What is the healthiest metal to wear?

Short answer

No metal is universally the healthiest, but pure platinum and high-karat gold are among the least likely to cause reactions. If you have sensitive skin, choose a metal with few or no alloy metals and test it before buying.

There is no single healthiest metal for everyone, because reactions depend on your skin and on how the ring is made. The most common cause of irritation is not the gold or platinum itself, but the other metals mixed in, such as nickel.

Platinum is often a good choice for sensitive skin because it is usually alloyed with other durable, hypoallergenic metals and does not need rhodium plating. High-karat gold, like 18 carat, contains more pure gold and fewer alloy metals than lower karats, which can help if you react to nickel. However, even 18 carat gold may contain some alloy metals, so ask the jeweller exactly what is in it.

If you know you react to certain metals, consider:

platinum or palladium white gold
titanium or tungsten carbide, which are naturally nickel-free
avoiding white gold unless it is clearly nickel-free

Some people find that a smooth, polished band feels gentler than a textured one. If a ring itches, burns or turns your finger green or red, take it off and speak to a dermatologist. A jeweller can also resize, polish or replate a ring to improve comfort.