Stud recommendations for middle school girl with metal allergies?

[Tonks]

My middle school daughter has metal allergies. We have done metal allergy testing. Nothing was particularly clear, but our best guess is a nickel allergy, as well as a sensitivity to cobalt and to copper. Apparently the arch wires they use in orthodontics are 95% nickel, and this could have sensitized her.

She has also reacted quite badly to sterling. We tried Tiffany sterling earrings, and her ears just blew up after only a couple of hours. We tried other nickel free sterling with the same result.

My understanding is that both yellow and white gold are alloyed to make them hard enough to use in jewelry, and it can be hard to find out what metals are used in the alloys. Rose gold is out because of the copper. We have not tried titanium (partly because I have wondered whether it is truly a long term solution if she will want to wear fine jewelry).

The only earrings she can tolerate now are plastic post earrings. Which is temporarily fine, but probably not for much longer. I wonder if platinum (gulp) might work. Though I know there are different platinum alloys. And I also don’t want to spend a fortune to find out whether she can tolerate a metal.

Does anyone have recommendations as to where I might find reasonably priced platinum post studs?

 

[MrsKBP]

My 12 year old daughter has this issue as well. We gave her diamond studs set in white gold. She loves them and never removes them for the last three years. We remove them once a year for a good cleaning and that's it.

 

[doberman]

Platinum or palladium are the metals that should work for her. There is also palladium alloy white gold that contains no nickel. 18kt gold should be ok.

 

[Tonks]

My 12 year old daughter has this issue as well. We gave her diamond studs set in gold. She loves them and never removes them for the last three years. We remove them once a year for a good cleaning and that's it.

Unfortunately, we have had problems with gold as well. I tried giving her pearl studs, but that caused problems after she wore them just for a couple of hours to church.

She went without earrings for a long time before we got the plastic post ones. I was worried her ears would close up.

 

[Tonks]

Platinum or palladium are the metals that should work for her. There is also palladium alloy white gold that contains no nickel. 18kt gold should be ok.

Any suggestions where to find reasonably priced platinum studs? Or palladium? I’m happy to try them, but she is a middle school girl who, while responsible...is responsible *for her age*.....

 

[MrsKBP]

I love that you are giving her such a thoughtful "grownup" gift. My mother gave my daughter her studs and we continue to grow her collection on birthdays. She is the only grandchild and my only child so she is spoiled. It's crazy that she is a tomboy for now and doesn't truly appreciate the baubles...yet.

If you have platinum studs perhaps she can try yours to see if they'll work before you have some made for her?

Good luck!

 

[Tonks]

I love that you are giving her such a thoughtful "grownup" gift. My mother gave my daughter her studs and we continue to grow her collection on birthdays. She is the only grandchild and my only child so she is spoiled. It's crazy that she is a tomboy for now and doesn't truly appreciate the baubles...yet.

If you have platinum studs perhaps she can try yours to see if they'll work before you have some made for her?

Good luck!

We have been trying with the thoughtful, forward-thinking gifts. She has a nice strand of pearls, and pearl studs (that she cannot wear, even with 18k posts). Maybe I could have the posts replaced with a different metal. I have no idea how big a deal that would be.

My diamond studs are set in white gold. I don’t actually have any earrings with platinum posts to let her try, or I would. Maybe that is good reason to get some! Though what I would likely get next would be way too big for her to wear out in public! (Current studs are 1.2 ctw and was thinking of an eventual upgrade to 2 ctw...but after the eternity band project I have in the works it will be awhile!).

 

[Tonks]

I love that you are giving her such a thoughtful "grownup" gift. My mother gave my daughter her studs and we continue to grow her collection on birthdays. She is the only grandchild and my only child so she is spoiled. It's crazy that she is a tomboy for now and doesn't truly appreciate the baubles...yet.

If you have platinum studs perhaps she can try yours to see if they'll work before you have some made for her?

Good luck!

Btw, your dog is adorable!

 

[Winks_Elf]

Keep in mind that with her earrings it's not just the posts that cause the problems, but the backings as well. My 18-year-old daughter is highly sensitive to gold as well as silver, but she can wear platinum posts with stainless backs. The backings cost a lot of money in platinum, but the hypoallergenic "nickel free" backs you can get are very inexpensive.

