If your ears itch, swell or go red after wearing earrings, you are not fragile and you are not unlucky. In almost every case the culprit is nickel, a cheap metal hiding inside most fashion jewelry, and the fix is knowing what your jewelry is actually made of.
Here is the plain truth about the common options, from a founder who reads supplier metal specs for a living.
Solid gold (14k and up)
is the gold standard for sensitive skin, and priced like it. Beautiful, safe, often hundreds of dollars per piece.
Gold filled
is the smart middle. A thick layer of real 14k gold is mechanically bonded over a core, by law at least 5 percent of the piece's weight in gold, which is roughly 100 times thicker than plating. Your skin only ever touches real gold. It survives daily wear, water and years of use. This is what most Zizi pieces are made of, and it is why we can sell everyday safe jewelry between $40 and $210 instead of $400.
Stainless steel (316L, sometimes called surgical steel)
is the budget safe option. Very low nickel release, durable, great for silver tone pieces.
Gold vermeil
is real gold over sterling silver. Safe, but the gold layer is thinner than gold filled, so it wears faster.
Gold plated
is where sensitive ears get hurt. A microscopically thin flash of gold over brass or mystery alloy, it wears through in weeks and then your skin sits on the base metal. If a product page says plated, or says nothing at all about materials, assume nickel.
How to shop anywhere, not just with us: look for the words gold filled, 316L stainless, titanium or solid gold stated plainly on the product page. If a listing will not name its metal, the metal is the secret.
Care is simple: wipe pieces after workouts, store them dry, and gold filled will stay golden for years.
Every piece at Zizi Jewelry is chosen with sensitive skin in mind, 14k gold filled or stainless steel, stated on every product page. We are a small brand in New York and we answer questions personally at info@zizijewelry.com.