gold itself or to particular gold compounds, while others may actually be reacting to one of the other metals present in the alloy.

For example, two pieces of jewellery can both be described as 18-carat gold, yet have different alloy compositions depending on the manufacturer and the metals used to create the final colour and properties.

This is particularly relevant when comparing yellow, white and rose gold.

Don’t Assume the Jewellery Is the Problem

A reaction can also be caused by factors other than the metal.

Moisture, soap, cosmetics, perspiration, dirt trapped underneath a ring and prolonged contact with the skin can all contribute to irritation. In some cases, what appears to be a metal allergy may actually be contact irritation from something else.

If you repeatedly experience a reaction when wearing a particular piece of jewellery, it is worth discussing it with a medical professional or dermatologist rather than simply guessing which metal is responsible.

Tell Your Jeweller Before You Buy

This is one of the most important pieces of advice for anyone who has previously experienced a reaction to jewellery:

Tell your jeweller before the jewellery is made.

If you know that you have a nickel sensitivity, for example, make sure the jeweller knows before they recommend an alloy or manufacture a ring, earrings or other piece specifically for you.

The same applies if you have previously reacted to a particular type of gold, white gold or other jewellery.

Your jeweller can then discuss alternative materials and alloys that may be more appropriate.

Why This Can Save You Money

A custom piece of jewellery can represent a significant investment.

Imagine ordering a beautiful ring, having it manufactured and paying for the finished piece only to discover that you cannot comfortably wear it because your skin reacts to the alloy.

A remake may be possible, but it can involve additional manufacturing costs, time and inconvenience.

A simple conversation before the jewellery is made can potentially prevent an expensive problem later.

Ask What Is Actually in the Alloy

Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

If you have sensitive skin or have previously experienced a reaction, ask your jeweller:

• What metals are contained in the alloy?
• Is the alloy nickel-free?
• What karat or fineness is the precious metal?
• Is the jewellery plated, and if so, with what?
• What will happen if the plating wears through?
• Is there an alternative alloy available?

A reputable jeweller should be able to explain the materials being used and discuss suitable alternatives.

Jewellery Should Be Beautiful and Comfortable

Buying jewellery is about much more than appearance. The metal, alloy, construction and intended use all matter.

If you have experienced an allergic reaction in the past, don’t keep it a secret from your jeweller. Tell them before you purchase or commission your next piece.

At DCLA, we believe that understanding jewellery begins with understanding what you are actually buying. Whether it is a diamond, a precious metal or a finished piece of jewellery, knowledge gives you confidence.

And when it comes to jewellery that sits directly against your skin every day, knowing what is in the metal can be just as important as knowing what is on the outside.

DCLA — Know Your Diamond. Know Your Jewellery. Know What You Are Buying.

Best Place to Buy Diamonds in Australia: Knowledge, Experience and Confidence

 

Buying a diamond is one of the most important jewellery purchases many people will ever make. Yet with thousands of diamonds available online and through jewellery stores, knowing where to buy a diamond, and who to trust, can be difficult.

Price, appearance and marketing can all influence a purchase, but there is another factor that should never be overlooked: knowledge.

At the Diamond Certification Laboratory of Australia (DCLA), decades of experience in the diamond industry have created a unique depth of knowledge, from rough diamond mining and trading, through to cutting, polishing, grading and certification.

That experience provides something a price tag alone cannot: confidence that you understand what you are buying.

Why experience matters when buying a diamond

It is easy to look at the famous 4Cs, carat, colour, clarity and cut and assume that buying a diamond is simply a matter of comparing numbers.

It isn’t.

Two diamonds with apparently similar specifications can look very different and can have significantly different values. Small variations in colour, clarity, proportions, fluorescence, transparency and cut can influence both appearance and price. DCLA notes that even small changes in the characteristics of a diamond can have a substantial effect on value.

This is where real diamond experience matters.

Someone who has spent decades examining diamonds doesn’t simply read a certificate. They understand how a diamond behaves, how it was cut, how its proportions affect light performance and how the individual characteristics of the stone influence its desirability.

From the mine to the polished diamond

The DCLA story is unusual because its expertise extends far beyond laboratory grading.

