Nickel in 18k WG alloy - is that normal? Kind of upset :/

[Cerulean]

I just asked a jeweler what alloy they used for an 18k WG jewelry they made me. I have a few unplated WG pieces.

I wanted to know the alloy so I could see if I could match unplated WG items from other vendors.

I could have sworn I asked for no nickel before commissioning the project, because I have reacted to WG earrings with nickel in the past. But this is the alloy they said they use:

9.85% copper
9.85% nickel
5.2% zinc
75% gold

Is this common? I don't have my request anywhere in writing and now I am not so sure when I said it at all...but the jewelry in question was quite expensive, so I feel surprised and upset that they are using nickel? Am I wrong? I would have assumed that a more expensive designer would be using palladium or platinum + gold.

Now I am worried that I will develop a reaction over time.

 

[rainydaze]

This is timely - I was just reading about the alloys they use on your jewelers site (assuming this is the jeweler who completed your ering reset) and it states that the white gold they use has nickel in it. They recommend platinum or palladium if you have a sensitivity, instead of suggesting a different WG alloy.

I'm sorry you're in this situation. There seem to be so many things to consider when commissioning a piece. It's easy to lose track of what you have asked for/discussed. It's such a sinking feeling to find out after the fact that you didn't get what you thought you were getting. I hope you don't have a reaction!

 

[Cerulean]

This is timely - I was just reading about the alloys they use on your jewelers site (assuming this is the jeweler who completed your ering reset) and it states that the white gold they use has nickel in it. They recommend platinum or palladium if you have a sensitivity, instead of suggesting a different WG alloy.

I'm sorry you're in this situation. There seem to be so many things to consider when commissioning a piece. It's easy to lose track of what you have asked for/discussed. It's such a sinking feeling to find out after the fact that you didn't get what you thought you were getting. I hope you don't have a reaction!

Appreciate it.

So frustrating. It’s unplated, I might rhodium plate it to at least put a layer between the metal and my skin. Have no clue if that helps

My fiancé recalls me saying it in person and that I explicitly said how sensitive my skin is (that is in email at least) so hopefully we can do something about it. I wish I’d had it in writing!

I guess I was also just so surprised to see a more expensive designer even using nickel - considering it is a known allergen for many...I wouldve thought they’d have known better!

 

[bludiva]

I think it’s the default in the US at least :/