 

[doberman]

There's also surgical steel which should work. James Allen looks like they have studs in platinum. Pricey, but do-able.

 

[Tonks]

Keep in mind that with her earrings it's not just the posts that cause the problems, but the backings as well. My 18-year-old daughter is highly sensitive to gold as well as silver, but she can wear platinum posts with stainless backs. The backings cost a lot of money in platinum, but the hypoallergenic "nickel free" backs you can get are very inexpensive.

Yes, definitely need to think about backings. She has ended up with red marks and crusting/peeling in the shape of backings so I know that can be an issue. I am apprehensive about stainless backs because I don’t think nickel is her only issue. During all my research I have found that stainless steel is made up of many other metals, and that cobalt (one of her allergens) tends to be in the mix.

There's also surgical steel which should work. James Allen looks like they have studs in platinum. Pricey, but do-able.

Like I mentioned above, I am apprehensive about stainless steel. I would assume surgical steel is the same thing?

Incidentally, this is the main reason we did the metal testing that I had hoped would be more helpful. My fear is not that she won’t be able to wear bling, but that she will break a bone and need a pin or screw and they will use something her body would react to negatively.

 

[JPie]

Titanium is supposed to be hypoallergenic and contains no nickel or cobalt. It's also increasingly being used for surgical applications. If all else fails, give it a try; at the very least, it'll keep her piercings open and maybe the allergic reaction will subside over time so she can wear other metals again.

 

[kindred]

You might want to do some searching online to see what professional body piercers use. I think surgical stainless is one material they use, as it is different than regular stainless. I think they have a body piercing guild with recommendations but it has been so long since I've looked that I can't remember.

 

[WinkHPD]

Dear Tonks,

I know of a pair of platinum mountings that are sitting in the safe after a client's breakup. I would be very happy to take them out of that safe, clean and polish them and send them for you to let her try wearing at home. (They currently have no stones in them, so not a good wear at school...)

If her ears tolerate the platinum, then you will know. If they do not tolerate the platinum, then you will know. Either way, just send them back to me when you know. No cover charge.

If the moderator deems this post inappropriate, please remove it. The former studs are not for sale.

Wink

 

[Tonks]

Dear Tonks,

I know of a pair of platinum mountings that are sitting in the safe after a client's breakup. I would be very happy to take them out of that safe, clean and polish them and send them for you to let her try wearing at home. (They currently have no stones in them, so not a good wear at school...)

If her ears tolerate the platinum, then you will know. If they do not tolerate the platinum, then you will know. Either way, just send them back to me when you know. No cover charge.

If the moderator deems this post inappropriate, please remove it. The former studs are not for sale.

Wink

Ohmygoodness @Wink that would be amazing! Thank you!

How can I contact you?

 

[WinkHPD]

Forum rules prohibit me from posting my email or phone number, but if you go to my sig file above you can go directly to my website by clicking on the blue link. Then you can go to the bottom of the page and send me an email. I will get right back with you.

Wink

 

[sparlie]

My middle school daughter has metal allergies. We have done metal allergy testing. Nothing was particularly clear, but our best guess is a nickel allergy, as well as a sensitivity to cobalt and to copper. Apparently the arch wires they use in orthodontics are 95% nickel, and this could have sensitized her.

She has also reacted quite badly to sterling. We tried Tiffany sterling earrings, and her ears just blew up after only a couple of hours. We tried other nickel free sterling with the same result.

My understanding is that both yellow and white gold are alloyed to make them hard enough to use in jewelry, and it can be hard to find out what metals are used in the alloys. Rose gold is out because of the copper. We have not tried titanium (partly because I have wondered whether it is truly a long term solution if she will want to wear fine jewelry).

The only earrings she can tolerate now are plastic post earrings. Which is temporarily fine, but probably not for much longer. I wonder if platinum (gulp) might work. Though I know there are different platinum alloys. And I also don’t want to spend a fortune to find out whether she can tolerate a metal.

Does anyone have recommendations as to where I might find reasonably priced platinum post studs?

 

[sparlie]

I found a website that was very helpful to me - thezenlady.com It explains what to do to help your ears heal and she sells earrings made from titanium and niobium.

