Nickel, Fading and Green Skin: The Real Risks of Fake Jewellery

Beautiful at first glance, cheap jewellery bought from marketplaces can hide unpleasant surprises — from allergic reactions to rapid discolouration and even safety risks for children. Here’s what to watch for and how to choose safer alternatives.

What’s really in “fake” jewellery?

Many low-cost pieces sold as “gold-plated”, “fashion” or “costume” jewellery are built on base metals — think brass, copper, steel or inexpensive alloys — and then plated with a thin layer of gold-coloured metal. To strengthen or colour these alloys manufacturers commonly use metals such as nickel, cobalt and chromium.

These metals can help a piece look like the real thing at low cost, but they also bring health and longevity problems that are often hidden behind glossy product photos.

Health risks: allergies and irritation

Nickel allergy is one of the most common contact allergies worldwide. Exposure to nickel — even in small amounts from jewellery — can produce:

• Redness and itchy rashes (contact dermatitis)
• Blisters and dry cracked skin in severe cases
• Long-term sensitisation, meaning reactions get worse with repeated exposure

Cobalt and chromium are also known to trigger allergic reactions in sensitive people. Even if a piece looks fine when you first wear it, repeated contact with these metals can cause persistent irritation and discomfort.

Why the risks are higher with children

Important: Children are more vulnerable to the risks posed by cheap jewellery. Their skin is often more sensitive, and small items present additional hazards such as choking or ingestion. Kids also tend to wear jewellery for longer periods without care, and they may frequently touch, bite or lick pieces — increasing chemical exposure. Always avoid giving inexpensive, unregulated jewellery to young children.

Because children’s immune systems and skin barriers are still developing, a metal that causes no reaction in an adult can still provoke irritation in a child. If a child develops a rash near the ears, neck or wrists, remove the jewellery immediately and consult a healthcare professional.

Aesthetic problems: fading, tarnish and ‘green’ skin

Cheap plating wears away quickly. Moisture, sweat, perfumes and everyday abrasion accelerate the loss of plating and expose the underlying base metal. Common outcomes include:

• Fading — the piece loses its original colour and shine
• Tarnishing — dulling or darkening caused by oxidation
• Green or black skin stains — a reaction between base metals (often copper) and skin acids that leaves discolouration

These aesthetic issues are not just unsightly — they’re a sign the metal is reacting and may be irritating your skin.

Environmental & ethical concerns

Many ultra-cheap pieces are produced in unregulated supply chains with limited oversight over metal composition, worker safety or environmental controls. Buying mass-produced, low-cost jewellery can inadvertently support poor labour practices and environmentally harmful production methods.

Safer alternatives: gold and platinum 

For those with sensitive skin or anyone who wants lasting quality, precious metals are a safer bet. A few important points to note:

Note: While platinum and higher-karat gold are generally well tolerated, people with severe metal allergies should still check the exact alloy composition. At Ahimsa London ALL our gold is Nickel Free 

Conclusion & what to do next

Cheap jewellery bought from marketplaces may look attractive at first, but the hidden costs — skin irritation, fading, staining, and potential safety problems for children — can far outweigh the initial saving. If you or a loved one has sensitive skin, or you want pieces that last, choose reputable jewellers who publish metal compositions, source ethically, and offer gold and platinum options.

At Ahimsa London we offer affordable options in gold and platinum and use lab-grown diamonds to ensure ethical sourcing and long-lasting quality. We also provide clear metal composition guidance so you can choose hypoallergenic pieces with confidence.

If you have a known metal allergy, consider consulting a dermatologist for testing and advice. This article is for general information and not a substitute for medical guidance.