By Serene Jewellery, 925 sterling silver and 18k gold plated jewellery specialists focused on pieces built to last.

Quick answer: Genuine 925 sterling silver and rhodium plated jewellery is generally safe for sensitive skin, since it's nickel and lead free. Most jewellery related skin reactions come from cheap alloy jewellery containing nickel, not from real silver or well made gold plate.

What Actually Causes Jewellery Related Skin Reactions

Nickel is the most common cause of jewellery related irritation and allergic reactions. It's cheap and durable, which is why it's often used in the base alloys of low cost jewellery, but it's also one of the most common skin allergens overall. Lead can be a problem too, particularly in older or poorly regulated costume jewellery.

Is Sterling Silver Hypoallergenic?

Genuine 925 sterling silver is an alloy of 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent other metals, usually copper. It doesn't typically contain nickel and is well tolerated by most people, including those with sensitive skin. Adding a rhodium plated finish on top provides an extra barrier and a smoother, more hypoallergenic surface.

What About Gold Plated Jewellery?

This depends heavily on what's underneath the gold layer. Gold plate over 925 sterling silver carries the same benefits as solid sterling silver, since the base metal is the same. Gold plate over a cheap alloy base, however, can still cause reactions once the plating wears thin enough to expose the metal beneath.

How to Choose Jewellery for Sensitive Skin

• Check for "925" or "sterling silver." This confirms the base metal rather than just the surface finish.
• Look for "nickel free" or "lead free" specifically. Not every brand states this clearly, so it's worth checking product descriptions.
• Favour rhodium plated pieces. Rhodium is hypoallergenic and adds a protective layer over the silver beneath.
• Be cautious with unbranded or very low cost jewellery. Quality control on base metals tends to be inconsistent at very low price points.

Signs a Piece Might Not Be Skin Friendly

Green discolouration on the skin, itching, redness, or a rash appearing specifically where jewellery touches skin are common signs of a reaction, usually to nickel. If this happens with a piece marketed as sterling silver or gold plated, it's worth checking the base metal composition, since not all products are made to the same standard despite similar labelling.

Every Serene Piece Is Built With Sensitive Skin in Mind

All Serene Jewellery pieces are 925 sterling silver or 18k gold plate over sterling silver, rhodium plated, and nickel and lead free. That's backed by a 30 day money back guarantee, so if a piece doesn't agree with your skin, it isn't a loss.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 925 sterling silver hypoallergenic?

Genuine 925 sterling silver is generally well tolerated by sensitive skin, since it doesn't typically contain nickel, unlike many cheap costume jewellery alloys.

Can gold plated jewellery cause allergic reactions?

It can, if the plating is thin and sits over a base metal containing nickel. Gold plate over genuine sterling silver carries a much lower risk.

What jewellery is safest for sensitive skin?

Rhodium plated 925 sterling silver, or gold plate over sterling silver, are generally the safest options, especially when explicitly labelled nickel and lead free.

What are the signs of a nickel allergy from jewellery?

Itching, redness, or a rash directly where the jewellery touches skin are the most common signs, along with green discolouration on the skin from lower quality metal.