[Jewelry making - Article 00857] - [Orchid] She wore platinum and developed skin reaction

[Lizzieq]

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    Dear Friends, a lady came into the shop recently with concerns about
    dermatitis on her ring finger. The ring is 900 plat, not cobalt,
    likely 10% iridium. Her finger showed redness and some small raised
    areas where the ring contacted the finger. 

    What is this, she wanted to know! Platinum is inert and
    hypoallergenic, causing no skin irritation. We played Sherlock
    Holmes in going through all the usual things, such as cosmetics,
    lotions, changes in prescription medicines and other environmental
    factors. She is convinced nothing has changed and since she has
    sensitive skin she is careful about cleaning the ring often. I
    suspected the "holes" in the setting beside the channel sets might
    be holding some problem substance but she assured me she had
    examined all environmental concerns of which she was aware. 

    Platinum and skin problems? This just did not seem right. I told her
    we would refinish the ring, give it a good rhodium plate and see
    what happens from there. 

    After she left, a closer exam of the ring showed a shadow of a ring
    on the inside, where the peg for the crown was installed. Ok, this
    was likely a "semi-mount" ( a ring set with side stones awaiting the
    customer choice of center diamond) and the crown was likely soldered
    in with high karat white gold solder. The close proximity of the
    channel set side stones would eliminate using platinum solders for
    center crown installation after the side stones were set. 

    The best I can tell for now is that the skin reaction might be from
    the white gold solder used for crown installation. The ring has been
    refinished and given a good, solid rhodium plate. If the solder is
    the problem, this will work for a limited time to prevent skin
    irritation. 

    Have you run into skin problems with platinum rings? Any suggestions
    on how to solve this problem with solder possibly being the culprit?
    Note, I am not sure that the crown installation solder is the problem
    but it does look more likely after elimination of so many other
    possibilities. 

    Could laser work "cover" the peg area inside the ring, perhaps by
    recessing the spot a bit and using a platinum fill? I do not use a
    laser since our business cannot justify that expense. We do have
    access to laser at a local trade shop. 

    Anyone had such a problem? What was your solution? 

Thanks for any input.
Thomas. aka TomDart.

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