Skin contact and material safety
Earrings and bracelets are worn directly against skin, often for long periods. This makes material quality more important than for accessories that do not contact skin directly. The main concern is nickel — a common component of base metals used in low-cost jewelry that causes allergic reactions in a significant proportion of people. Symptoms include redness, itching and rash at the contact point.
Listing descriptions that state "316L stainless steel," "surgical steel," "titanium" or "925 silver" are making claims of nickel-safe materials. These claims cannot be verified from a photo. If you have known metal sensitivities, treat these claims as starting points for research rather than guarantees, and consider testing with a small piece first before wearing high-contact earrings for long periods.
Gold-plated base metal is the most common material in accessible jewelry listings. The plating itself is usually non-reactive, but if the plating wears through to the base metal at contact points — the earring post, the inside surface of a bangle — the exposed base metal may cause reactions. The quality of the plating is therefore a material safety question as much as an aesthetic one.
Earring posts and backs
The earring post — the piece that passes through the ear — is the highest-contact element in any earring. A post made from a reactive metal causes problems at the piercing itself, which is more sensitive than intact skin. Look for listings that specify the post material separately from the decorative element; the post may be a different material than the visible front.
Earring backs — butterflies, screw-backs, push-backs, leverbacks — hold the earring in place. Butterfly backs are the most common and should grip the post firmly without being so tight that they are uncomfortable to remove. In QC photos, check that the back is present and correctly positioned on the post.
Stud versus dangle earrings
Stud earrings are the simplest construction: a post attached to a decorative element, held with a back. Quality is assessed on the plating of the decorative face, the setting quality of any stones, and the straightness and material of the post. Dangle earrings have an additional mechanical element — the hook or post and loop — which must open and close cleanly without deforming. Request a photo of the hook open and closed in QC.
Bracelets: clasps and sizing
Bracelets are sized by circumference. Measure the widest part of your hand as you hold it flat — this is the minimum circumference the bracelet must pass over to be wearable. Add one to two centimetres for a comfortable fit and compare against the listed circumference. Bangles and cuffs that do not open are the most size-sensitive; chain bracelets with clasp closure are adjustable and more forgiving.
Clasp construction on chain bracelets follows the same logic as necklace clasps. A lobster clasp should operate with positive resistance. A toggle clasp should grip the T-bar without slipping. Check the clasp in QC photos: a close-up of the clasp open and closed is quick to request and immediately informative.
Charm bracelets and bead bracelets
Charm bracelets allow for customization and are available with a wide range of individual charm styles. The main quality check is the charm attachment mechanism — a charm that slides off the bracelet is both a loss and a choking hazard for children. In listings, check how charms are attached: threaded onto the chain, clipped with a jump ring or permanently attached. Jump ring attachment is the least secure; a properly closed and smooth jump ring is acceptable, but one that is slightly open in the listing photo will open further with use.