When you are in the market for buying children's jewelry there are a few factors that you would need to consider. Some children have sensitive ears and all metals may not be suitable to them. As a broad principle, nickel is one metal you should avoid for children's jewelry. Children with minor nickel allergy may be able to use nickel jewelry for a day or two, but children with severe allergies to nickel should avoid not just nickel jewelry but even nickel watches and nickel buttons.
Selecting nickel free children's jewelry
When you are shopping for children's jewelry free from nickel, though there is no U.S. standard as of now, you should ensure that the children's jewelry you bring home comply with the European standard for nickel free jewelry. Upto one part in 2000 or 0.05 is what this standard prescribes. The Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America can be contacted if you wish to know more on this. Stainless too contains nickel and when used in jewelry, or children's jewelry it has a nickel content of upto 8 capable of triggering reactions in several people. Certain other metals too have reactionary properties in individual cases. If your children's jewelry turns out to be the probable culprit, you should immediately get medical help to study the situation and avoid those metals for your children.
Is Gold the best alternative for children's jewelry?
Well, gold again need not be the most ideal choice. 14 K gold for example represents 14 parts of gold out of a whole of 24 parts. The remainder is made up a variety of metals like silver, copper, zinc, nickel, tin, zinc, palladium or manganese. The components in the alloy will vary with their end uses. Pure gold being too soft for functionality, an alloy is essential to give it the shape and form desired. While 14K gold tends to trigger reactions gold in 18K and above is unlikely to do so, because the level of impurities will be much less.
What is the best option?
If you are planning to buy children's jewelry for children with known metal allergy, the best option for you would be niobium. Niobium is inert in nature and belongs to the precious metals family. However, for jewelry application, niobium can be sourced in different colors. Studies have shown that several people who are sensitive to other metals can comfortably tolerate niobium. Though it is difficult to qualify any one metal as exceptionally best for use in making earrings for sensitive ears, the following should hold well in a wide variety of instances.
• Niobium (inert and nickel free metal belonging to the precious metals family)
• Sterling silver (an alloy of silver and copper)
• Plastic ear wires, post covers and posts (polythene sleeves going over the ear ring posts to prevent the metal from touching the skin)
While sterling silver can be an ideal choice, the final selection can vary with individuals. Armed with this knowledge, you would now be able to shop more comfortably for children's jewelry.
Queen Bee Jewelry offers a fabulous selection of Childrens Jewelry and Sterling Silver.
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