The Complete Guide to Hypoallergenic Jewellery

November 10, 2025

For those with sensitive skin, jewellery that causes irritation can take the shine out of even the most stunning piece. That’s where hypoallergic jewellery comes in, offering both comfort and style. Designed to be gentle on the skin, hypoallergenic pieces are crafted with premium materials that minimise reactions and allow you to wear your jewellery with ease.

At Pearls of Australia, we believe that beauty shouldn’t come at the cost of comfort. Our designs are made with high-quality, traceable materials and our Australian-grown saltwater pearls, so you can wear timeless jewellery that feels as good as it looks.

Key Takeaways

Hypoallergenic jewellery is designed to be gentle on sensitive skin, crafted with premium, non-reactive metals that minimise reactions.
Nickel is the most common cause of jewellery allergies, so opting for nickel-safe, traceable materials ensures long-term comfort and wearability.
Avoid metals like nickel, brass and copper, as they can trigger reactions or skin discolouration.
For those with very senisitve skin, non-metal materials like ceramic, neoprene, and silk jewellery provide stylish, irritation free alternatives.
Saltwater pearls set on hypoallergenic materials like 18ct gold is one of the most skin-friendly options, combining natural beauty with traceable craftsmanship, and a passion for high-quality jewellery.

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What Is Hypoallergenic Jewellery?

Hypoallergenic simply means that something is less likely to trigger an allergic reaction. In the jewellery industry, this term refers to pieces made from metals and materials that are safe for sensitive skin, free from common irritants like nickel or brass.

For those who experience redness, itching, or rashes while wearing jewellery, choosing hypoallergenic metals can make all the difference. These materials are gentler on the skin and often more durable. This ensures you can wear your favourite piece for years to come.

Understanding Metal Allergies

Metal allergies are surprisingly quite common, particularly when it comes to earrings. These reactions often occur when the skin encounters certain alloys like nickel and prompts an immune response that causes inflammation and irritation.

Symptoms can range from mild itching to dermatitis. While these reactions are uncomfortable, they can be avoided by selecting jewellery made from high-quality, non-reactive materials. Every Pearls of Australia piece is crafted with sensitivity in mind, ensuring even the most sensitive skin can wear our designs with comfort.

What is the Most Common Jewellery Allergy?

The most common jewellery allergy is a nickel allergy. Nickel is widely used in lower quality or plated jewellery to add strength and shine, but it’s unfortunately one of the leading causes of dermatitis. Even trace amounts of nickel can trigger a reaction for those sensitive to this alloy. That’s why our collection of pearl jewellery is nickel-safe and traceable, made using metals carefully chosen for their purity. When you invest in a quality, heirloom piece, you’re not only choosing craftsmanship but also choosing peace of mind.

Metals to Avoid If You Have Sensitive Skin

Not all metals are suitable for everyone. Some contain elements that can easily cause allergic reactions, particularly for those with sensitive skin.

Non-Hypoallergenic Jewellery Metals

Nickel: The main culprit behind most jewellery allergies is nickel. Even in small quantities, nickel can cause irritation, especially in earrings or rings.
Brass: Made from a mixture of copper and zinc, brass often contains traces of nickel as well. Its low cost makes it common costume jewellery, but is not recommended for everyday wear if you have allergies or sensitivities.
Copper: While naturally beautiful, copper is prone to oxidation and can cause skin discolouration or irritation in some people.

Avoiding these metals and opting for high-quality, nickel-safe materials ensures your jewelleryremains both comfortable and enduring.

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Choosing Jewellery For Sensitive Skin

If you have sensitive skin, choosing the right materials is essential.

Best Metals for Hypoallergenic Jewellery

When it comes to hypoallergenic jewellery, not all metals are created equal. Some are naturally non-reactive and safe for sensitive skin, while others can contain irritants. Here are the best options to look for when building a hypoallergenic jewellery collection:

Solid Gold: Gold is one of the most hypoallergenic metals available, especially the higher purities like 18ct gold. Our 18ct gold jewellery is crafted using alloys that maintain strength while minimising reactive metals.

Sterling Silver: Sterling silver is generally considered hypoallergenic. As it is 92.5% pure silver but it is not 100% sterling silver, the remaining 7.5% can sometimes be other metals like copper or nickel so can cause a reaction. However, our jewellery is nickel-safe and when properly cared for, sterling silver jewellery it remains a classic and comfortable choice.

Gold Vermeil: With sterling silver as its base metal, and plated with 10ct solid gold, gold vermeil is a great hypoallergenic metal option for your next jewellery piece.

Ceramic: Lightweight and non-metal, ceramic jewellery is ideal for anyone wanting an elegant, allergy-free alternative.

Neoprene: Neoprene is another non-reactive material perfect for sensitive skin, is super durable and the perfect unisex jewellery option..

Silk: Our use of 100% silk cords are certified under OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100, ensuring they contain no harmful chemicals and are a fantastic option.

At Pearls of Australia, we only use high-quality, traceable materials, ensuring that every piece is not just beautiful but safe, sustainable and long-lasting.

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Is Gold or Silver Better For Sensitive Skin?

While both gold and sterling silver and excellent choice for sensitive skin, however the higher the gold content, the less likely it is to contain reactive alloys. Similarly, sterling silver that’s free from nickel is gentle and safe to wear.

If you’re unsure, solid gold is often considered the most hypoallergenic metal available at Pearls of Australia. However, both options are dependent on where the metal is sourced from; whether it is sourced from a reputable supplier and is traceable.

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Why Pearls of Australia is the Best Choice For Hypoallergenic Jewellery

When combined with hypoallergenic metals, pearl jewellery is one of the most comfortable and skin-friendly choices you can make. Our saltwater pearls are a natural gemstone produced at our very own Cygnet Bay and Broken Bay pearl farms and are never chemically treated or enhanced.

Each of our pieces are crafted with care, pairing sustainably farmed Australian South Sea and Akoya pearls with premium, hypoallergenic settings in gold, sterling silver, ceramic, neoprene and silk. The result is jewellery that’s not just beautiful but kind to your skin and the environment.

We’re committed to not only sustainability but traceability of our pearls and our metals, meaning you can wear your jewellery with confidence, knowing that every material is ethically sourced, expertly crafted and suited to sensitive skin.

Explore Our Range of Hypoallergenic Jewellery Options

Choosing hypoallergenic jewellery is about more than avoiding a reaction or irritation; it’s about choosing quality, care and craftsmanhip.

At Pearls of Australia, our collection is designed for every skin type, made from the finest materials, responsibly sourced and beautifully crafted. Whether you prefer gold, silver, ceramic, neoprene or silk, selecting materials safe for sensitive skin ensures that you can wear your jewellery with confidence and comfort.

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