The Ultimate Sensitive Skin Jewellery Guide: Learn Which Metals to Love & Avoid
- Aarefa | Earth Angel HQ
- Aug 5
- 4 min read
Struggling to wear jewellery without the itch, redness, or rash?
You are not alone. If you have sensitive skin, finding the right jewellery can feel like a frustrating game of trial and error. The good news? You don’t have to compromise on style or sparkle to keep your skin happy.
In this guide, we’ll explore:
The most skin-friendly metals to look for
What to avoid if you’re prone to irritation
How Bloomtine’s jewellery is consciously designed with sensitive skin in mind
And, a few of our most-loved hypoallergenic pieces perfect for everyday wear
Why Does Jewellery Irritate Sensitive Skin?
The most common cause of irritation is metal allergy—especially to nickel. Even tiny amounts of nickel found in base metals or low-quality alloys can cause redness, itching, flaking, or painful rashes.
Other potential culprits include:
Harsh plating techniques
Non-hypoallergenic earring backs
Copper or brass jewellery with no protective coating
If your skin reacts to jewellery, it’s not your skin's fault—it’s your jewellery’s material.
What Jewellery Metals Are Best for Sensitive Skin aka Metals We Love?
✅ Gold Vermeil
Unlike gold-plated jewellery, vermeil is crafted with a thick layer of solid gold (at least 2.5 microns) over sterling silver—making it more durable, luxurious, and gentle on sensitive skin.
✅ Sterling Silver (925)
Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver, making it naturally hypoallergenic and a great choice for everyday wear.
✅ High-Karat Gold (14K and 18K Yellow Gold)
While 14K gold contains 58.5% pure gold and 18K contains 75% pure gold, the remaining alloy metals are typically copper and silver, which are far less likely to cause a reaction than nickel. Yellow gold is generally the safest choice as it rarely contains nickel. When considering white gold, ensure it's alloyed with palladium, not nickel, and ideally, rhodium-plated for an extra barrier.
✅ Rhodium-Plated Jewellery
Rhodium is a rare, hypoallergenic precious metal from the platinum family. When used as a coating, it prevents direct contact with base metals and gives jewellery a long-lasting, brilliant finish.
✅ Platinum
The gold standard for sensitive skin. Platinum is naturally hypoallergenic, extremely durable, and maintains its lustrous white shine without needing rhodium plating (which can wear off).
Metals to Avoid for Sensitive Skin (The "No-Go" List)
❌ Nickel
The biggest culprit. Avoid any jewellery that contains nickel, especially "costume jewellery" or "fashion jewellery" which frequently uses nickel as a base metal.
❌ Brass
Often a mix of copper and zinc, brass can cause skin discolouration (green marks) and allergic reactions in some individuals.
❌ Copper
While sterling silver contains copper, pure copper jewellery can oxidize and turn skin green, and some individuals are sensitive to it.
❌ Mystery Alloys
If a brand doesn't disclose the metal composition, proceed with caution. Many cheap alloys contain irritants.
❌ Plated Jewellery (with caution)
While plating (like rhodium plating on white gold or gold plating on brass) can create a barrier, it can wear off over time, exposing the potentially irritating base metal beneath. Always look for thick, durable plating like Gold Vermeil.
Bloomtine: Ethical, Hypoallergenic Jewellery That Loves Your Skin Back
At Bloomtine, we believe luxury should feel as good as it looks.
All our jewellery is nickel-free, lead-free, and made with hypoallergenic metals like 14K Gold Vermeil and Sterling Silver with Rhodium Coating.
Our gemstones—including lab-grown moissanites—are ethically sourced, skin-safe, and sparkly without compromise.
Each piece is designed to be lightweight, wearable, and tarnish-resistant—perfect for gifting or daily wear.
We pride ourselves on knowing exactly what goes into our jewellery. Our materials are meticulously selected from certified ethical suppliers, ensuring no hidden nasties that could trigger a reaction. Each piece is handcrafted with precision, ensuring smooth finishes and secure settings. With Bloomtine, you can finally build a collection of exquisite pieces you'll love, knowing they're crafted with your comfort and well-being at heart.
Our Top Hypoallergenic Bloomtine Jewellery Picks for Daily Wear:
At Bloomtine, we believe that beautiful jewellery should be an effortless extension of you. Say goodbye to irritation and hello to a world where style meets comfort. Discover the Bloomtine difference today.
With Bloomtine you don't have to compromise on the design for skin-friendly jewellery. Our exclusive designs are crafted with hypoallergenic materials at our London studio.
🪽 What our Angels Have to Say About Gifting With Us:
"Great customer service and my earrings are beautiful 💗" - Lilybeth Chivers
"I love love love my Mini Halo Wings Bracelet. Its so dainty and is such a sweet, feminine reminder. It makes me feel like an angel." - Aarefa Matiwala
"Just got my first pair of studs from BloomTine and they are beautiful! I love how they are so simple yet eye catching."
🛍 Where to Shop Bloomtine's Jewellery for Sensitive Skin
✨ In-Person Retail
Wolf & Badger - SOHO London - 102 Berwick St, London W1F 0QB, United Kingdom
Atlas - San Diego (USA) - Westfield UTC, 4545 La Jolla Village Dr Ste E-25, San Diego, CA 92122, United States
Atlas - Los Angeles (USA) - Westfield Century City, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90067, United States
💻 Shop Online (Shipping Worldwide)
Explore the full collection anytime at www.bloomtine.com
You can also find us stocked online at Wolf & Badger, Oxygen Lifestyle, Rackhams, and Immaculate Vegan
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Love,
Bloomtine | Earth Angel HQ
