Braucht Edelstahlschmuck besondere Pflege?

Reinigung ohne Risiko: warmes Wasser, milde Seife, weiches Tuch. Finger weg von Ultraschallgeräten bei geklebten Steinen und von allem, was scheuert.

Im Vergleich hält Edelstahl die Farbe am längsten. Auflagen an bunten Stücken nutzen sich dennoch ab.

Hat Modeschmuck einen Wiederverkaufswert?

Nein, und darüber sollte niemand hinwegreden. Modeschmuck hat Gebrauchswert, keinen Materialwert. Wer Substanz sucht, landet bei Vollgold und anderen Preisen.

Jewelry Allergy: What to do for Nickel Allergy and Skin Reactions?

17.05.20266 Min. Lesezeit

hautfreundliche Schmuck von Corelune Jewellery, sicher für Nickelallergiker

Kurz gesagt: Jewelry allergy: Understanding nickel allergy, all resistant materials explained (titanium, solid stainless steel, sterling silver (925), yellow gold), first aid tips, and a shopping checklist.

Jewellery allergy: What to do about a nickel allergy and skin reactions? In short: Nickel is an inexpensive metal used in many jewellery alloys. A nickel allergy is a type IV contact allergy: after an initial sensitizing contact, the body reacts with an inflammatory response to every subsequent contact with nickel. Reactions usually appear at clasps and soldering points, not over the entire surface.

Status: September 2026. By Phil Oberlaender, Corelune Jewellery, Düsseldorf.

Redness, itching, small blisters around the ear hole – a jewellery allergy is more common than you might think. According to studies, nickel is the most common contact allergen in Europe. But with the right knowledge and the right materials, you can still wear beautiful jewellery even if you have an allergy. This guide explains what is behind jewellery allergies and what you can do about them.

What is a nickel allergy?

Material note: The sections on alloys refer to the market in general. Corelune itself carries stainless steel with gold or silver plating between €12.95 and €59.95. Free shipping from €59, 14-day returns.

Redness and itching at the point of contact (ear hole, finger, wrist)
Dry, flaky skin
Blistering in severe cases
Weeping sores with prolonged exposure

Once developed, a nickel allergy is long-lasting. It cannot be "trained away," but you can avoid it completely with the right materials.

Which jewellery materials contain nickel?

Nickel is primarily found in inexpensive alloys: fashion jewellery made of zinc alloy, chrome-plated jewellery, white gold (often alloyed with nickel), stainless steel alloys of grade 304 or lower, and gold-plated jewellery with a nickel-based foundation.

Resistant jewellery materials, what really helps

Stainless steel

The grade of solid stainless steel contains a minimal amount of nickel, but releases almost no nickel at all. The most affordable resistant material. Ideal for initial piercings and fresh piercings.

Titanium

Completely resistant, lightweight, extremely biocompatible. Titanium is the material of choice for people with a very severe allergy. Also used for technical implants; it doesn't get any safer than that.

925 Sterling silver

Genuine sterling silver is processed as a solid; the copper content (7.5%) can trigger a mild reaction in some, however. For most people with a nickel allergy, it is problem-free.

585/750 Gold (Yellow gold)

Pure yellow gold is resistant. 14k alloys may contain copper and silver, but no nickel. Yellow gold is. Caution: White gold is traditionally bleached with nickel; look for white gold with a palladium alloy instead of nickel.

Platinum

The most precious and resistant metal of all. It is hard to get more completely resistant than this. Priced accordingly.

First aid for a jewellery allergy

Remove jewellery immediately
Clean the affected area with clear water
Cortisone cream (available at pharmacies) on the inflammation, reduces symptoms quickly
Keep the affected area dry, do not scratch
In case of a severe reaction: see a dermatologist

Buying well-crafted jewellery: Checklist

Look for "resistant" or "hypoallergenic" jewellery
Check stamps: "925", "585", "Ti" (titanium), or "Stainless Steel" (surgical steel)
For gold-plated jewellery: ask about the base material, insist on a resistant base
Initial piercings and fresh piercings: only titanium or solid stainless steel

What can you find at Corelune regarding resistant jewellery?

At Corelune Jewellery, we rely on resistant materials; all our pieces are tested for tolerance. Even with sensitive skin, you can wear beautiful jewellery.

Discover resistant jewellery and wear it safely & stylishly!

Which material lasts best in everyday life?

Point of wear	Why there first	Countermeasure
Inside of ring	Constant contact with skin	Solid material instead of plating
Clasp	Moved daily	Choose a sturdier design
Chain links at the neck	Friction against collar and hair	Prefer flat chain types
Underside of bracelet	Rests on table and sleeves	Slimmer design, less contact surface

Details here: Jewellery allergy: Which materials are well-tolerated and what to do in case of reactions?.

How do you properly care for jewellery pieces?

Care here mainly means leaving out the wrong products. Store them in a dry, dark place and separately from each other, never permanently in the bathroom. The effort takes just a few minutes a month, making it less than for any precious metal.

Which combinations work with jewellery pieces?

The most common cause for a restless overall look is not the quantity, but the lack of a common denominator. Simple shapes suit the office; in the evening, one piece can be significantly larger than the rest. Ultimately, what counts is whether you feel comfortable with it; everything else is just a guideline.

How do you recognize well-crafted jewellery pieces?

You can check the craftsmanship without knowing anything about alloys or manufacturing processes. With glued elements, it's worth applying some pressure to check, because glued is always the less durable option compared to set stones. Once you’ve paid attention to it, you’ll spot it in seconds next time.

Material, dimensions, and prices at a glance

Showering, swimming, and sports do nothing to the stainless steel; it does not tarnish. For reference, here are the values from the Corelune assortment.

Feature	Value
Material	Stainless steel (RVS 304 or RVS 316), nickel-free, waterproof, and tarnish-resistant
Gold plating	14 karat, 2.5 micrometers on stainless steel
Chain lengths	Choker 32 cm to 36 cm, standard 37 cm to 45 cm, long from 46 cm
Ring sizes	16 mm to 19 mm inner diameter, many adjustable
Prices	most items between €30 and €36, no item over €65
Multiple items	20% from 2 items, 25% from 3, 30% from 4, 35% from 5
Shipping	free from €59, 2 to 5 working days to Germany, 14-day returns

Frequently asked questions

Does stainless steel jewellery need special care?

Cleaning without risk: warm water, mild soap, soft cloth. Keep hands off ultrasonic devices for glued stones and anything abrasive.

Does stainless steel tarnish?

By comparison, stainless steel keeps its color the longest. Platings on colorful pieces will still wear off eventually.

Does fashion jewellery have a resale value?

No, and nobody should gloss over that. Fashion jewellery has utility value, no material value. Those looking for substance end up with solid gold and other prices.

From the assortment, this goes well with: Lucky Charm stainless steel necklace and Shell stainless steel pearl bracelet. You can find more bestsellers in the category most popular pieces.

About the author

Phil Oberlaender manages Corelune Jewellery in Düsseldorf and has worked with stainless steel jewellery daily since 2024: sample testing, complaints, everyday wear tests. The information in this article comes from our own assortment and customer feedback. Where Corelune does not offer something, it is stated as such here.

Which categories fit this topic?

From the assortment, this goes well with:

The quantity discount is 20% for two items, 25% for three, 30% for four, and 35% for five. Free shipping from 59 euros. If you are already looking at two items, it is better to order them together.

View silver jewellery for women at Corelune