Materials & Skin-safety
Yes. Every rhokea design is crafted from implant-grade titanium (ASTM-F136 or ASTM-F67) as the core metal, the same material trusted in medical implants and applications. Each one is then finished with SkinPlating™ (a durable ceramic barrier topped with pure 24K gold or platinum) for comfort on sensitive skin and everyday wear.
Yes. rhokea is doctor-founded and designed for sensitive skin. Each piece is built from implant-grade titanium and finished with our two-layer SkinPlating™ technology: a durable ceramic barrier (titanium nitride or chromium nitride) topped with a pure 24K gold or platinum finish. All three materials are skin-safe and widely used in medical applications, which is why our jewellery is made for everyday comfort, even for sensitive skin.
SkinPlating™ is Rhokea’s proprietary coating system designed to make everyday wear comfortable on sensitive skin.
Each piece starts with implant grade titanium, then we apply a ceramic barrier layer and finish it with a precious metal top layer:
- Gold pieces: TiN ceramic barrier + pure 24K gold
- Silver pieces: CrN ceramic barrier + pure platinum
These materials are widely used in medical applications for their durability and biocompatibility. The result is a smooth, skin safe finish with no nickel, no cobalt, and no reactive base metals, made to handle daily life including showering, sweating, and sleeping.
No. rhokea jewellery is nickel-free and cobalt-free. We don’t use the reactive base metals commonly linked to irritation in jewellery, which is why rhokea is made for everyday, comfortable wear, including for sensitive skin.
Often, yes. The issue with “gold” and “silver” jewellery usually is not the gold or silver itself, it’s what they’re mixed with.
- Gold: Pure gold (24K) is generally well tolerated, but most gold jewellery is an alloy (9K, 14K, 18K) mixed with other metals to add strength. Those alloying metals can include nickel or other reactive metals that some people react to.
- Silver: Sterling silver is also an alloy (usually 92.5% silver plus other metals). It can tarnish over time and may leave dark marks or staining on skin, especially with water, sweat, lotions, or higher acidity skin.
That’s why we use implant grade titanium (ASTM F136 or ASTM F67) as the core metal, and finish each piece with pure 24K gold or pure platinum as the top layer (not an alloy). The result is a more stable, skin-safe set of materials designed for comfortable everyday wear.
It's very rare, but everyone's skin is different. Titanium is one of the most biocompatible metals available, which is why it's widely used in surgical and dental implants. If you have a known metal sensitivity or experience any irritation, remove the piece and speak with a healthcare professional. We offer a 30-day returns policy if it's not right for you.
Titanium is a lightweight, corrosion-resistant metal widely used in medical implants for its biocompatibility. Surgical steel is a stainless steel alloy. While it can be durable, most steels used in jewellery contain nickel, and some people can be sensitive to nickel release over time, especially with sweat and friction.
That’s why rhokea uses implant-grade titanium (ASTM F136) as the base metal, plus our SkinPlating™ finish for a smooth, skin-safe surface designed for everyday wear.
Green staining is usually caused by oxidation from metals like copper (common in fashion jewellery and some metal alloys), especially when mixed with sweat, moisture, or skincare products. rhokea pieces are made from implant-grade titanium and finished with SkinPlating™, so they won’t stain your skin green like copper-based metals can. If you ever notice discolouration on skin, it’s usually residue from skincare or soap and a gentle clean with mild soap and warm water should help.
rhokea is designed for everyday, 24/7 wear. Our pieces use implant-grade titanium and SkinPlating™, so they’re made to handle water and sweat without tarnishing like traditional silver.
Yes. We publish independent lab testing to help verify material composition and finish quality. You can view our latest material test reports on our site.
View our latest Material Test Reports (PDF).
rhokea is designed specifically for sensitive skin and is made without nickel, cobalt, or reactive base metals that commonly trigger irritation. That said, skin conditions vary a lot, and we can’t offer medical advice or guarantee suitability for every individual.