 

[Bron357]

I too have a strong nickel allergy.
I can wear stainless steel, platinum and 18ct gold but I never leave them in over night and I always “dip” the posts and rub my ears with a bit of Vaseline before putting earrings on. I find this works for me.
This is my finger, just overnight after wearing a cheap ring.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I hope platinum works! Usually the allergy is to nickel and the main problem is white gold. Often those people can wear 18k yellow gold, so it is surprising to me that she can't wear that. Even though platinum is relatively expensive, it is still great for fine jewelry. Let us know how she does with the platinum!

Oh, and incidentally, Blue Nile currently carries 14 pair of various styles of platinum earrings.

https://www.bluenile.com/jewelry/earrings/platinum-gold-silver-earrings?track=NavJwlCatEarGol

 

[yssie]

Try coating her lobes with a dollop of clear nail polish?
Reapplication required after bathing, obviously.

 

[peacechick]

Have you looked at the nickel free range from Berricle? Might be worth a try before paying for platinum?

https://www.berricle.com/jewelry-earrings/nickel-free-earrings.htm

My sister has nickel allergy and she only wears rose gold now. White gold has nickel but rose gold does not, apparently.

 

[Tonks]

I found a website that was very helpful to me - thezenlady.com It explains what to do to help your ears heal and she sells earrings made from titanium and niobium.

Thank you, that’s a great website! I like their selection of titanium studs. Maybe we will try a pair. I had purchased her plastic earrings from Blomdahl, and they have titanium as well. My thinking was that titanium might not be the best long term choice if she wants fine jewelry eventually. Her ears are not red and angry at the moment, and they’ve been pierced for years, so i had not been thinking in terms of healing them, but that website now has me wondering.

I too have a strong nickel allergy.
I can wear stainless steel, platinum and 18ct gold but I never leave them in over night and I always “dip” the posts and rub my ears with a bit of Vaseline before putting earrings on. I find this works for me.
This is my finger, just overnight after wearing a cheap ring.

Holy cow! That looks painful! And reminiscent of my daughter’s ears after some of her experiences. I’ve never heard the Vaseline trick, but we can certainly give it a try!

You also raise another good point. My daughter sleeps in her earrings. She doesn’t want to be bothered taking them in and out. But perhaps that isn’t best practice in this situation.

I hope platinum works! Usually the allergy is to nickel and the main problem is white gold. Often those people can wear 18k yellow gold, so it is surprising to me that she can't wear that. Even though platinum is relatively expensive, it is still great for fine jewelry. Let us know how she does with the platinum!

Oh, and incidentally, Blue Nile currently carries 14 pair of various styles of platinum earrings.

https://www.bluenile.com/jewelry/earrings/platinum-gold-silver-earrings?track=NavJwlCatEarGol

I saw Blue Nile’s selection just yesterday and was so excited. Their ball studs would be perfect. I did live chat with customer service to find out what their platinum alloy is, and the person I talked to did not know. She said she would find out and get back to me, but I don’t have an email yet, I will follow up today.

@Wink and Melissa are amazing and are arranging to have those earring mountings shipped here so she can try them. Which is truly fantastic. I am absolutely blown away. And I really hope platinum will work for her.

Try coating her lobes with a dollop of clear nail polish?
Reapplication required after bathing, obviously.

Hmm. I haven’t heard of this one. I think maybe I’ve heard of coating the earring posts. Hmm. I will think on this.

Have you looked at the nickel free range from Berricle? Might be worth a try before paying for platinum?

https://www.berricle.com/jewelry-earrings/nickel-free-earrings.htm

My sister has nickel allergy and she only wears rose gold now. White gold has nickel but rose gold does not, apparently.

Since one of her sensitivities is copper, I’m hesitant to try rose gold. My understanding is that rose gold gets its lovely rosy color from copper. I wish nickel were the only problem, but unfortunately it is not. Our best guess after her testing was that she is reactive to nickel, cobalt, and copper. I never planned to learn about metals. This has been an education!

 

[yssie]

... out-deadpanned, I concede

Good luck with this, I hope Wink’s platinum provides the cure! It sounds pretty miserable to have to clear up those infections every time

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The platinum alloy is likely iridium, second most likely is ruthenium. I hope they can get a definite answer for you, though.

 

[ChristineRose]

I'm allergic to stainless steel, for what it's worth. There are alloys which are supposed to be so stable that you can't leech any nickel from touching them, but the alloy business is extremely secretive and not very helpful.