Náramek z vysoce kvalitní ocele s krystaly z kubické zirkonie bez niklu způsobil těžkou alergii - jak je to možné?

Nickel Allergy from a Stainless Steel Bracelet

We received the following inquiry: I bought a "steel bracelet" and within 8 hours I had blisters and swelling on my wrist – (classic symptoms of a nickel allergy – note from Katlas). I would like to know how I can defend myself and whether a metal analysis is necessary. I’m responding to your warnings about scams. May I ask how much it would cost to have a spectrometer analysis of the bracelet at your place?

Certification of a Defective Bracelet Allegedly Made of Stainless Steel

A full analysis without issuing a certificate, where we simply send you the spectrometer results, costs CZK 300 excluding VAT. If you would also like a certificate with the analysis, the total cost is CZK 600 excluding VAT. Each metal component must be analyzed separately, including the authenticity of the zirconia stones.

The Truth About Nickel Content in Stainless Steel

Even from the appearance of the bracelet, it can be estimated that it's surface-plated brass, not stainless steel – stainless steel is darker, and due to its hardness and poor malleability, glass stones or zirconia are almost never set into it. In contrast, brass is softer and more malleable and commonly used for such purposes. If this was truly high-quality jewelry-grade steel as the seller claims (likely type 304 or 316 stainless, both being chrome-nickel steels), then it always contains nickel between 5–10%. Claiming the product is nickel-free in the case of stainless steel is nonsense – it’s simply that stainless steel does not release nickel and binds it tightly within its structure.

However, if it’s brass containing nickel, it may indeed release it, which could explain the redness and irritation. The only likely truth in the product description is that it is water-resistant (since plated brass is as well) and that it has an adjustable size.

Click the video to learn about the health risks of nickel exposure!

What to Do When Buying Jewelry from Untrustworthy Foreign E-shops Posing as Czech

When it comes to protection and pursuing compensation, it gets complicated. Did you notice where the company that sold you the bracelet is based?

It’s a company registered in Slovenia. This means that you must report the issue to the Slovenian Trade Inspection Authority. You can also try contacting the seller directly to see if they’re willing to acknowledge the issue and compensate you. The unfortunate reality today is that most companies simply resell cheap jewelry from the Near or Far East (Turkey, Pakistan, Iraq, Iran, India, China, etc.), often via platforms like Amazon, Aliexpress, Alibaba, or eBay – making it almost impossible to trace the original scammer who falsified product details.

A fraudulent purchase from this e-shop was addressed by dTest in 2022, with a detailed analysis and legal advice on how to resolve the issue: https://www.vasestiznosti.cz/stiznost/61883/podvodny-portal-lovilion

Warning: Foreign Companies, Virtual Offices & Difficulty Seeking Justice

It’s entirely possible the end seller made up the story about the bracelet's composition – this sometimes happens. Because the seller likely targets customers across the EU and is registered in Slovenia, they may have safeguarded themselves by listing only a virtual office, where up to 100 companies can be registered at one address and no one from the firm is physically present. Such companies may not even accept mail and count on the fact that customers from the Czech Republic (or elsewhere) won’t be able to locate them personally. In such cases, seeking justice is extremely difficult.

That’s the risk of buying from foreign sellers. It’s better to buy from within the Czech Republic, or if buying abroad, only from reputable companies where complaints can actually be addressed. If you are purchasing from a foreign or unfamiliar e-shop posing as Czech, be sure to read customer reviews first. For example:

• Fraudulent Portal Lovilion
• Lovilion Zoe White Gold Necklace with Zirconia
• Warning About the Fraudulent E-shop Lovilion

What’s especially sad about this story is that the bracelet is marketed as a gift for a daughter. So, a mother buying it might unknowingly cause her daughter health problems.

And even a sentimental gift box with the following emotional message won’t help:

“Never forget that I love you. I hope you believe in yourself as much as I believe in you. When life tries to knock you down, this old lioness will always have your back. I can’t promise I’ll be here for the rest of your life, but I can promise to love you for the rest of mine. I’m proud to be your mom. With love, Mom.”

Thank you for buying your beads and jewelry components from sellers who can verify material composition, or – like Korálky Katlas – have their own XRF spectrometer to test metal jewelry components themselves.