The Cohen family’s involvement in the diamond industry stretches back to Johannesburg in the 1970s. Bruce Cohen began his diamond career under the guidance of his father, David Cohen. Michael Cohen trained as a polisher, cleaver and marker with a major De Beers sightholder before establishing diamond offices and cutting operations in southern Africa. Roy Cohen subsequently became involved in rough diamond trading and mining interests.

That means the knowledge behind DCLA has been developed across virtually every stage of a diamond’s journey.

Rough diamond.
Mining.
Trading.
Planning.
Cleaving.
Polishing.
Grading.
Certification.
Buying and selling.

This provides a perspective that is difficult to replicate.

The advantage of buying with an independent laboratory behind you

One of the most important questions a diamond buyer should ask is:

Who graded the diamond?

A grading report should come from an independent laboratory rather than simply being an in-house document produced by the person selling the diamond.

DCLA specifically warns consumers to be cautious about reports produced by retailers or merchants who have a financial interest in the stone. Independent grading provides an additional layer of confidence because the laboratory is assessing the diamond rather than selling it.

DCLA is an internationally accredited diamond grading laboratory in Australia, with grading conducted in Sydney by qualified gemmologists according to IDC and CIBJO standards.

Don’t just buy the certificate, understand the diamond

Buying a diamond is one of the most important jewellery purchases

A certificate is important, but the real value comes from understanding what the certificate means.

A DCLA Diamond Grading Report records characteristics including:

• Carat weight
• Colour
• Clarity
• Cut
• Symmetry and polish
• Measurements and proportions
• Fluorescence
• Transparency
• Whether the diamond is natural or laboratory-grown
• Treatments or enhancements
• Unique identifying information

But experienced diamond professionals can take that information further.

They can help explain why one diamond may offer better visual performance than another, whether you are paying for characteristics that you can actually see, and where your money may be better spent.

The best diamond isn’t necessarily the most expensive

One of the biggest mistakes a buyer can make is believing that the highest grades automatically represent the best purchase.

The objective should be to find the right diamond for your budget and your priorities.

Perhaps you want maximum size.

Perhaps brilliance is your priority.

Perhaps you want exceptional colour.

Perhaps you want a diamond with a particular shape.

Or perhaps you want to maximise beauty while avoiding paying a premium for characteristics that make little visible difference to the eye.

This is where independent advice can make a significant difference.

Rather than simply selling you a diamond, the objective should be to help you understand why one diamond represents a better choice than another.

Buying online versus buying from an expert

Online diamond retailers can offer enormous choice and make it easy to compare prices.

But a photograph and a list of specifications cannot always tell the whole story.

A diamond is a three-dimensional optical object. Its proportions, facet arrangement, inclusions and light performance all contribute to how it looks in real life.

For a significant purchase, having access to someone who can explain the diamond in understandable terms can be invaluable.

And for buyers who want the ultimate level of confidence, an independent laboratory provides another important safeguard.

Australian consumer organisation CHOICE similarly recommends shopping around and obtaining an independent grading certificate for significant diamond purchases.

Confidence is more than a good price

The cheapest diamond is not necessarily the best diamond.

The best diamond is the one you understand, are confident in, and believe represents the right combination of beauty, quality and value for your circumstances.

This is why DCLA believes diamond buying should be an educational experience rather than simply a sales transaction.

With decades of experience extending from rough diamonds and polishing to modern scientific grading, DCLA brings together old-fashioned diamond knowledge and modern laboratory technology.

Every diamond certified by DCLA is examined in its Sydney laboratory, combining hands-on expertise with advanced instrumentation.

So, where is the best place to buy a diamond in Australia?

There are many places Australians can purchase diamonds, from online retailers and traditional jewellers to specialist diamond dealers.

But if you are looking for something more than a transaction, look for experience, independence, transparency and expertise.

That is what makes the DCLA approach different.

You are not simply buying a stone.

You are making a significant financial and emotional decision with the benefit of people who have spent decades working with diamonds at almost every level of the industry.

From the rough diamond to the finished gem, that experience matters.

And when you are spending thousands, or tens of thousands, of dollars on a diamond, having the right knowledge behind your decision can be worth far more than simply finding the lowest advertised price.

Buy with knowledge. Buy with confidence. Buy a diamond you understand.

Visit the Diamond Certification Laboratory of Australia

DCLA is an independent diamond grading and certification laboratory. A grading report describes the characteristics of a diamond and is not, by itself, a valuation or statement of market price.

IDEX Price Report for 1 May: Prices Show Signs of Stabilizing

A diamond held by dop is polished on rotating automatic cast iron lap

Prices showed signs of stabilizing during April, with an even mix of increases and decreases in many sizes, especially fancy cuts. Overall there were more clusters of price rises than we have seen of late.

It’s too early to positively identify a clear upward trend, but the “end of the lab grown boom” is arguably having an impact. Lab grown prices are now so low – in some case just 10 per cent of natural – that many jewelers are opting not to stock them in inventory and are only buying them on consignment.

In addition the G7 sanctions, in place since 1 March, are now starting to bite, and to slowly push up prices.

They have effectively restored the De Beers monopoly, although its rough production is down by almost a quarter so far this year (as is Rio Tinto’s) and rough sales remain sluggish (down 18 per cent on last year). Meanwhile polished exports from India fell by 27 per cent during March to $1.2bn

Highlighted changes

Rounds

1.00-1.24 ct. D-F / VVS2-VS1 +4-5%, F-I / IF-VVS1 -1-7%

2.00-2.99 ct. D-G / VVS2-VS2 +2.5-5%, G-N / IF-VVS1 -2-5%

4.00-4.99 ct. E-I / VS1-2 +1-4%, K-M / VS2-SI1 -1-2%

Fancy Cuts

1.25-1.49 ct. D-I / VVS1-SI1 -1-6.5%

1.50-1.99 ct. D-E / VVS1-VS2 +1-5%, I-J / IF-VS2 -4.5-5.5%

2.00-2.99 ct. D-H / VVS2-VS2 +2.5-3%, H-N / IF-VVS1 -2-5%

Source: DCLA

Diamond Prices Slide Amid Economic Uncertainty

 

Las Vegas… Diamond market sentiment received a boost from the Las Vegas shows, which demonstrated robust US demand. However, polished prices declined amid a weak global economic outlook and a rise in inventory levels.

The RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™) for 1-carat diamonds slid 1.8% in June but increased 7.4% between the beginning of the year and July 1.

RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™)
	June	1H 2022	Year on year July 1, 2021, to July 1 2022
RAPI 0.30 ct.	-1.0%	0.2%	-1.6%
RAPI 0.50 ct.	-1.6%	4.1%	5.0%
RAPI 1 ct.	-1.8%	7.4%	16.8%
RAPI 3 ct.	-0.8%	9.7%	22.2%

Trading in Las Vegas reflected jewelers’ strong liquidity after a profitable 2021. Activity slowed once the fairs ended and dealers headed for vacations at the beginning of July.

There were also renewed fears of a recession; the US economy shrank 1.6% in the first quarter, and the latest data showed inflation at 8.5% in May. Consumer confidence dropped 4.5 points in June to its lowest level since February 2021, according to The Conference Board.

Chinese demand was low as well following Covid-19 lockdowns in April and May. The lack of buyers meant local jewelers had sufficient inventory for the short term.

Polished inventory in the midstream grew in June. The number of diamonds listed on RapNet rose 4.3% during the month to 1.87 million as of July 1. The high volume came despite the Russian sanctions that limited Alrosa’s rough sales and took an estimated 30% of global production off the market. Russian rough shortages are expected to impact polished supply in the coming months; manufacturers have so far been working with goods from before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Other miners are capitalizing on the new rough-market dynamic. De Beers’ June sales rose 36% year on year to $650 million after a price hike of 8% to 10% on smaller rough — a category Alrosa usually dominates.

We predict that traceable, ethical diamonds will sell at a premium to Russian diamonds as Alrosa goods reenter the market. While US jewelers are upbeat after the shows, there are political and economic headwinds that will likely disrupt the industry in the second half.

Additional information is available at www.diamonds.net.

Study yields new insight in hunt for rare, valuable yellow diamonds

A new study by University of Alberta scientists could help guide the search for rare, high-value yellow diamonds in the Canadian North.

