Is White Gold Hypoallergenic? And Which Forms of White Gold are Most Likely to Cause Skin Allergies?

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Is white gold hypoallergenic?

Which white gold alloys are most dangerous for people with sensitive skin?

Is white gold jewelry safe or not?

Learn it all right below!

TLDR- Is White Gold Allergenic?

White gold isn’t hypoallergenic. It’s allergenic. White gold is an alloy of yellow gold and white metals such as nickel, palladium, and silver. Both nickel and silver are common allergenic metals and they make white gold unsuitable for people with sensitive skin and known metal allergies.

However, white gold made with palladium instead of nickel is a hypoallergenic option. Rhodium plating is common on white gold jewelry items and rhodium is also a hypoallergenic noble metal.

For example, in the photo bellow you’ll see a rhodium-plated white ring (top) and white gold ring which has had its rhodium plate removed.

The first ring is hypoallergenic, the second isn’t.

Rhodium-plated white gold ring is hypoallergenic. White gold ring without rhodium plating is allergenic.
Rhodium-plated white gold ring is hypoallergenic. White gold ring without rhodium plating is allergenic. Source

Here’s an awesome quiz about white gold’s allergenic properties. Take it after you’ve read my guide

Is White Gold Hypoallergenic? And Which Forms of White Gold are Most Likely to Cause Skin Allergies?
Is White Gold Hypoallergenic? And Which Forms of White Gold are Most Likely to Cause Skin Allergies?

 

Is Pure White Gold Hypoallergenic?

No, pure white gold isn’t hypoallergenic. Because pure white gold doesn’t exist.

You can’t mine raw white gold and you can’t make 24K whit gold from it. Pure, 24K white gold doesn’t exist and 24K gold is actually pure, yellow gold.

Is 18K White Gold Hypoallergenic? What about 14K White Gold? And 10K White Gold?

No, 18K white gold isn’t hypoallergenic. It’s allergenic.

18K white gold contains 75% pure gold (yellow gold isn’t allergenic). The remaining 25% is made up of other metals, such as silver, copper, nickel, or palladium. These metals are added to make the gold harder and more durable. 

Nickle, silver and copper cause skin dermatitis and allergies in sensitive people.

18K white gold isn’t allergenic when nickel is replaced with palladium in the alloy.

14K white gold isn’t hypoallergenic. It’s allergenic.

14K white gold contains 58.3% pure gold (yellow gold isn’t allergenic). The remaining 41.7% is made up of other metals, such as silver, copper, nickel, or palladium. These metals are added to make the gold harder and more durable. 

Nickle, silver and copper cause skin dermatitis and allergies in sensitive people.

14K white gold is more allergenic than 18K white gold because its alloy has less pure gold, and more other metals in it.

14K white gold isn’t allergenic when nickel is replaced with palladium in the alloy.

10K white gold isn’t hypoallergenic. It’s allergenic.

10K white gold contains 41.67% pure gold. The remaining 58.33% is made up of other metals, such as silver, copper, nickel, or palladium. These metals are added to make the gold harder and more durable. 

Nickle, silver and copper cause skin dermatitis and allergies in sensitive people.

10K white gold is more allergenic than 14K and 18K white gold because its alloy has less pure gold, and more other metals in it.

10K white gold isn’t allergenic when nickel is replaced with palladium in the alloy.

What about other white gold karats? Are they hypoallergenic?

  • 8k white gold isn’t hypoallergenic. It’s allergenic. 8K white gold causes allergic reactions because of its high content of other allergenic metals. 8K white gold is an alloy of 33.3% pure yellow gold and 66.7% other metals. 8K white gold isn’t allergenic when nickel is replaced with palladium in the alloy.
  • 9k white gold isn’t hypoallergenic. It’s allergenic. 9K white gold causes allergic reactions because of its high content of other metals. 9K white gold is an alloy of 37.5% pure yellow gold and 62.5% other metals. 9K white gold isn’t allergenic when nickel is replaced with palladium in the alloy.
  • 12k white gold isn’t hypoallergenic. It’s allergenic. 12K white gold is likely to cause allergic reactions because of its high content of other metals. 12K white gold is an alloy of 50% pure yellow gold and 50% other metals. 12K white gold is less likely to cause a reaction than 8K, 9K and 10K white gold. 12K white gold isn’t allergenic when nickel is replaced with palladium in the alloy.
  • 20K white gold isn’t hypoallergenic. It’s allergenic. 20K white gold can cause skin allergies in certain people, but the chances of that happening are relatively small because of high pure gold content. 20K white gold is an alloy that contains 83.33% pure yellow gold and 16.67% of other metals. 20K white gold isn’t allergenic when nickel is replaced with palladium in the alloy.
  • 22K gold isn’t hypoallergenic. It’s allergenic. 22K white gold can cause skin allergies in certain people, but the chances of that happening are relatively small because of high pure gold content. 22K white gold is an alloy that contains 91.67% pure yellow gold and 8.33% of other metals. 22K white gold isn’t allergenic when nickel is replaced with palladium in the alloy.

Is White Gold Vermeil Hypoallergenic?

No, white gold vermeil isn’t hypoallergenic. White gold vermeil is allergenic.

White gold vermeil consists of a sterling silver base that’s coated with a white gold layer.

Sterling silver is hypoallergenic for most people. The only exception are people allergic to silver, copper or both.

White gold plating makes white gold vermeil allergenic. Because the plating is (usually) made of an alloy that contain nickel (a common allergenic metal). And because white gold plating is the surface area of the white gold jewelry item.

In an intact white gold jewelry item non-allergenic sterling silver stays hidden inside.

Is White Gold Bullion Hypoallergenic?

White gold bullion isn’t hypoallergenic because white gold bullion doesn’t exist. There’re no white gold coins and bars you can buy, and white gold as an alloy is mostly used in jewelry making and design.

You can buy IRA-approved gold from reputable US gold investment companies.

A good example is Augusta Precious Metals. Augusta allow you to both open a gold IRA account with them and purchase physical yellow gold bullion to safeguard in your house.

Get Augusta's free guide here!
Read my honest Augusta Precious Metals review here.

Is White Gold Hypoallergenic? And Which Forms of White Gold are Most Likely to Cause Skin Allergies? Conclusion

White gold isn’t hypoallergenic. it’s allergenic. White gold an alloy of yellow gold and white metals such as nickel, palladium, and silver. Both nickel and silver are common allergenic metals and they make white gold unsuitable for people with sensitive skin and known metal allergies.

However, white gold made with palladium instead of nickel is hypoallergenic. Rhodium plating is common on white gold jewelry items and rhodium is also a hypoallergenic noble metal.

Different white  gold karts are also more or less allergenic depending on the karat and the amount or pure gold in the alloy. Generally, the higher the karat, the lower the chances of having an allergic reacting to that white gold jewelry item.

The same principle applies to white gold vermeil.

References:

Nikola Roza

Nikola Roza is a blogger behind Nikola Roza- SEO for the Poor and Determined. He writes for bloggers who don't have huge marketing budget but still want to succeed. Nikola is passionate about precious metals IRAs and how to invest in gold and silver for a safer financial future. Learn about Nikola here.

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