Cobalt chrome
On the label: Cobalt chrome · Metal
What it is
An alloy of cobalt and chromium used for men's bands: white, bright, harder than platinum, cannot be resized by most jewelers. Cobalt is a known skin sensitizer for a minority of people.
Metals: Solid metals: what the piece is made of all the way through. Purity is written as karat (gold) or parts per thousand (925 silver, 950 platinum).
Wikidata: Alloy of cobalt and chromium used in medical implants. Q5138700 →
In the research
13 PubMed papers mention it with jewelry, allergy, eyewear or UV; the three most recent:
- The James A. Rand Young Investigator's Award: "Nickel-Free" Oxinium Hypoallergenic Versus Standard Cobalt-Chrome-Containing Total Knee Arthroplasty: Is There a Difference in Synovi · The Journal of arthroplasty, 2026
- Microhardness and Chemical Composition of Different Metallic Brackets: An In Vitro Study · Dentistry journal, 2023
- Self-Reported Metal Allergy and Early Outcomes After Total Knee Arthroplasty · Orthopedics, 2019
A paper is a paper, not a verdict: titles are listed so you can read them, and a study on one fabric or one filter says little about the piece in your hand.
Other metals
Clasp & Lens describes materials from the public record and does not appraise, grade or test pieces; what a listing states is the supplier's statement. If a piece causes a rash, take it off; a reaction that spreads or blisters is a doctor's question, and sunglasses are no substitute for impact-rated eye protection where that is required.