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.

Consumers Switching to Platinum as Gold Price Soars

 

Consumers are switching from gold to platinum as the price gap between the metals widens, according to a report published today (15 April) by the Platinum Guild International (PGI).

In the US, unit sales of platinum jewelry fell (-10% year-on-year), says its Q4 2025 Platinum Jewellery Business Review, but the value increased (+48% year-on-year).

The PGI does not provide hard figures on volumes or values, but says its strategic partners reported double-digit revenue growth during the quarter.

Platinum traditionally traded above gold, but the switch came in December 2008 during the global financial crisis.

Gold is now more than twice the price of platinum. Today’s spot prices show gold at approximately $4,825 per ounce and platinum at about $2,148 per ounce.

White gold remains less costly than platinum though, because it is generally used in an alloy with palladium or nickel.

“The momentum we observed across key regions in the fourth quarter validates platinum’s growing relevance in today’s jewellery market,” said Tim Schlick, CEO of PGI.

 “With gold prices remaining elevated, platinum continues to offer a premium yet accessible alternative that appeals to value-conscious consumers and luxury buyers alike.”

Retail sales of platinum jewelry grew 10% by value in India, and 7% by volume in China.

Source: DCLA

What Is Lab-Grown Gold? (And What It Really Means for Jewelry)

 

industrial gold waste from electronic components

Lab-grown gold is often used as a marketing term to simply refer to recycled or recovered gold. While it is possible for scientists to create lab-grown gold via scientific processes like nuclear transmutation, making true gold in a lab is highly impractical to do at scale.Products marketed as lab-grown gold (or recycled or recovered gold) are chemically identical to mined gold and, as such, are equivalent in monetary value. However, recycled gold may be more sustainable than its mined counterparts to some people and producers.Here’s everything you need to know around the topic of what is lab-grown gold and how you can shop for it confidently.

Can Gold Be Made in a Lab?

The short answer is, yes, it is possible to create gold in a lab. As IDEX reported in July 2025, a recent example is the US startup Marathon Fusion that has been working on the process using mercury-197 to produce gold. However, making gold via nuclear fusion requires an immense amount of energy. Additionally, gold produced under this method remains radioactive for up to 18 years.

Is It Similar to Lab-Grown Diamonds?

As lab-grown diamonds have become a highly popular alternative to natural diamonds, particularly for engagement rings, it’s fair to wonder, if it’s so easy to produce lab-grown stones, why can’t we do the same with a gold nugget? But really, it all has to do with how the two materials form in nature.Diamonds form when carbon is exposed to high-heat, high-pressure conditions – an environment that scientists can more easily replicate in a lab. In contrast, all the Earth’s natural gold was formed billions of years ago through cosmic events, before making its way to the surface of the planet. Think of the merger of neutron stars or massive stars exploding as a supernova. As such, these conditions are a little more difficult to copy in a man-made setting, and because of this challenge, true lab-grown gold hasn’t caught on the way lab-grown diamonds have.

The Lab-Grown Gold Market: A Quick Overview of Recycled Gold

As mentioned, what many sellers offer as “lab-grown gold” is, in reality, just recycled gold – or any gold reclaimed from unwanted jewelry, electronic waste, industrial waste, or automobiles. It’s then returned to its pure form before being transformed into a new piece of jewelry.Recycled gold is chemically the same as mined gold on a molecular level, meaning it holds the same scrap value per gram and exhibits identical long-term market value behavior. At the same time, recycled gold is considered by some to be a more eco-friendly option than mined gold as it reduces the need for traditional mining and the reliance on depleting natural gold deposits.

Lab-Grown Gold Vs. Recycled Gold Vs. Mined Gold

What About Other Types of Gold? An Overview of the Terminology

These are the primary terms you’ll see used to describe gold jewelry in the marketplace. It’s important to know their meanings, so you can be sure of what you’re buying:Solid gold (10k/14k/18k/24k): Pure 100% gold is too soft for jewelry so what you’re buying is gold mixed with other precious metals to form a more durable alloy. The varying karat counts refer to the concentration, and therefore, purity of the gold used. White gold and rose gold also fall under this category.Recycled gold: Real gold with the same value and purity as solid gold, but it’s made by reclaiming and refining previously existing quantities that were used for another purpose.Gold vermeil: The piece features a layer of gold applied over sterling silver; a specific thickness of gold must be applied.Gold plated/PVD-coated: A thin layer of gold is applied to a base metal; durability and value vary.Lab-made gold: Unless the seller is attempting to pose recycled gold as lab-made gold, actual lab-made gold is created via nuclear transmutation. However, you won’t find this in the mainstream jewelry supply.

What Kind of Gold Should You Buy?

Lab-Grown Gold and Recycled Gold Dos & Don’ts

Do: Treat “lab-grown gold” as a marketing term. Any time a seller uses this term, inquire further regarding the metal’s true origins.Don’t: Assume recycled gold will cost less than its natural counterpart (like lab-grown diamonds) or that recycled gold is automatically sustainable as some producers may still use unsustainable practices.Do: Use recycled gold as the most straightforward alternative for real gold jewelry.

Is Lab-Grown or Recycled Gold Considered Fake by Insurers?

No! If you work with a reputable specialty jewelry insurance provider like BriteCo, they will treat your lab-grown and recycled gold as authentic – because it is.Since both true lab-grown and recycled gold are chemically the same as mined gold, and therefore equivalent in value and value retention, BriteCo insures recycled and lab-associated gold jewelry exactly the same, as long as proper documentation is available at the time of appraisal.In the same way that BriteCo covers lab-grown diamonds, coverage is based on value and risk, not origin. So long as the piece of jewelry can be appraised and replaced, it can be insured, regardless of whether the gold is mined or recycled. Getting an online jewelry quote from BriteCo only requires an appraisal, photos, and purchase documentation. You can get coverage as soon as today to protect your jewelry from loss, theft, mysterious disappearance, and accidental damage anywhere in the world, 365 days a year, 7 days a week.

Lab-Grown Gold FAQs

Is Lab-Grown Gold Real Gold?The term lab-grown gold is often a misnomer used to describe recycled gold. However, recycled gold and gold that’s actually grown in a lab (while rare) are both identical to mined counterparts on a chemical level and in value.Can Gold Be Lab-Grown?Yes. While it is very difficult and rare, gold can be made in a lab through nuclear technology.Is Lab-Grown Gold the Same As Recycled Gold?In many cases, yes, lab-grown gold is the same as recycled gold, and some sellers may market recycled gold as lab-grown gold.Does Lab-Grown Gold Have a Karat Count?Yes, lab-grown gold is measured by karats the same way as mined gold.Is Gold Vermeil Better Than Gold-Plated Jewelry?Gold vermeil is better than gold-plated in most cases. Gold vermeil must include a certain thickness of gold applied to a sterling silver base, while gold-plated jewelry may feature any amount of gold and any base metal, leading to a potential lack of durability and value.

Source: DCLA

Namibia: Gold and Uranium Earnings Overtake Diamonds

Namibia has, for the first time, earned more tax revenue from gold and uranium than from diamonds.

Natural diamonds, primarily from marine operations, have long accounted for almost a third of Namibia’s export earnings.

But it has faced a severe contraction since mid-2022. At the same time, gold prices have been surging to record highs, and demand for uranium is rising for nuclear energy production.

Diamond mining is projected to decline by 4.5 per cent in 2025 and 5.7 per cent in 2026, the Bank of Namibia said in its August 2025 Economic Outlook.

“Non-diamond mineral revenues have surpassed diamond revenues for the first time, reinforcing a structural shift towards a more diversified and resilient mining revenue base,” the Chamber of Mines of Namibia said in its report for October, published last week.

It said tax revenue from diamonds in the six months to September was down 79 per cent, year on year. It did not provide like-for-like figures for gold or uranium.

But it said tax revenue from other minerals, mainly uranium and gold, had almost doubled the original budget estimate in the last financial year.

Source: DCLA

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