If Alpaca SIlver is made from Copper, nickel and zinc and tin then is
it really possible to be Hypoallergenic as many on EBay claim? I
thought nickel was the thing that most people are allergic to.
Kathy Anane
La Bead, Oh
1500 S. 6th Street
Springfield, IL 62703
www.labeadoh.com
No, Alpacca is not hypoallergenic. Those sellers are setting
themselves up for trouble. An item so described could be reported to
PayPal as “Significantly Not as Described” (SNAD) - grounds for
PayPal to reverse a buyer’s payment. The listings could also be
reported as “Failure to accurately describe jewelry, precious metals,
or beads” - which should get the listings pulled.
Mona L. Swearingen
Bead*Happy’s Favorites
http://www.bead-happys-favorites.com
Dear Kathy,
Alpaca metal is just a kind of nickel-silver, and is not
hypo-allergenic. You are correct to surmise that in fact it has a
higher propensity for people to have allergic reactions. Nickel and
copper are the worst offenders for jewelery reactions.
I am wondering if some people are playing on the idea that alpaca
fiber, from the animal, is thought to be allergenic than wool. Many
people who cannot wear wool can wear alpaca.
Best wishes,
Lucy Ludwig
yes nickle is the culprit and no it is notanti -allergenic sadly
hypoallergenic is only a marketing term
There are no Federal standards or definitions that govern the use of
the term “hypoallergenic.” The term means whatever a particular
company wants it to mean. Manufacturers of cosmetics labeled as
hypoallergenic are not required to submit substantiation of their
hypoallergenicity claims to FDA.
Silver & Cameo Heritage Jewelry
www.corneliusspick.com
Alpaca - don’t believe all you read. Many claim that alpaca is also
non-tarnishing silver.
Nickle allergies are very frequent!
I seriously doubt it is hypoallergenic. I have seen people that
react to all the metals you list.
James Binnion
@James_Binnion
James Binnion Metal Arts
360-756-6550
Okay I think we can take it for granted that most people writing
sell sheets for ebay don’t actually know what does and does not
stipulate hypoallergenic. Buyer be extra aware in the land of the
private seller.
Mind you I’m cynical enough to believe it is a poorly devised word
and doesn’t actually have much meaning, and probably no legal
standing whatsoever.
To be utterly padantic if you break it down into it’s parts it would
indicate that whatever you are labeling is itself going to extremely
allergic to just about everything.
On a more realistic note if it made up of what you say then yes
anyone with metal problems will break out like fiends anywhere near
it.
My aren’t I punchy tonight.
Norah
If Alpaca SIlver is made from Copper, nickel and zinc and tin then is it really possible to be Hypoallergenic as many on EBay claim? I thought nickel was the thing that most people are allergic to.
A good rule of thumb. Don’t automatically believe what you read in
ebay ads. Alpaca is not hypoallergenic. While many sellers on ebay,
or elsewhere in the universe, may be knowledgeable and honest, it’s
also true that ebay, like any flea market also attracts a number of
people who either don’t know what the heck they’re talking about, or
who’ll say whatever they need to say in order to make a sale. Thus we
find lots of C.Z.s sold as synthetic diamond, green yag sold as
synthetic emerald (or just plain emerald), and who knows whatall
else. Buyer beware is the rule on ebay. Feedback ratings help, but
are not the final word either.
Peter