Plat. Allergy

[lovebug1031]

I friend of mine recently got married and engaged. She's always worn WG or YG, never Pt. Well, it seems she may be allergic to her Pt. alloy (although she has no idea what it is). Outside of getting a new band and ER setting, would rhodium plating work, for the time being? She's calling jewelers here, and they seem to be dumbfounded...one even told her that was IMPOSSIBLE because Pt.is pure!

Any suggestions?

 

[distracts]

People do have platinum allergies, though it's pretty rare. One thing to consider is that an allergy to platinum may actually be triggered by an allergy to nickel, so before she gets her ring re-set, she should have a spot test for nickel allergy done by an allergist. Honestly, while rhodium plating could be a short-term solution, I would not do it due to concerns that it would still be irritating and could cause my immune system to go into overdrive and trigger other allergies. The safest thing to do healthwise is to leave the rings off until she figures out what they're going to do about it. Alternately, she could put them on a silver chain around her neck, as long as it hangs over her clothes and doesn't touch her skin. This may cause some wear to them, but I guess if it's too late to return them, it doesn't matter.

To be sure that it is an actual allergy to platinum rather than something that somehow got on her ring (soap, polishing compound, whatever), she should clean her rings thoroughly with just water. I would boil them. You can do this by suspending them (one at a time) in a pot of boiling water, using a paperclip or something so they are held securely and not touching the sides. You just need to do it for a few moments. If there's anything on her ring that she's allergic to, it should come off. (Don't worry, the metal and diamond should be just fine in that temperature.) I have also heard you can soak them in vinegar, but I am more comfortable with boiling them.

 

[pinkjewel]

What is her reaction to the platinum? I will sometimes break out in itchy little bumps almost like tiny blisters when wearing my platinum e ring and wedding band. It only happens in hot humid weather and only with my engraved platinum bands-not the smooth platinum. I originally thought mine was an allergy too- I was also told by everyone that it's impossible. I've done all the cleaning,etc to make sure it wasn't something on the rings,but nothing helps. I have finally decided that it's more an irritation from the engraving rubbing between my fingers when they swell and as they get tighter my fingers get more "sticky" from the humidity. I live in a very hot, humid area- kind of like living in a ziplock bag in the summer (LOL). Unfortunately, my solution has been to just stop wearing them in the summer. I've debated about sizing them up so that they don't rub-but they're engraved all the way around on three sides and not sure I want to take the chance on someone messing them up. I'll be interested in seeing more posts on this topic.

 

[lovebug1031]

What is her reaction to the platinum? I will sometimes break out in itchy little bumps almost like tiny blisters when wearing my platinum e ring and wedding band. It only happens in hot humid weather and only with my engraved platinum bands-not the smooth platinum. I originally thought mine was an allergy too- I was also told by everyone that it's impossible. I've done all the cleaning,etc to make sure it wasn't something on the rings,but nothing helps. I have finally decided that it's more an irritation from the engraving rubbing between my fingers when they swell and as they get tighter my fingers get more "sticky" from the humidity. I live in a very hot, humid area- kind of like living in a ziplock bag in the summer (LOL). Unfortunately, my solution has been to just stop wearing them in the summer. I've debated about sizing them up so that they don't rub-but they're engraved all the way around on three sides and not sure I want to take the chance on someone messing them up. I'll be interested in seeing more posts on this topic.

That is exactly her reaction. We too live in a hot humid climate in the summer, however this started happening early spring when it wasn't hot and humid! Her band has no engraving, it is a simple 6 prong solitaire. I'll mention this to her though!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I'd be tempted to have someone else test the ring and make sure it is platinum. I have seen once before here a situation where someone paid for a platinum ring but found out much later that the ring was actually white gold.

It seems like I read somewhere about not boiling a diamond ring! I'd maybe take it to a jeweler and have them steam clean it. Something doesn't sound right.

 

[february2003bride]

I've gone round and round with metal allergies. You can be allergic to PT but it is rare. If she wants to find out if she is definitely is, she can see an allergist and be skin tested for metals.

That being said, before she starts booking an allergy appointment, she should look at her ring habits. Tell her to take her rings off each and every time she washes her hands, thoroughly dry, use lotion, and then put her rings on. A lot of people think they have metal allergies when in fact, it's trapped soap, fragrant lotions, trapped under their rings. Also, she should make sure that her rings aren't too tight. Wearing 1 ring is one size, wearing 2 makes them possibly too tight. She may need to size up a tad. Suggest that she not wear her rings at night. Her finger just may be sensitive (not allergic) to her rings just being on her finger 24/7. Letting the skin on her finger breath at night, may help.

It could also be eczema (most likely due to trapped soap and lotion) which she can get a cream for.

It's most likely one of those instead of a PT allergy. She should get her rings tested an make sure they are a 90/95 Platinum alloy. Did he possibly buy her rings at Jareds/Kay's/Helzberg? Because they sell a PT alloy that's 50% Platinum 50% mixed alloy.

Hope this helps!

 

[pinkjewel]

I can't speak to the OPs friend's ring, but my E ring was purchased at a very reputable local B and M jewelers and is an expensive hand engraved platinum setting. My engraved wedding band is a platinum and diamond Tacori. I still get a reaction,too. My rings have been steam cleaned numerous times, but that doesn't help. I also take them off at night. So- I can sympathize with her problem.

I still think my problem is when my fingers swell and the rings get tight- the engraving (or maybe the platinum) irritates the skin between my fingers and they break out. I'm wondering if hers are doing the same thing does she wear them jogging or to the gym-thus creating a sweaty environment for the rings which would be similar to a hot,humid summer day. And do her rings get a little tight at the times the break out starts or are they a little tight in general?

 

[DiamondBrokersofFlorida]

I've had clients that break out with platinum occasionally, however after we electroclean the ring the allergy disappears. I think it may have a soap film on the ring and she is actually allergic to the soap that is on the ring. Once it is cleaned really well her allergy may disappear as well.