Nickel-safe products

About nickel & nickel allergy 💍

Nickel is a metal used in many different products in society – everything from jewelry and watches to buttons, belts, and zippers. For some people, nickel can cause contact allergy, which can lead to redness, itching, and eczema where the jewelry touches the skin.

All our products are nickel-safe according to EU regulations. We do not purchase any products that do not meet the EU limit values for nickel release, and we conduct continuous tests on everything we purchase to ensure compliance.

Nickel-safe – what does that mean? ✅

Almost all metals contain some small amount of nickel, and therefore the term nickel-free is often inaccurate (except for certain noble metals). Instead, according to EU regulations, the term used is nickel-safe – meaning that the amount of nickel released from the metal is below the permitted limit value.

Our jewelry and jewelry components are:

🧪 Manufactured according to current EU regulations for nickel release.
🔍 Randomly checked by us to ensure compliance.
📋 Declared as nickel-safe by our suppliers.

When is it extra important to consider nickel? ⚠️

If you are sensitive or already have a nickel allergy, it is good to be extra careful:

Avoid jewelry that lies close and long against the skin in already irritated areas.
Remove jewelry when showering, exercising, or swimming – moisture can increase the risk of irritation.
Be aware of early signs such as itching or redness and remove the jewelry immediately if you react.

Please note that EU regulations primarily apply to accessories used in direct contact with the skin. Examples of products not covered in the same way by the regulations are, for example, keyrings, mobile phone charms, and decorations hung on bags or similar – these are usually not intended to be against the skin for extended periods.

Nickel tests – test yourself at home 🧪

If you want to check a piece of jewelry or a metal product yourself, nickel tests are available for purchase, e.g., Chemo Nickel Test at pharmacies. With such a test, you can see if an item releases nickel that could pose a risk to sensitive individuals.

What do we do at Hilmas Pyssel? 💎

All jewelry and jewelry components we purchase must, according to the supplier, be:

✅ Nickel-safe
🚫 Free from lead and cadmium according to current regulations

In addition to the suppliers' own certificates, we conduct random checks on the assortment. This way, we can better ensure that the products you purchase from us meet the strict requirements within the EU.

About lead in jewelry ⚖️

Lead is a heavy metal that is very harmful to both humans and the environment. Therefore, there are strict regulations within the EU on how lead may be used, especially in products such as jewelry.

The ban applies to jewelry and jewelry components placed on the market for the first time on or after October 9, 2013. It does not apply to jewelry and jewelry components manufactured before December 10, 1961.

Lead is now banned in jewelry and jewelry components within the EU if the content is 0.05 weight percent or more. However, for the following materials, there are certain exceptions to the limit value:

💎 Precious stones
💠 Semi-precious stones
✨ Crystal glass
🎨 Enamel

We have very strict requirements for our suppliers regarding lead and cadmium. Currently, there is no simple consumer test for lead equivalent to nickel tests, but we are closely monitoring developments and hope that such tests will soon become more readily available for self-testing.

How to shop safely 🛡️

Preferably shop from companies that clearly state that their products comply with EU regulations for nickel, lead, and other heavy metals.
Be careful with jewelry components and jewelry from private individuals or from stores that cannot guarantee that the products meet the requirements.
Remember that reputable, registered companies are subject to supervision by authorities and can be controlled by, for example, the Swedish Chemicals Agency.

At our store, we always strive to offer materials that are as safe as possible to use in your jewelry and craft projects, without compromising on creativity ✨.