Hypoallergenic Rings Explained

Safe, comfortable, nickel-free wedding bands for sensitive skin

Metal allergies affect up to 17% of women and 3% of men—and the symptoms can transform what should be a symbol of love into a source of daily discomfort. If you've ever experienced redness, itching, or irritation from jewellery, you understand why choosing a truly hypoallergenic wedding ring is essential.

At Foundoria, every tungsten ring is hypoallergenic by design—crafted from nickel-free tungsten carbide that's safe for even the most sensitive skin. This isn't a coating or treatment that can wear away—it's the fundamental composition of the metal itself.

What Does Hypoallergenic Mean?

In jewellery, "hypoallergenic" means the material is unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. However, this term isn't regulated—any manufacturer can claim their products are hypoallergenic. What matters is the actual metal composition, specifically the absence of common allergens like nickel, cobalt, and chromium.

True hypoallergenic rings contain zero nickel and minimal (or no) other allergens. The metal composition is pure enough that your skin can remain in constant contact without irritation, inflammation, or allergic response.

Common Signs of Metal Allergy

Metal allergy symptoms typically appear where jewellery contacts skin—in the case of rings, around your finger. Watch for these signs:

Symptoms usually appear within 12-48 hours of initial contact, though some people develop sensitivity over time after years of wearing problematic metals. This is called contact dermatitis—a type IV hypersensitivity reaction.

Safe vs Risky: Metal Allergy Guide

Why Tungsten Carbide is Hypoallergenic

Tungsten carbide is a compound of tungsten and carbon—two elements that rarely cause allergic reactions. However, not all tungsten rings are hypoallergenic. Lower-quality tungsten rings may use cobalt as a binding agent, which can trigger allergies in sensitive individuals.

All Foundoria tungsten rings use nickel-free tungsten carbide with a nickel binder. This formulation is:

What About Natural Inlays?

Our rings feature natural materials like deer antler, whiskey barrel wood, and meteorite. These materials are positioned on the ring's exterior—your skin contacts only the hypoallergenic tungsten carbide interior with our comfort-fit design.

The natural inlays are sealed and protected, but even if they weren't, materials like antler and wood rarely cause allergic reactions. Meteorite contains iron-nickel, but it's sealed and doesn't contact skin directly.

REACH & GPSR Compliance: Safety You Can Trust

At Foundoria, safety isn't just a promise—it's certified. Every tungsten ring we produce meets stringent REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) and GPSR (General Product Safety Regulation) standards—the most comprehensive product safety regulations in Europe.

REACH Regulation Compliance

The REACH regulation (EC 1907/2006) is the EU's framework for managing chemical safety. For jewellery, REACH sets strict limits on nickel release—the amount of nickel that can migrate from metal to skin during wear.

REACH requires that products intended for prolonged skin contact (like rings) release no more than 0.5 micrograms of nickel per square centimetre per week. Our nickel-free tungsten carbide releases zero nickel—not just under the limit, but completely absent.

This regulation exists specifically because of the prevalence of nickel allergies. By choosing REACH-compliant jewellery, you're protected by law, not just marketing claims.

GPSR Product Safety Standards

The General Product Safety Regulation (EU 2023/988) ensures products sold in the EU/UK meet rigorous safety requirements throughout their lifecycle. For Foundoria, this means:

• Material Safety: All components tested for harmful substances
• Manufacturing Standards: Consistent quality control and documentation
• Traceability: Every ring tracked from raw material to finished product
• Consumer Information: Clear labelling and safety documentation
• Post-Market Monitoring: Ongoing safety assessment and customer feedback

These aren't optional standards—they're legal requirements for selling jewellery in the UK and EU. Our compliance demonstrates our commitment to your safety and well-being.

Why This Matters

Many online jewellery retailers—especially those operating from outside the EU—don't comply with REACH or GPSR. They may claim their products are "hypoallergenic" or "nickel-free" without independent verification. If you develop an allergic reaction, you have no legal recourse.

When you choose Foundoria, you're protected by:

• Verified composition: Laboratory-tested nickel content (zero)
• Legal accountability: We're legally responsible for safety compliance
• UK/EU standards: Products meet the world's strictest safety regulations
• Documentation: We maintain conformity certificates for all materials

This is particularly important for tungsten rings because lower-quality tungsten often contains cobalt or nickel binders that aren't disclosed. REACH compliance requires full disclosure and testing—protecting you from hidden allergens.

