Hi there,

I have very sensitive ears and can only wear real gold in my ears. I wanted to know if it is possible to take artificial earrings to a jeweller and have them spray/polish the part that goes in the ear lobe with a coating of pure gold? Has this been done before? Do jewellers even do this type of thing? If so, does it work/help?

I'd really appreciate your insight as my wedding is coming up and I can't afford to buy a real gold set for ALL the events. I'm wearing a real gold set on the shaddi, but mehndi and valima I was hoping to wear silver or rhinestone or even kundan type of stuff. Worst comes to worst I'll have to fork out 3K for a white gold set for the valima. I'm hoping there is another way. Thanks!

I think you are are allergic to nickel and impurities in the artificial earings/jewelry. Look for "nickle-free" jewelry.

SIMPLY WHISPERS - Hypoallergenic nickel free Jewelry for Sensitive Skin

Some tips:

* Try putting clear nail polish on the posts (I mean on the part that goes through your ear) of those earrings that you know you're allergic to. I heard that that helps!

* Dip the pin/posts in neosporin before putting them on. You have to remember to take the earrings out every night.

* Titanium jewelry is also hypo-allergic as white metals are good for the ears and don't damage the skin.

Promise Rings, Titanium Rings, Titanium Jewelry, Wedding Rings

Titanium Rings, titanium earrings, titanium chains, titanium cufflinks, titanium bracelets by Intense Titanium

* Maggie's Creations: is an online company specializing in earrings for those who can't even wear the gentlest of metals without issues. The owner began to experience these issues herself about 10 years ago, and has since launched an entire line of earrings ranging from studs to fullblown chandelier earrings (as well as doing plenty of research on what causes this and how to remedy it). Her earrings come in two metals: niobium and titanium, both of which are surgical quality.

Home of Wear Earrings Again with Maggie's Creations - Non-Allergenic Jewerly, guaranteed!

If you are looking for desi wedding jewelry. Try looking at Art Karat. They say that their artificial jewelery is hypo allergic as it is free of impurities. They have awesome designs, I should add :

Art Karat : Welcome to Art Karat

Hope this helps.

candy_apple - if the silver stuff is rhodium plated, does it still irritate your ears?

oh wait.. if you can wear white gold you are probably ok with rhodium plating as all white gold is rhodium plated.
"In order to enhance the white gold a plating of Rhodium is applied. Rhodium is a brilliant white metal that is part of the platinum family and when applied to white gold it is this brilliant white colour that you see."

you can find a lot of silver jewllery that has been rhodium plated (keeps the shine and doesn't tarnish until it needs replating), so you can look for that, or get the silver set you like rhodium plated.