Choosing the right metal to use in your jewelry involves balancing a number of factors beyond gold vs. silver. Get the lowdown on all materials metal.

Discover effective solutions for jewelry-sensitive skin in this informative article.

Discover the world of hypoallergenic jewelry-making materials and explore other methods be a conscientious designer, safeguard your skin and preserve your fashion sense.

Q: I want to make my own ear wires. My "affordable" jewelry is made with sterling silver plated wire that has a clear tarnish resistant coating. Is this kind of wire "safe" to use as ear wires?

Q: Which wire is best for people who have allergies to nickel? Also, which wires hold up the best with wear and tear?

Q: I recently purchased a bead ring from a street vendor. The ring's band is made with a smooth silver wire with two loops, then a bead is attached using a thinner wire which is threaded through the ring's loops and twisted to secure. What kind and gauge of hypo-allergenic wire can be used to make a similar ring for my family and friends?

Q: Is titanium a good metal for someone with allergies?

Q: I am allergic to nickel, sterling silver and gold plating. I used to use brass barrel clasps, but I am now having problems finding clasps that are not gold-plated. Can you recommend something besides 10Kt gold? I purchased some findings from other companies that claimed they were ''hypoallergenic,'' but they weren't.

Q: I'm making a necklace with a pendant for a sister-in-law who has metal allergies. The pendant measures 3.5" long. I thought of making the necklace long enough to slip over the head so no metal findings would be used, but with the pendant so long, it would hang too low to look good. How would you finish a shorter necklace (16-17") without using metal findings?

Q: I was surfing through a tool catalog and saw some rust- and corrosion-resistant 20 gauge x 25 foot mechanics wire with a 40 lb. maximum load capacity. It is Zinc-plated steel wire. I suppose the best question is..is it usable for jewelry and, if so, what about allergies. Thanks so much for your help.

A silver-white metal popular for plating because it is malleable and resists oxidation. The most common of metal allergies.

A form of jewelry, usually decorative, worn around the wrist created from leather, fibers, plastics or metals. Bracelets can be embellished with stone, wood, shell or other materials. Some bracelets are used for medical or identification purposes (such as allergy bracelets).