DIAMONDS! What else?

Did you know that consumers between 50 and 64 years old have purchased more than 8 million pieces of diamond jewelry worth $6.6 billion—12 percent more than the 18- to 49-year-old segment. That’s according to recent statistics gathered by the Diamond Promotion Service.

I’ve never actually thought about the total cost of the diamond jewelry I own because most of it came in the form of gifts from old boyfriends, an ex-husband and parents.

U.S. residents over the age of 50 control 75 percent of the country’s assets and between 2000 and 2020, the 55- to 74-year-old segment of the population is projected to increase by 74 percent. I guess that means the diamond business will be like the funeral business for us boomers.

Another interest fact is that 39 percent of married boomers and 61 percent of single boomers say do not feel guilty about buying themselves diamond jewelry.

I’m curious what the other 61 percent has to say.

Unexplained skin irritations, itchy rashes—it happens to millions of Americans and many say they have no idea what causes the breakouts. According to experts jewelry allergies are not only extremely common, but very simple to prevent.

“We see it quite frequently,” says Lisa Garner, M.D., dermatologist on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Garland. “Some patients come in and actually realize what’s going on and others do not have any idea what’s causing their rash.”

For millions of Americans the problem is nickel.

“The most common metal to be allergic to is nickel and any metal that looks silver-ish in color has nickel in it to some degree,” explains Dr. Garner.

Getting diagnosed is the first step to stopping the breakouts, but treating them is not so simple.

“The only real treatment for an allergy like this is to avoid contact with items like this,” adds Dr. Garner.

Sounds easy, but nickel can be found in practically anything metal. Dermatologists say a big help are test kits that can be used to detect nickel in items you’re considering wearing.

“You could test the fasteners on your jeans, the metal belt buckles on your belts, etc.,” says Dr. Garner.

Determining whether or not your rashes or irritations are the result of an allergy to nickel is pretty simple. If it is something you’re wearing that’s causing you to break out, simply not wearing it should cause it to go away quickly and not return. Also, your dermatologist can give you a patch test to double-check.

Are these allergies more common in certain people? It is more common in women and most common in women who have their ears pierced.