Comparing Wedding Ring Materials

Material	Hypoallergenic?	Nickel Content	Notes
Tungsten Carbide (nickel-free)	✓ Yes	0%	Best choice for metal allergies. REACH & GPSR certified.
Titanium	✓ Yes	0%	Medical-grade, very lightweight
Platinum	✓ Yes	0%	95-98% pure, expensive
24K Gold	✓ Yes	0%	Pure gold, very soft
18K Gold	⚠ Maybe	Varies	25% alloy - check composition
14K Gold	⚠ Risky	Often high	42% alloy - likely contains nickel
White Gold	✗ No	Usually high	Often 10-20% nickel for whitening
Sterling Silver	⚠ Risky	Low-moderate	7.5% copper, can oxidize
Stainless Steel	⚠ Depends	8-12%	316L surgical steel is safer

The Foundoria Hypoallergenic Promise

Every ring in our CERVUS, WELDWOOD, and CELESTIUM collections is crafted from the same medical-grade, nickel-free tungsten carbide. Whether you choose Antleris with deer antler, Ascent with whiskey barrel wood, or Astra with genuine meteorite—you're getting the same hypoallergenic foundation.

Our commitment to your safety includes:

• REACH Compliance: Verified zero nickel release, meeting EU chemical safety standards
• GPSR Certification: Full product safety compliance with EU regulations
• Medical-Grade Materials: Biocompatible tungsten carbide used in surgical instruments
• Third-Party Testing: Independent laboratory verification of composition
• Complete Traceability: Documented supply chain from raw material to finished ring
• Lifetime Warranty: If your ring causes any reaction, full replacement or refund—guaranteed

We back this with our Lifetime Warranty. If your ring causes any allergic reaction (which has never happened with our nickel-free tungsten), we'll replace it with an alternative material or provide a full refund—no questions asked.

Caring for Hypoallergenic Rings

Even hypoallergenic rings need proper care to maintain their safety:

Weekly: Wipe with a soft, dry cloth to remove skin oils, dirt, and build-up that can trap moisture against skin.

Monthly: Wash with warm water and mild soap, rinse thoroughly, and dry completely. Trapped soap residue can cause irritation even on hypoallergenic metals.

Never use: Harsh chemicals, bleach, or abrasive cleaners that could damage protective seals on natural inlays.

For complete care instructions specific to your ring's materials, see our comprehensive ring care guide.

When to Remove Your Ring

Even with hypoallergenic metals, moisture build-up can cause irritation (not from the metal, but from trapped water and bacteria). Remove your ring before:

• Swimming (especially chlorinated pools)
• Showering or bathing for extended periods
• Heavy sweating/exercise
• Applying lotions or creams
• Sleeping (allows skin to breathe)

Use your complimentary ENDURA™ silicone ring (included with every Foundoria ring) during these activities—it's also hypoallergenic and designed for active wear.

Testing for Metal Allergies

If you suspect you have a metal allergy but aren't sure which metals trigger reactions:

Patch Testing: A dermatologist can perform patch testing where small amounts of different metals are applied to your skin for 48 hours. This identifies exactly which metals you're allergic to.

At-Home Test: Before committing to an expensive ring, wear a small sample of the metal (like a cheap ring in the same material) for several days. Watch for redness, itching, or irritation.

Family History: Metal allergies often run in families. If parents or siblings have nickel allergies, there's a higher chance you might too.

Already Have a Metal Allergy?

If you've been diagnosed with nickel allergy or have experienced reactions to jewellery in the past, choosing nickel-free tungsten carbide eliminates the risk entirely. You don't need to compromise on style or durability—our rings offer the same exceptional scratch resistance and lasting beauty as any premium wedding band, with zero allergy risk.

Why Hypoallergenic Matters for Wedding Rings

You'll wear your wedding ring every day, likely for decades. Unlike earrings or necklaces you might remove regularly, a wedding ring maintains nearly constant skin contact. This makes choosing hypoallergenic materials essential—not optional.

Allergic reactions don't always appear immediately. You might develop sensitivity after months or years of wearing a problematic metal. This is why starting with truly hypoallergenic materials from day one is the smart choice, even if you've never had reactions before.

Beyond avoiding discomfort, hypoallergenic rings allow you to focus on what your ring symbolizes—commitment, love, partnership—rather than on itching, irritation, or wondering if you need to remove it.

Beyond Nickel: Other Considerations

While nickel is the primary concern, some people react to:

Cobalt: Used in some tungsten rings and cobalt-chromium alloys. All Foundoria rings are cobalt-free.

Copper: Found in rose gold, sterling silver, and lower-karat gold alloys. Can cause green staining even without true allergy.

Chromium: Present in stainless steel and some white gold alloys. Less common allergen than nickel.

Our nickel-free tungsten carbide formulation avoids all these common allergens, making Foundoria rings safe for virtually everyone, including those with multiple metal sensitivities.