The researchers, led by PhD student Mei Yan Lai, examined the chemical makeup of stones recovered from the Chidliak and Ekati mines in Northern Canada to get a better understanding of how they formed.

“Without this research, we wouldn’t know that two separate formation events occurred, and that the second, more recent event is responsible for the yellow colour,” explained U of A diamond geologist Thomas Stachel.

“The more we know about the origin of these potentially high-value diamonds, the better results for diamond exploration and value creation in Northern Canada.”

Lai said they wanted to understand the origin of the yellow colour in the diamonds from the two deposits.

“Canadian yellow diamonds have never been studied spectroscopically in detail. Our results suggest that the cause is the preservation of unstable single nitrogen atoms preserved inside the diamonds,” explained Lai, who conducted this research as part of her master’s studies in the Diamond Exploration Research Training School under the supervision of Stachel.

The research team determined that some yellow diamonds contain colourless cores, meaning that the yellow outer layers crystallized on top of clearer centres. Lai determined that the yellow diamonds crystallized no more than 30,000 years before the kimberlite eruptions that brought them up to Earth’s surface.

“Our analysis shows that the colourless cores in these yellow diamonds are about one billion years older,” Lai said. “In fact, the carbon isotope compositions and nitrogen concentrations of the colourless cores and yellow outer layers are significantly different, suggesting that they formed in at least two distinct events and involved different diamond-forming fluids.”

The researchers said discovering a potential new source of yellow diamonds in the Canadian North is economically significant, as the previous main source of high-quality yellow diamonds, the Ellendale Mine in Western Australia, was recently shut down.

The discovery of colourless cores in some of the yellow diamonds may also be of interest to the jewelry trade, said Lai.

“Occasionally, rough yellow diamonds lose their vibrant yellow colour after being cut and polished—probably because this kind of diamond has a thin layer of yellow overgrowth on top of the geologically older colourless core,” she said.

The project is a collaboration with Dominion Diamond Mines and Peregrine Diamonds Ltd. Part of the analyses were done at the Gemological Institute of America.

The research is supported by a bursary through DERTS, funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s Collaborative Research and Training Experience program.

The study, “Yellow Diamonds With Colourless Cores—Evidence for Episodic Diamond Growth Beneath Chidliak and the Ekati Mine, Canada,” was published in Mineralogy and Petrology.

Source: DCLA

Study yields new insight in hunt for rare, valuable yellow diamonds

A new study by University of Alberta scientists could help guide the search for rare, high-value yellow diamonds in the Canadian North.

The researchers, led by PhD student Mei Yan Lai, examined the chemical makeup of stones recovered from the Chidliak and Ekati mines in Northern Canada to get a better understanding of how they formed.

“Without this research, we wouldn’t know that two separate formation events occurred, and that the second, more recent event is responsible for the yellow colour,” explained U of A diamond geologist Thomas Stachel.

“The more we know about the origin of these potentially high-value diamonds, the better results for diamond exploration and value creation in Northern Canada.”

Lai said they wanted to understand the origin of the yellow colour in the diamonds from the two deposits.

“Canadian yellow diamonds have never been studied spectroscopically in detail. Our results suggest that the cause is the preservation of unstable single nitrogen atoms preserved inside the diamonds,” explained Lai, who conducted this research as part of her master’s studies in the Diamond Exploration Research Training School under the supervision of Stachel.

The research team determined that some yellow diamonds contain colourless cores, meaning that the yellow outer layers crystallized on top of clearer centres. Lai determined that the yellow diamonds crystallized no more than 30,000 years before the kimberlite eruptions that brought them up to Earth’s surface.

“Our analysis shows that the colourless cores in these yellow diamonds are about one billion years older,” Lai said. “In fact, the carbon isotope compositions and nitrogen concentrations of the colourless cores and yellow outer layers are significantly different, suggesting that they formed in at least two distinct events and involved different diamond-forming fluids.”

The researchers said discovering a potential new source of yellow diamonds in the Canadian North is economically significant, as the previous main source of high-quality yellow diamonds, the Ellendale Mine in Western Australia, was recently shut down.

The discovery of colourless cores in some of the yellow diamonds may also be of interest to the jewelry trade, said Lai.