If your skin is highly reactive:
- consider wearing for short periods first to see how you feel
- avoid wearing over broken or irritated skin
- if you’re under medical care for a skin condition, it’s best to check with your clinician for personalised advice
"Implant-grade" refers to titanium made to strict material standards (like ASTM F136 and ASTM F67) that are commonly used in medical implants designed for long-term contact with the body. For jewellery, that matters because it's a highly biocompatible, corrosion-resistant metal with a very low risk of irritation compared with many common jewellery alloys.
Wear & Care
For day to day cleaning:
- Wipe with a soft, dry microfibre cloth.
For a deeper clean:
- Use warm water + a small drop of mild soap.
- Gently clean, rinse well, then pat dry with a soft cloth.
- Let it fully air-dry before putting it back in a pouch.
Avoid:
- Abrasive cloths, polishing compounds, toothpaste, baking soda
- Ultrasonic cleaners (especially if your piece has stones)
- Harsh cleaners like bleach or strong bathroom sprays
Titanium is extremely durable, but any precious metal finish can show wear in high-friction areas over time. To keep it looking its best:
- Store pieces separately in the Rhokea pouch (prevents scratching and metal-on-metal rubbing)
- Put jewellery on last (after skincare, perfume, sunscreen, hair products)
- Avoid contact with hard surfaces (stone countertops, gym equipment, tiles)
- Rinse with fresh water after sweating or swimming, then pat dry
You can, but here’s the sensible approach if you want the finish to look perfect long-term:
- Sea water: generally fine. Rinse with fresh water after and pat dry.
- Chlorine (pools): occasional wear is usually fine, but chlorine is harsh and can dull finishes over time. If you swim often, take it off when you can. If you keep it on, rinse after.
- Hot tubs: best to remove. Heat + chemicals + longer soak time is the toughest combo for any finished jewellery.
For pieces with gemstones such as pearls, lapis lazuli or malachite, remove before swimming. These stones are porous and can be sensitive to chlorine, salt water and chemicals."
Rhokea won’t tarnish like silver. Every piece is crafted from implant-grade titanium and finished with SkinPlating™, a durable ceramic barrier topped with pure 24K gold or platinum. Because titanium is highly resistant to corrosion, it doesn’t behave like traditional metals that tarnish over time, and it won’t turn your skin green or stain it.
The ceramic barrier is colour-matched to the finish above it, which helps with durability and colour consistency. With everyday wear, subtle lightening can happen in high-friction areas over time, which is normal for any precious metal finish. You can slow this down by avoiding harsh chemicals and heavy friction, and by storing pieces separately in their pouch.
Sizing & Fit
Each product page includes a sizing guide with measurements for that piece. If you're between sizes, it comes down to the look you prefer: a closer, hugging fit or a little more room. Your lobe shape and piercing placement can also affect how a piece sits, so check the guide for specific dimensions before ordering.
Post gauge refers to the thickness of the earring post. Our standard gauge is 1.0mm, which fits comfortably through most standard lobe piercings. We also offer 1.2mm posts, which are better suited to cartilage piercings where a slightly thicker post provides a more secure fit. The gauge is listed on each product page under specifications.
Discomfort is usually fit-related rather than a reaction to the material. Common causes include tightness from the closure, backing pressure, or piercing placement. If something doesn't feel right, stop wearing the piece and get in touch. We'll help you work out whether it's a sizing issue and recommend the best option for you.
Shipping, Returns & Warranty
For the most up-to-date shipping rates, delivery estimates, returns steps, and warranty terms, please refer to our Help Centre.
UK delivery
UK orders typically arrive in 2–4 working days. Free UK shipping over £70.
International delivery
We ship internationally. Delivery times and costs vary by destination. Please check the Help Centre for the latest estimates.
Returns
We offer 30-day returns. Start a return through our returns portal.
Warranty
Every rhokea order includes a 1-year warranty from delivery, covering manufacturing defects. Full terms are in our Help Centre.
Links
Help Centre: rhokea.gorgias.help/en-GB
Returns portal: returnsportal.shop/rhokea
