Alternatives to platinum?

LadyMorvenMacBeth

So, my fiancee and I are meeting with a ring maker on Saturday to design our engagement and wedding rings. Fiancee is going for gold for both rings, but I really don't suit gold and am extremely allergic to platinum. The ring maker says he can get any jewelry metal I like, but I don't actually know of any other silvery metals that aren't platinum or silver.

Do you guys know of any alternatives to platinum and silver?

msuprincess04

White gold? Palladium (which I've only seen in commercials)?

Dignity100

You could potentially do Titanium (cannot be resized)

What is wrong with doing white gold (unless you're allergic to both nickle and platinum).

doeydo

I copied this from Jared http://www.jared.com/ContentView?catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=10451&cmsId=alternative_metals_1  "Titanium

Titanium is a fairly recent addition to fashion jewelry. Admired for its unique appearance and maximum strength, titanium is much lighter than steel, yet three times stronger. When used in jewelry, titanium is not combined with other metal alloys. It weighs 1/3 less than gold and is highly resistant to dents and bending. Also, this hypoallergenic metal will not corrode over time. The most classic colors of titanium are gray and black with beautiful finishes such as satin, frost or high-polish. It’s important to note that, because of its composition, titanium rings cannot be resized.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is becoming very popular among jewelry wearers. This metal is very easy to maintain because it is less likely to rust and corrode than regular steel and other metals. The chromium present in stainless steel (generally at least 10.5%) resists the process of oxidation, preventing rust or "stains" from appearing on the steel's surface. Stainless steel is also greatly admired for its strength.

Tungsten

One of the newest metals to the jewelry industry, tungsten has many fine qualities. Resistant to corrosion, tungsten is four times harder than titanium and very dense. Its supreme strength ensures that the metal cannot bend, but it also cannot be resized. Polish for tungsten jewelry can be permanent, meaning little maintenance is required.

Brawn Cobalt by Scott Kay

All Brawn Cobalt men's bands by Scott Kay are created from BioBlu27, a 100% solid, incredibly durable naturally white alloy with high strength and resistance to corrosion, so it is easy to wear and to maintain for anyone with an active lifestyle. Brawn Cobalt is also hypoallergenic.

Palladium

A lustrous white metal with chemical properties similar to platinum. palladium does not tarnish and is extremely durable and hypoallergenic. Jewelry made from palladium is easily cleaned with mild soap and water." 

Ven&Radio

Palladium is hypoallergenic.  It's similar in appearance to platinum and has a similar higher cost (compared to gold or silver).  I'm sure the jeweler you are meeting with could help point you in the right direction as well.

Dignity100

Palladium lives in the same family as Platinum - I did not recommend it because if one is allergic to platinum since their in the same family would one be running the risk of being allergic to palladium?? 

artbyallie

Platinum is hypoallergenic, so I'm thinking if OP is somehow allergic to it, she'd be allergic to palladium too. White gold is an option, but OP should ask them to skip the rhodium plating because it's also related to platinum/palladium.

OP, are you sure you're not confusing platinum with white gold? A lot of people are allergic to white gold because of the nickel content. And actually, the jeweler I work for does a special white gold blend that's low on nickel for that reason.

I would personally not recommend sterling silver for the everyday wear an engagement ring and wedding band are going to get. Gold or platinum are best, and for stones, diamond and/or corundum (ruby and sapphire). Cobalt is also a white metal that is strong, but I don't know how well it would work to set with stones, since I've only ever seen it in men's plain bands. I have seen titanium rings with gypsy-set or tension-set diamonds, but I've never seen one with a traditional prong-set stone.

hikebikebemerry

Hypoallergenic does not mean that nobody can be allergic to it.  It just means that it's not as likely.

Because Palladium and Platinum are in the same family, I would probably go with white gold (if you're going for the silver look).  I don't do well with gold normally, but FI got me a gold ring that had a finish where it wasn't a really yellow gold, I'm pretty sure the finish is called sandblasted.

You could talk to the jeweler about your problem and ask what their return policy is.  If you can purchase a ring (even just a plain band) of palladium to try it out, but return it if you have a reaction to it, that might work.

erinlin25

My vote would be white gold

LadyMorvenMacBeth

Apparently, my skin is too acidic for white gold and I'd need to get it re-coated every five years, so I'd rather not go for white gold. (Awkward little shit, aren't I?) 

My friend's wedding ring is Black Zirconium and Iridium and she made me try it on when she first got it (she's very strange) and I wasn't allergic to that so I'm not allergic to all metals in the Platinum group, so I'm going to try @hikebikebemerry 's suggestion and get a palladium ring and see how it goes.

And @artbyallie it's definitely Platinum I'm allergic too. Because she is insane (I love her really), my grandmother bought me Platinum earrings for my 12 birthday and I had to got to hospital and have them surgically removed because my entire body had swollen up so much. 

artbyallie

Most women have to have white gold rings replated every 1-2 years because the rhodium wears off. Some people wear it off faster than others, but five years is actually quite a long time to go without plating. Good luck on the palladium. It's pretty and strong as well, in addition to being less expensive than platinum, so I hope that works out for you.

Cookie Pusher

My e-ring is white gold, and you could already see the color was changing within 4 months. It's so subtle, though, that you'd have to stare at the ring to notice it. I'm having it replated right before the wedding, so over 2 years, which my jeweler said is pretty typical. It costs almost nothing, so it's not a big deal to me.