Inside Our Quality Process — Why Nickel-Free Jewellery Matters

At GlamBug, quality is not just a promise. It is a responsibility. For anyone who sells jewellery, one of the quietest quality questions is also one of the most important: does this piece contain nickel?

Updated October 2026 as a buyer's guide.

This guide explains what nickel does to some wearers, where it hides in jewellery, how to check a supplier's nickel-free claim, and what we do at GlamBug to check our own pieces.

Why nickel matters

Nickel is a common cause of contact allergy. In people who are sensitive to it, skin that touches a nickel-containing piece for long can become red, itchy and sore, sometimes with a rash or blisters, usually in the spot where the jewellery sits: the earlobe, the neck or the wrist. The reaction can build up over time, so a customer may wear a piece for weeks before it starts.

For a seller, that matters in plain business terms. A customer who reacts does not just stop wearing the piece. They return it, tell their friends and stop buying jewellery from you. Nickel-free is therefore a customer-comfort question and also a trust question.

This is general information, not medical advice. A customer with a persistent skin reaction should see a doctor.

Where nickel hides in jewellery

Nickel does not belong in good sterling silver, but it turns up in a few places:

• Base metals and cheap alloys. Costume jewellery is often made of mixed metals that contain nickel.
• Nickel silver. Despite the name, "nickel silver" (also called German silver) is an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc, and contains no silver at all.
• Plating over a base metal. If the base underneath is a nickel-containing alloy, the plating can wear and expose it.
• Small parts. Clasps, springs, earring posts and the wires and findings inside a piece are sometimes made of a different metal from the main body.

By contrast, 925 sterling silver is 92.5% silver mixed with 7.5% other metals, most often copper, and a nickel-free sterling alloy is entirely possible. Pieces plated with rhodium or gold over a sterling silver base are silver underneath.

Some countries regulate this. In the European Union, for example, rules limit how much nickel may be released from jewellery worn against the skin. Sellers who plan to export should keep that in mind when choosing suppliers.

How to check a supplier's nickel-free claim

"Nickel-free" is easy to print and hard to prove from a photo. These are the questions worth asking any supplier, including us:

1. What is the alloy? The answer should be specific, for example 925 sterling silver, with the other metals named.
2. How do you check for nickel? Ask what is tested, and how often.
3. Can I see a test result or a sample report? A supplier who tests will usually have something to show.
4. What about the clasps and findings? Ask whether the small parts are tested as well as the body of the piece.
5. Can I run my own spot test? Nickel spot-test kits are sold for this purpose and give a quick colour reaction on a sample. They are not a laboratory test, but they are a useful first check on a sample lot.
6. Order a small sample lot first, and test and wear it before committing to a large order.

Be wary of a supplier who only says "100% nickel-free" or "hypoallergenic" and cannot say how they know. Neither word is a guarantee: a piece can be nickel-free and still not suit every skin.

What we do at GlamBug

We supply 925 sterling silver jewellery, and nickel-free is the standard we work to. We test samples ourselves as part of our quality process. If you would like to know more about how, or want a sample to run your own check, ask us and we will explain.

You can see the pieces yourself before you order. A video call lets you look at finish, clasps and detail up close, and our supplier checklist shows what else to verify before you buy from anyone.

If a customer reacts to jewellery

• Suggest they stop wearing the piece and wash the area gently.
• Do not assume it was nickel. Reactions can also come from perfume, soap, sweat or a tight fit.
• If the reaction does not settle, advise them to see a doctor.
• Offer to look at the piece. If you buy from a supplier who tests, you can ask them what they know about it.

Keeping the jewellery clean and dry also helps. Our silver care guide explains how.

Frequently asked questions

Does 925 sterling silver contain nickel?
It does not need to. Sterling silver is 92.5% silver mixed with other metals, usually copper. A nickel-free alloy is possible, but it is worth asking the supplier about the exact composition and about the small parts.

What is nickel silver?
An alloy of copper, nickel and zinc that contains no silver. Despite the name, it is not sterling silver.

Is "hypoallergenic" a guarantee?
No. It is a marketing word without a fixed meaning. A piece can be nickel-free and still irritate someone for another reason.

How can I check a piece for nickel?
Ask the supplier how they test and for a result. You can also use a nickel spot-test kit on a sample, or have it tested professionally for a large order.

Talk to us

Read more about wholesale 925 silver jewellery, or message us on WhatsApp at +91 72079 01555, Monday to Saturday, 10am to 8pm, and ask how we test.