Okay we all know how for some people, if they wear certain metals close to themselves, odd or skin discoloration can occur. For a rare few, such skin discoloration is the last thing they need to worry about. If an individual suffers from an extreme allergy to any given metal they should come in contact with, things such as anaphylactic shock, seizure and even death are real possibilities. Anyone who suffers from an allergy to a common metal used in the manufacture of wedding rings of course needs to take this into account when making their purchase. Let’s explore some of the most common hypoallergenic metals, or metals which are free from any known human allergic response, and how wedding rings designed around such metals may be the right choice for you.

Many people suffer from an allergy to gold, or perhaps more precisely… yellow gold. When jewelers speak of yellow gold, they are referring to gold in its pure form, or perhaps a lower fineness of gold, one which which has been alloyed with copper. For most people who suffer from a gold allergy, white gold is the far better choice for a wedding ring setting. Modern white gold wedding ring trends tend toward the incorporation of the element platinum in their design, but silver is also a common substitute, particularly for those on a tight budget. However, no matter if silver, platinum or even some other metal is used in the design of your white wedding ring, you should be sure that you do not suffer from an allergy from the metal with which the gold has been alloyed to. 

Two other hypoallergenic metals which are commonly incorporated into wedding ring designs, and have actually become quite trendy, are titanium and tungsten. There have been only a few reported cases of allergies to these two metals, and as such they make fine alternatives to the more standard precious metals which are used in making wedding rings. Though both of these metals are most famous for their industrial purposes, the unique beauty and durability that they provide make them attractive options for any wedding ring design, particularly if they are to be worn by an individual who suffers from a common metal allergy. These two alternative metals are becoming more and more popular with men, especially. After all, how manly does the phrase, “tungsten-carbide” sound anyway? And do not be misled into thinking that wedding rings constructed from such materials will look like some dull gray band. When brought to a high polish, the reflective shine of these two metals is actually quite stunning. Moreover, with processes known as anodization and oxidation, wedding rings made from titanium or tungsten can be given unique color schemes which are unavailable in the more standard precious metals used in wedding ring design. Though certainly harder to engrave or create intricate designs upon, titanium and tungsten do both possess the ability to have unique features inscribed on their surfaces. Tungsten-carbide, another common wedding ring material, is the exception to that. It is so hard and dense that it is essentially scratch resistant, and as such, special inscriptions are really not an option.

Lastly, for those who may suffer from extreme or multiple metal allergies there is one final alternative that is rarely discussed, and that is surgical steel. Yes, the same metal used in scalpels and so many other surgical tools is in fact a fine choice, perhaps even the best for any individual who truly fears they may have an extreme allergy. Surgical steel can easily polished to a high shine, have gems and precious stone set within it, and can of course be inscribed or engraved like any other form of iron.