At Moira Antique, we know that jewelry is not only a reflection of style and personality but also needs to be comfortable and safe for those who wear it. Today we want to focus on a key topic: hypoallergenic jewelry.

If you've ever experienced irritation, redness or itching after wearing earrings, vintage rings, necklaces, or bracelets, your skin may be reacting to certain metals in those pieces. But what makes jewelry hypoallergenic? How can you identify it, and what materials are the safest?

What Does Hypoallergenic Jewelry Mean?

The term “hypoallergenic” means the product is very unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. In jewelry, this implies that the piece is made from or coated with materials that do not irritate the skin, avoiding common allergens like nickel or other irritating metals.

It’s important to clarify that no jewelry is 100% risk-free, as every skin is different, but we can greatly reduce discomfort by choosing materials wisely.

Safe and Common Materials Used in Hypoallergenic Jewelry

At Moira Antique, we carefully select vintage jewelry to minimize risks and ensure quality. The most common and safe materials include:

• Sterling Silver 925: With 92.5% pure silver and noble alloy metals, it’s one of the most popular skin-friendly materials. Its purity and quality make it ideal for those seeking elegant pieces without irritation.
  
• 18k (or higher) White Gold & Yellow Gold: Pure gold is a noble and hypoallergenic metal, but it’s alloyed for strength. Our vintage rings in white gold and yellow rings gold 18k or higher offer durability and minimal allergy risk.
  
  
• Gold below 18k (e.g., 14k or 9k): These alloys contain more base metals like copper or nickel which can raise allergy risk and wear over time. However, some vintage pieces are worthy for their rarity, as long as you handle and clean them carefully.
  
  
• Platinum: A noble metal that is extremely resistant and naturally hypoallergenic. Though less common in vintage jewelry, some high-end rings include platinum.
  
  
• Titanium: Strong, lightweight, and biocompatible. It’s ideal for sensitive skin and appears in some contemporary vintage pieces.
  
  
• Surgical Steel: Used in medical-grade applications, it’s highly corrosion-resistant and generally non-allergenic. Less common in antique jewelry, but found in certain restored or adapted pieces.

Materials That May Cause Allergies

Many skin reactions stem from contact with metals such as nickel, cadmium, copper, or chrome, often found in low-quality or poorly maintained antique jewelry. These metals can oxidize and release particles that irritate the skin, causing redness or inflammation.

At Moira Antique, we carefully avoid pieces with high content of these metals or that don’t meet our minimal quality standards, so you can wear your vintage rings and other jewelry worry-free.

Care Tips to Keep Your Hypoallergenic Jewelry in Top Shape

Choosing hypoallergenic jewelry is just the start. How you care for it will also determine its longevity and how well it respects your skin:

• Avoid wetting the pieces or exposing them to chemicals like perfumes, creams or cleaning products.
• Store your jewelry in a dry place, separated by piece to avoid scratches or oxidation.
• Clean your pieces with metal-appropriate products, preferably with soft cloths designed for jewelry.
• Always remove jewelry when sleeping, exercising, or during activities that may damage them or accumulate sweat.

The Magic of Vintage Jewelry and the Importance of Quality

At Moira Antique, our passion is vintage jewelry—pieces that carry personality and history. We don’t make jewelry, but we carefully curate each piece so they’re not only beautiful, but also comfortable and safe to wear.

When you choose a vintage ring or any other piece from our collection, you’re choosing tradition, elegance, and enduring quality. Our commitment is that you can wear these unique pieces without worrying about allergies or discomfort.

Want to Discover Our Exclusive Selection of Hypoallergenic Vintage Jewelry?

We invite you to explore our collection of vintage rings, vintage earrings, necklaces, and bracelets—pieces that combine beauty with care for your skin. Each piece is authenticated and inspected so you can wear it with confidence and style.

Visit our online store and fall for jewelry with soul, history, and unmatched quality.