allergy to stones?

[halfwaynowhere]

I know this probably sounds pretty stupid, but is it possible to be allergic to particular stones?

Yesterday I wore a necklace that had sections of turquoise beads. I developed a rash under one of those sections. The rest of my skin is fine, where the metal bits touched (and I'm sensitive to metal) and everything... And it only happened in one place, even though there were more than one sections of turquoise. I'm completely stumped, and this rash is no fun.

[SilverClaw]

I know this probably sounds pretty stupid, but is it possible to be allergic to particular stones?
It is not stupid, and yes I have heard of people having reactions to certain stones both physical and otherwise.

[lightdragon]

cheap silver can also leave a greenish tint around the area you wear it. so you can get a greenish black ring around your neck. after awhile it goes away if you stop wearing it. or in some cases the silver rubs off the jewerly.

anyone else have this problem?

[halfwaynowhere]

cheap silver can also leave a greenish tint around the area you wear it. so you can get a greenish black ring around your neck. after awhile it goes away if you stop wearing it. or in some cases the silver rubs off the jewerly.

anyone else have this problem?

I get that problem when I wear any quality of silver, so I tend to wear non-metal jewelry as much as possible.

This, however, is an itchy, bumpy rash. Completely different than any reaction to metal that I've had, where the skin turns dark, and then gets blistery and nasty if I keep the metal on long enough... and the affected area wasn't in contact with any metal from the necklace.

My mom seems to think that the rash is just a coincidence, that it was caused by something else entirely...

[brigidrose]

I think , I should go look it up , but turquoise has silver or cooper in it. That could be the problem, but to have it happen to just one stone, is odd. Well not really odd, things happen. :)

[Ruby Heart]

Hello,

The stones themselves may not have caused your allergic reaction but their quantity, heaviness, and the heat generated?

Elements within the turquoise might've given you a rash. Titanium in stones causes a few allergies to some people.

[SphinYote]

Also, whatever they might have used to polish them....Some stones are also given a surface treatment to protect color.

[lightdragon]

Hello,

The stones themselves may not have caused your allergic reaction but their quantity, heaviness, and the heat generated?

Elements within the turquoise might've given you a rash. Titanium in stones causes a few allergies to some people.


offhand titanium can be radioactive if heated to a certain temperature. not exactly something you want for cooking utensils.

[Toby Stimpson]

Yes, it is possible. It seems mostly towards certain metals... like my mum has a sensitivity to silver and brass. She can't wear much jewellary for long periods because she develops a rash. I think that it mostly has something to do with the metal being absorbed by the skin.

It could be possible there is something about the chemical compound of turquoise that your system is intolerant towards... or perhaps some kind of issue with the coating??

[SilverClaw]

cheap silver can also leave a greenish tint around the area you wear it. so you can get a greenish black ring around your neck. after awhile it goes away if you stop wearing it. or in some cases the silver rubs off the jewerly.

anyone else have this problem?
Ya I cannot usually wear silver or gold plated jewelry for that exact reason. And it is also the reason I no longer buy or make such jewlery.

[NefertSatSekhmet]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turquoise

Turquoise is a hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminium, so perhaps you reacted to the metal content? Perhaps one piece was different somehow, and that is why the rash was localised? Also the turquise could have been irradiated, dyed, or stabilised with resin, so you could have reacted to any of that as well.

[lightdragon]

Ya I cannot usually wear silver or gold plated jewelry for that exact reason. And it is also the reason I no longer buy or make such jewlery.
gold does not cause darkening of the skin. usually when an item is gold plated, the gold rubs off and what's under it will cause the discoloration or rash.

Ways to avoid discoloration

Switch to 18 karat gold. if you did not do so already
try to coat it with another metal or clear protective film where it touches your skin. have a jeweler do it. also use nail polish on the area that touches your skin.
also look for jewelry that is labeled hypo-allegenic


also there is gold that has other minerials added to it.

[)O( ~ Khara~ )O(]

My first thought was why this one stone when there were more. I think it may be that this one had been dyed for better matching an you just happened to have a necklace that has one dyed stone. It is very common when dealing with turquoise.

The next option is that this particular stone has higher mineral levels.... eh that one didn't work for me.

I'm sticking with a dyed stone....