If you have sensitive skin, the likelihood of being allergic to metal is very likely. Any alloy that has nickel or lead can irritate your skin and sometimes leave a nasty green mark on your skin when jewelry is worn for a long time. A necklace is a piece of clingy jewelry coming in direct contact with the nape and some parts of your neck area, which sometimes causes irritation and itching to sensitive skin, especially when mixed with sweat and moisture. You may choose to overlook necklaces, but the good news is that there are hypoallergenic pieces you can wear so you can still have the choice to wear this type of accessory.
Number one rule when picking necklace chains is to avoid anything that is made of nickel or mixed with nickel. Nickel what lower-priced jewelry are often made since it has a high polish, cheap to produce and durable. But it also accounts for most metal allergies, found in the form of itch, crusty residues on skin or rash. Brass and copper can also have ugly effects to sensitive skin, so choose to stay away from them, or choose those that have a thick, hypoallergenic outer layer, like gold plating.
Also, it’s best to invest in hypoallergenic fine jewelry. Don’t settle for something of lesser value if it will just irritate your skin. Jewelry with higher levels of purity means it has less alloys, that’s why gold, platinum and sterling silver are less likely to cause skin allergies and contact dermatitis.
Here are the kinds of metals you should be choosing for a hypoallergenic necklace and some pieces you can buy from Amazon:
Gold
The purity of gold is measured in karat (k), and the higher the karat, the higher the ratio of gold to alloys. 24k is the purest form of gold, and anything below 14k means that at least half of the jewelry is made of alloys. For those looking for hypoallergenic gold necklace chains, choose those that are 14k and above. Whether it’s yellow gold or rose gold, a 14k, 18k or 24k necklace is a great choice for people looking for hypoallergenic jewelry. White gold of a high karat level is also great if you prefer a more silver color, but it’s better to choose platinum.
This simple pearl pendant necklace has 14k gold chain, available in yellow gold, rose gold and white gold.
A beautiful cross necklace, this one’s made of solid 14k yellow and white gold. The design is great for both men and women.
This one’s a dainty little necklace wherein you can set the moon phase on the pendant. It’s cute and had lots of positive reviews about it being hypoallergenic.
Gold-plated
Gold-plated pieces may contain a nickel base or nickel alloy, so before buying anything that is gold-plated, make sure you know what metal is underneath the gold lining. The great thing is there are lots of gold-plated jewelry that is gentle to your skin just like solid gold jewelry. This means it’s much cheaper, too. Gold is often plated over sterling silver, making it a durable jewelry option.
This has a cute triangular pendant filled with opal that looks trendy and beautiful.
Feel free to add a pendant to this thin chain made of sterling silver plated with 18k gold.
Gift this shiny trinket to yourself or someone special. This one’s plated with hypoallergenic, 18k white gold, with pendants studded with little cubic zirconia crystals.
Sterling silver
When buying silver jewelry, make sure it’s marked “sterling” or “925,” which means it’s 92.5 percent pure. Avoid silver-plated jewelry, as it could have a brass or copper metal base, which can irritate sensitive skin.
This link chain necklace proudly states that it’s made in Italy and safe for all skin types.
Get ready to get lots of compliments with this beautiful crystal hummingbird pendant on a sterling silver chain.
This beautiful necklace made of sterling silver has a simple and dainty pendant, with a stone of sparkling cubic zirconia in the middle.
Tungsten
Tungsten is a strong and attractive metal, so it doesn’t need to be mixed with nickel or other skin-irritating metals. Tungsten chains are common in men’s jewelry.
If you’re digging the hiphop fashion, this tungsten golden toned chain necklace is a perfect accessory.
This one’s a black version of the golden chain necklace earlier. Try it with its matching tungsten carbide bracelet.
If you prefer a silver finish, get this tungsten chain necklace. It’s dazzling finish makes it perfect for contemporary style.
Platinum
Platinum is a pure metal that is malleable, but durable. It doesn’t have to be alloyed with a cheap base metal like nickel. Sometimes, it is alloyed with iridium but it is less likely to cause allergic reactions. Platinum is like silver in color, and platinum chains can be worn with pendants. You can also find a lot of platinum-plated sterling silver chains on the market.
This light rope chain necklace crafted in genuine platinum provides a great chain for people with sensitive skin to hold their rings and wear it on the neck.
This round snake chain is thicker and sturdier than the earlier mentioned platinum chain, and is made of solid platinum – not hollow and not plated.