Buying an engagement ring is when most people begin to learn more about jewelry, or learn more of what they don`t know. With the so many options, price points and places the buy rings, it may seem as though you`re spinning in circles. More often than not, people think only of price, quality and style when buying an engagement ring or wedding rings. But, the single most important aspect should be the elements. More and more people are finding they are allergic to certain precious metals, specifically nickel alloys used in many gold engagement rings and everyday jewelry. The most common symptom of nickel allergy is contact dermatitis, causing itching, redness, and blisters. Not exactly what you want to propose to your life partner.

According to the June 2007 Issue of Dermatology Nursing, "an estimated 20% of women and 4% of men are affected by contact dermatitis." These numbers may seem nominal, but since 1980 these cases have doubled.

Precious Metals & Engagement Rings – What`s in my Ring?

Precious metals used in jewelry are comprised of metal alloys which are mixtures of various elements including hydrogen, oxygen, copper, niobium, nickel, iron and gold. Traditionally, engagement rings have been made of gold. White gold, sterling silver, platinum and newer metals like tungsten and titanium have made their way onto the jewelry scene both for reasons of style, but also to address allergic reactions.

I`ve Worn Gold Before – Why Am I Allergic Now?

Many people, especially women, have found that their skin has a reaction to gold jewelry. This reaction is not really to the gold itself, but to the nickel that is in the chemical composition of gold. This reaction is caused by a sensitivity to nickel that builds up over time. Women begin wearing jewelry at a much earlier age than men and are more prone to allergic reactions, however with the increase in body piercing popularity in both sexes, the number of men effected by nickel is on the rise too.

Can I Buy A Gold Ring without Nickel?

Most engagement and wedding rings have traditionally been made of 14k or 18k gold. The reason for this is while 24k gold is pure, it is extremely soft. Wedding rings and everyday jewelry are exposed to water, sweat, scratches and dings that 24k gold can`t stand up against. The other elements that are contained in 14k or 18k gold for both gold and white gold include different alloys such as silver, zinc, copper, and nickel. It`s these other alloys that cause the allergic reactions, nickel being the biggest culprit. Nickel is added to make gold more durable, so if you try to buy a 24k gold ring, it will be pure but it won`t be very durable.

How Do I Ensure My Engagement Ring Won`t Cause A Rash?

There are many options in hypoallergenic jewelry. Platinum and titanium rings are not only beautiful alternatives to gold, but they are more pure.

What`s the Difference Between Platinum and Titanium Rings?

Platinum – Platinum is known for being the rarest and the heaviest of the precious metals. It`s also the most expensive. It`s typically 90-95% pure and weighs twice as much as gold. It doesn`t tarnish like gold and doesn`t loose its luster over time. Platinum is durable but it can be scratched. There are many positives for platinum, but it`s not for everyone. Price is a barrier to many, and some women while they admire the rare and expensive qualities of platinum, the weight on their finger gets tiresome over time.

Titanium Rings – Titanium engagement rings and wedding rings are becoming more popular. Titanium is 99+% pure and is inert and therefore completely corrosion resistant. It does not react to salt water, sunlight, or any body chemistry and it is 100% hypoallergenic. Titanium rings never tarnish like silver or gold and are more durable than any other element. Titanium is also extremely lightweight, and more affordable than platinum. Platinum, gold and silver must sacrifice style and function to reduce weight and costs. Titanium provides the stylish rich grey tones of platinum at a much more attractive price. It`s also an excellent choice for tension set rings, check out this titanium ring as an example. Titanium is at the forefront in the designer jewelry community. No other metal has experienced such a dramatic rise in popularity as titanium. For more information on titanium rings, visit http://www.titanium-jewelry.com/abouttitanium.html