“Occasionally, rough yellow diamonds lose their vibrant yellow colour after being cut and polished—probably because this kind of diamond has a thin layer of yellow overgrowth on top of the geologically older colourless core,” she said.

The project is a collaboration with Dominion Diamond Mines and Peregrine Diamonds Ltd. Part of the analyses were done at the Gemological Institute of America.

The research is supported by a bursary through DERTS, funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s Collaborative Research and Training Experience program.

The study, “Yellow Diamonds With Colourless Cores—Evidence for Episodic Diamond Growth Beneath Chidliak and the Ekati Mine, Canada,” was published in Mineralogy and Petrology.

Source: DCLA

Super-rich are investing in diamonds

Amid economic uncertainty, the super-rich are looking to ultra-rare precious gemstones as a ‘safe’ store for their wealth

Fine jewellery sales are seeming to weather the coronavirus crisis, thanks to lockdown proposals and demand for precious pieces to mark birthdays and anniversaries. Some jewellers report that people are spending more on gifts than usual, in lieu of ‘proper’ face-to-face celebrations.

And at the high end of the market, collectors are still investing in rare gemstones – sometimes seeing them as a safer store for their money than the volatile stock market or property.

Source: DCLA

Super-rich are investing in diamonds

Amid economic uncertainty, the super-rich are looking to ultra-rare precious gemstones as a ‘safe’ store for their wealth

Fine jewellery sales are seeming to weather the coronavirus crisis, thanks to lockdown proposals and demand for precious pieces to mark birthdays and anniversaries. Some jewellers report that people are spending more on gifts than usual, in lieu of ‘proper’ face-to-face celebrations.

And at the high end of the market, collectors are still investing in rare gemstones – sometimes seeing them as a safer store for their money than the volatile stock market or property.

Source: DCLA

Surat Diamond Manufacturing Shuts Down

The entire polishing industry in Surat has shut until March 31 after Indian authorities introduced tight restrictions to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Activities stopped on Tuesday in line with a lockdown enforced by the Gujarat state government. The Bharat Diamond Bourse in Mumbai also closed from Friday until the end of the month following similar measures in Maharashtra state.

“In this panic situation, all are requested to stay at home, [stay] healthy, and spend time with family,” the Surat Diamond Association and the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) said in a joint letter to the Surat trade on Saturday. The organizations urged companies to shut their offices and manufacturing units in the city, the world’s largest center for polishing. Safe-deposit vaults will remain open for two hours each day, they noted.

The GJEPC said it had closed its head office in Mumbai until March 31, with all employees working from home.

Source: DCLA

Surat Diamond Manufacturing Shuts Down

The entire polishing industry in Surat has shut until March 31 after Indian authorities introduced tight restrictions to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Activities stopped on Tuesday in line with a lockdown enforced by the Gujarat state government. The Bharat Diamond Bourse in Mumbai also closed from Friday until the end of the month following similar measures in Maharashtra state.

“In this panic situation, all are requested to stay at home, [stay] healthy, and spend time with family,” the Surat Diamond Association and the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) said in a joint letter to the Surat trade on Saturday. The organizations urged companies to shut their offices and manufacturing units in the city, the world’s largest center for polishing. Safe-deposit vaults will remain open for two hours each day, they noted.

The GJEPC said it had closed its head office in Mumbai until March 31, with all employees working from home.

Source: DCLA

Angola’s Rough-Diamond Revenue Rises in 2019

Revenue from Angola’s national diamond-trading company, Sodiam, rose 6% in 2019 as the company sold a higher volume of rough goods.

Proceeds for the year came to $1.3 billion from the sale of 9 million carats of rough diamonds, compared with 8.4 million carats in 2018, the government said in a Facebook post last week.  That offset a 10% drop in the average price to $137 per carat for the year. 

The increase came despite weakness in the rough-diamond market in 2019, with many miners, including De Beers and Alrosa, reporting a decrease in sales.

Angola implemented a new, more competitive diamond-trading policy that allows miners to offer 60% of their production to clients of their choice rather than selling through the state trading company.

In the fourth quarter, Sodiam sold 3 million carats of rough for $409 million, at an average price of $136 per carat.

Source: DCLA