Are Cheap Rings Bad for Your Skin? What You Should Know

Cheap rings may hit the sweet spot in your wallet, but is it actually good for your skin? No reason to ponder, let's get right into talking about it. Just like burgers in fast food places, cheap rings are commonly found in the jewellery market. Due to them being comparatively affordable and easier to buy, they make them more appealing to many fashion lovers, especially those who do not know what exactly to look for when buying gold rings. With the increasing demand for non-gold rings, the market has come forth with an equally satisfying supply to feast the eyes of eager jewellery lovers.

The real question is, besides being trendy and so common, do these inexpensive rings bring you more good than bad? When making fashion choices, it is equally important to be informed about your choices as it is to stay updated with the latest trends. To help you do the former, in this article, we will address the composition of cheap rings, the pros and cons of using them as daily wear, and safer alternatives you can use instead.

What Are Cheap Rings Made Of?

So you already know they are not made of gold because they are inexpensive. Then what are they made out of to end up looking so good? These rings are typically made out of more commonly found materials, therefore less valued than precious metals such as gold and silver. Some of those materials include affordable metals such as copper, aluminium, nickel and brass.

Yes, even the ones that look like gold rings are made of these metals. In order to give these rings an expensive appeal with a bit of extra sheen, they are also painted with a thin coat of silver or gold. This way, any cheap ring can look like a thousand bucks while costing you only a few. However, it is important to keep in mind that the thin coating of gold on these beautiful, inexpensive rings tends to wear off pretty quickly. So, if you are someone who is looking to purchase cheap rings for experimentation, keep in mind that their glittery and golden looks are not long-lasting at all.

The inclusions on these rings are also made from low-cost and non-rare materials. Don't be fooled by a diamond on a cheap ring; if it looks like a brightly shining diamond, it is most likely to be either Zirconia, which is a lab-created diamond mock or Moissanite, which is a naturally occurring silicon carbide that mimics the look of a diamond.

Why Cheap Rings Can Be Bad for Your Skin

Now that you know what these very affordable rings are made of, let's get into the heart of this article. How do cheap rings affect your skin? You might be thinking a ring you bought from a walking vendor at the beach may not be harmful, but the truth is, you can never be too careful as to what materials come in contact with your skin and how they can affect your skin health.

Cheap rings equal, well…cheap standards. This means that when an inexpensive ring is made, whoever is involved in the manufacturing and selling process does not have to follow standards that otherwise would be in place for high-quality gold rings to be considered market-grade. As a result, these rings can often be unsuitable for skin health, especially if you plan on wearing them for hours a day.

●       They can cause skin allergies and irritations

Contact dermatitis is, unfortunately, a commonly reported phenomenon when it comes to cheap rings. Since they are composed of materials that do not need to go under quality assessments, and unlike gold, the metals can be reactive towards skin. As a result, rashes or irritations can occur when you wear these kinds of rings. If you are someone who has sensitive skin, which reacts to a lot of things on a daily basis, these fake rings may be your worst skincare nightmare to deal with.

●       They can leave green or black stains on the skin

Ever worn a fake gold ring and come home to find out that you have a discolouration on your finger where you wore it? No, it is not from the ring being too tight; it is your skin being affected by the cheap ring. Copper, even though reddish-orange in nature, when mixed with sweat from your finger, creates what is commonly called "copper salt", which is green. This reaction can happen not just with sweat but also with the lotion you wear on your hands or even the slight moisture in the air, leaving ugly stains on your fingers.

●       They can result in bacterial build-up and infections

Let's be honest, how many would actually bother to clean these inexpensive rings as soon as they get home, before they wear them out? The truth is, with the notion that they cost a small amount comes the inaccurate impression that they do not need much cleaning or maintenance. As a result, many jewellery owners will put it on the back shelf of their mind to worry about the sanitary conditions of these rings when they purchase them. This can result in them causing infections due to germs and bacterial build-up, which is definitely an unwanted health scare that you might need to avoid.

How to Wear Cheap Rings Safely (If You Still Love Them)

Still haven't changed your mind after reading why cheap rings are really bad for your skin? That's okay, we understand how cute and trendy these gold ring doppelgangers are to the naked eye. So, if you still want to wear these, let's attempt to find a compromise, shall we? This is how you can wear cheap rings safely, if you still love them.

●       Use top coat nail polish as a protective shield

No, we don't mean hold it over the rings and cast a skin spell. You can use the clear nail polish you use as a top coat for your beautiful nails to minimise the reactions or irritations your skin experiences when it comes into contact with cheap rings. To ensure this, apply the clear nail polish over the ring's surface for full coverage and leave it to dry completely before wearing. For added layers of protection, you can apply two or three layers of nail polish- make sure each layer dries fully before you go over the previous one.

●       Take care of your fake rings regularly

Yes, they need a bit of cleaning and maintenance too! After a day out, wash them gently with lukewarm water and a little bit of dish soap to get rid of the buildup of dirt that can cause problems later and diminish their looks over time. Make sure you don't use abrasive tools, such as a toothbrush or a harsh cloth, to scrub the cheap rings, as they will cause damage to the exterior. Letting the inexpensive rings soak in water before cleaning is not recommended either, as it might loosen up the glue that holds up any inclusion like stones on the ring, causing them to detach later. After cleaning them, remember to dry them completely with a clean paper towel to get rid of all the moisture and store them in a dry space at room temperature.

Why Gold Rings Are Better Than Cheap Rings

Even with the alternatives above, you might not find your fix; the rings that give you the glow, the glam and more importantly, the longevity you seek. This is where 999 and 916 gold rings could save the day. With authentic high karat gold rings, your fashion sense might be expensive, but it will be well-preserved, timeless and meaningful for a long time. Let's compare cheap and 916/999 gold rings to see what each brings to the table, so you can decide which suits you better.

Skin-Safe Alternatives That Are Still Affordable

Here, we have some alternative options for you to try that give the affordability factor of cheap rings but also have the added benefit of being safe and healthy for your skin/ These non-allergenic metal rings can give you the fashion edge you are looking for while keeping skin infections away.

●       Stainless steel rings

●       Titanium rings

●       Platinum rings

●       Sterling Silver rings

●       Surgical-grade stainless steel

●       Gold-vermeil rings

●       Gold-filled rings

Final Thoughts on Cheap Rings as An Accessory

The rough idea of buying cheap rings and wearing them on a day out may sound fun, but at the end of the day, they can bring more cons than high-value precious metals like gold. While it is true that you can still wear inexpensive fake rings in the short term while following some protective strategies, your money and the effort are better invested in something as prestigious and long-lasting as high-quality gold rings.

Instead of paying little money to get a handful of fake rings that can cause skin allergies and be worn out in two weeks, why not make smart decisions and give your closet what it actually deserves: 916 and 999 mesmerising gold rings. Start shopping today with us at Starlight Jewellery - browse our diverse gold collection full of attractive pieces to see what pulls your heartstrings.