wedding band-hand sanitizer q

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hello....

For those of you that wear wedding bands, especially if there are diamonds, do you have any problems with the hand sanitizer weakening the setting and losing stones and/or ruining the gold?

I read a couple threads on this, but that question was not answered (I do try to search for answers from past threads first!)

I have a small channel set band in white gold (perhaps white gold is the problem?) that I really never gave a second thought if I could or couldn't wear it in nursing school and then on the job. Because it's very flat it can't possibly scratch...but then I'm reading it can harbor fluids, blood, etc...but I thought that's why nurses wear gloves!

Are you really not wearing gloves as much when handling patients? Also I understand there may be a difference between the powdered gloves and the purple ones. I understand the ring can get gooped up with soap/moisturizer but that also isn't a huge concern as I soak mine everyday in a vinegar solution (a tip my chem prof gave me!) and he told me that dissolves all dirt, oils etc b/c of the polarity.

Sorry if this is a goofy question, but I'm really curious and I'd really like to wear at least my band as it's more than just the "symbol" for me, but if it's going to get ruined then I'd rather err on the side of caution and wear a plain gold one.

Can you tell I start nursing school in less than 3 mos and I'm just going nuts with the overwhelming reality that soon I am leaving my current job and embarking on this new journey? :eek: What am I thinking??? :D

Anyway I'm very analytical so I like to figure things out ahead of time even though when I plan, God usually laughs :rolleyes:

TIA

Michele

I have a white gold wedding ring with diamonds set in the front of the band. The gold part in the back is discolored and I get a bad rash underneath from washing my hands too much. I have to get it re-plated.

I wear a yellow gold eternity band ring with diamonique stones to work now. I got it on QVC, it's pretty, doesn't give me a rash and has not discolored.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

For more about nickel allergies (there's nickel in the WG alloy), rhodium plating, etc. see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_gold

Up Vote Up Vote ×

At our Nursing school, we were not allowed to wear any rings of any kind, so my engagement ring and wedding band stay at home. A few of the other girls put their bands on a necklace while on the clinical floor, so this way they still had it with them, but not on their hands. Besides it is a pain to put on sterile gloves with rings on.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
it was something I never learned until I entered nursing there is no true white gold it's a gold alloy that is rodium plated to keep it looking whiter. When the plating wears off it will not be as yellow as yellow gold. However it will not look the same and sometime the plating does not wear evenly and you'll have discolored spots.

Talk to a jewler or even look it up you'd be suprised and even though you may not have noticed put your rings next to something white gold that is new and they probably will be no where near the same color

Actually, all gold jewelry is a gold alloy, that's what the karat is (14 karat, 18 karat, etc). Gold is to soft to use in jewelry by itself.

The plating is interesting though....maybe it reacts with everyone's skin differently. I have white gold rings from the 80's that I wore regularly for over a decade that are the same color as a ring I bought last month. They're a little more banged up, but the same color.

I'll take the white gold, even if I do someday have to re-plate. I just don't like the yellow color.

Peace,

Cathie

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Peds, NICU, PICU, adult ICU.

That's why my rings are platinum... I like the color and I don't have to re-plate them ever

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Peds, NICU, PICU, adult ICU.

The plating thing is not a myth here is a web-site that explains it

http://24carat.co.uk/whitegoldturnsyellowframe.html

Up Vote Up Vote ×
That's why my rings are platinum... I like the color and I don't have to re-plate them ever

I'm a student, my pockets don't go deep enough for platinum :o

Re-plating (if it becomes necessary) has GOT to be cheaper

Peace,

Cathie

Up Vote Up Vote ×
The plating thing is not a myth here is a web-site that explains it

http://24carat.co.uk/whitegoldturnsyellowframe.html

Didn't say it was a myth....just said that mine hasn't changed color over the years.

Peace,

Cathie

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Peds, NICU, PICU, adult ICU.

I happen to be lucky and have a jeweler in the family (significant savings), Also I had white gold rings in the past and i always bannged them up to the pint the had to be re-shaped. Also Palladium is a true white metal cheaper than platinum and stronger than gold.

I wasn't trying to be rude with the myth thing. The first time someone told me she had to have her rings repladed I thought she was out of her gourd and that the ring must not have been "real" white gold. I was shocked, when I looked it up and found out that white gold is plated to look more white.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Didn't say it was a myth....just said that mine hasn't changed color over the years.

Well hang onto it, it's a good one. I had an antique 18k WG ring that had a gorgeous dark smoky cast to it like the sky before a thunderstorm. It quit fitting and wouldn't stand sizing, so I eBay'd it, but I'd sure like to find another like it. It too never changed color, and it was incredibly shiny.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You might want to check with your school, as the point will likely be moot: no schools in my area will allow a student to wear anything but a plain, un-engraved band (infection control cited as reason). You can either buy a cheap plain band, or leave the hands bare altogether.

I don't wear my wedding rings while I work BECAUSE I use the hand sanitizer so much. Although I wash frequently, I use the alcohol gook even more: every time I exit a room. I can't imagine it'd be good in the least for my rings if I DID wear them!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

I know I'm married, so the good stuff stays in the jewelry box instead of at work etc, and I have a $10 ring my sister bought but it was too small for her .

If I want that's what I'd wear. Too much infectious (and invisible) stuff to worry about bringing it home or festering it in my diamond rings. Most of the time I don't wear any rings unless it's a dress up occassion like church etc.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment