Jewelry and women have long gone hand in hand. Some pieces are beautifully designed and a joy to wear but after a while, a red rash appears, accompanied by itching, and sometimes even an oozing discharge. You may wonder, “Am I allergic to my jewelry? To gold? To some kind of metal?”

The truth is the allergic reaction is caused by nickel (Ni) — a metal that reacts with proteins on the surface of the skin, triggering an allergic response. Nickel is commonly found in mass-market jewelry, where it is added to increase shine and durability.

In diamond-set jewelry, gold accounts for up to 75% of the alloy, with the remaining 25% made up of various alloy metals. It is precisely this 25% that leaves room for manufacturers to mix in heavy metals — including lead and nickel. Many jewelry brands sold in the United States and Europe therefore opt for nickel-free jewelry.

In 1994, the European Union introduced a regulation known as the EU Nickel Directive, which has been revised and updated over the years. It limits the nickel content in products that come into direct contact with skin — including jewelry and accessories — to no more than 0.05%, with the aim of reducing allergic reactions and long-term nickel accumulation in the body.

Similarly, the United States has regulations controlling the levels of metals in jewelry, known as California Proposition 65. This legislation restricts more than 800 chemicals and heavy metals — including nickel, lead, cadmium, mercury, and phthalates. Manufacturers and importers of jewelry are required to declare whether consumers will be exposed to lead from their products in amounts exceeding 0.5 micrograms per day — the threshold considered safe for consumers.

In Thailand, however, there are currently no strict regulations controlling the levels of nickel and other heavy metals in jewelry. Some manufacturers even attempt to work around this by labeling their products as "Nickel Free" — plating the surface with a nickel-free metal while loading the interior of the piece with high levels of nickel mixed with other cheap metals to reduce costs and increase durability. When you first start wearing such jewelry, everything may seem fine — but once the plating begins to wear off, the nickel starts reacting with the skin, causing a metal allergy rash and jewelry sensitivity that can become harmful to the body over time.

Calette Diamonds uses 75% gold (18K Gold) combined with body-safe alloy metals such as palladium, silver, and copper — in full compliance with European Union Nickel Directive and US export standards. You can wear our jewelry with complete confidence that it will not cause any allergic reaction.

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