It is rare that a company will tell you what the alloyed metals are and for that reason it is risky to purchase gold earrings if you have sensitive ears.
Gold plated metal allergy.
Jewelry is often plated with silver or gold over metals like copper and brass in order to keep prices low.
Being allergic to other types of metal as well as having a family history.
Gold higher than 18k is too soft for body jewelry because it can easily be scratched or nicked.
Many people who believe that they are allergic to gold or silver jewellery are allergic to nickel which can occur as a trace element in gold or silver or has been used in the manufacture of gold jewellery to whiten and strengthen the piece.
Anything less than 24k gold is an alloy meaning that it is mixed with another metal.
Gold a variety of colors a variety of alloys many confuse gold jewelry to be a safe option when trying to avoid jewelry allergies.
However certain types of gold jewelry often contain other metals that can trigger a reaction.
If a good piece of jewelry that you wear daily such as a wedding ring causes a reaction ask a jeweler about having it plated in a less allergic metal such as platinum.