After a devastating accident involving an MRI machine, a medical imaging technician took to TikTok to explain why most necklaces and other jewelry won’t trigger a reaction like that—unless they’re made of the wrong kind of metal.
The explanation comes right after the news that Keith McAllister, 61, died after an incident at Nassau Open MRI in Westbury, Long Island.
According to police and local media, Keith had accompanied his wife, Adrienne Jones-McAllister, to her appointment on July 16. Adrienne told News 12 Long Island that she asked the tech if Keith could come in the room to help her off the table. She said he was permitted in the room, still wearing a heavy weightlifting chain around his neck.
The machine’s magnetic force pulled the chain toward the scanner with enough force to fatally injure him. Keith tragically passed away the following day.
MRI Tech Explains Which Jewelry Is Actually Dangerous
The story stunned the internet. Many didn’t realize just how dangerous certain metals can be near MRI machines. That confusion led TikToker and MRI tech Nicole (@nicolethemritech) to clarify an important fact.
“No, your necklace will not pull you against the MRI magnet…” she wrote in the on-screen text.
She then shows the two necklaces she’s wearing and walks toward an MRI machine, getting closer to the magnet to show that they aren’t pulled toward it.
“Silver & gold jewelry won’t pull in an MRI — they’re not ferromagnetic,” she explained in the caption. “But a bike chain? That’s a different story.”
While McAllister was wearing a weight chain, not a literal bike chain, the materials are often the same—steel, which is ferromagnetic and highly reactive to MRI magnets.
So Is Her Claim True?
Yes. Metals commonly used to make jewelry, such as gold, silver, and platinum, are not ferromagnetic. That means they won’t be attracted to the MRI magnet in the same way steel or iron would.
However, technologists still ask you to remove all jewelry beforehand, as it could potentially mess up the scan or slightly warm up and hurt your skin.
Here’s How An MRI Actually Works
MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of your body.
There’s no radiation involved, but the magnetic field is extremely powerful. It’s strong enough to turn some metal objects into dangerous projectiles.
Anything ferromagnetic, like steel scissors, oxygen tanks, or even tools, can be pulled toward the machine at high speed. That’s why MRI rooms are so tightly controlled and why patients go through screening before even getting close.
Commenters Were Stunned By The Story
The video prompted an emotional response from TikTok users. Many of them were just learning about McAllister’s death for the first time.
“So he had a bike chain around his neck? Just why?” one person asked. “So many ways this whole tragedy could’ve been avoided.”
Another shared, “I once left a bobby pin in my hair and it ripped a chunk of hair out into the MRI machine.”
A healthcare worker wrote, “Our surgical MRI suites have ferromagnetic detectors and unless it flashes green or clears you… that door will not open for you. Very thankful for that because it’s honestly so easy to forget in our field, especially when we’re used to rushing around.”
“As a paranoid person I would remove absolutely EVERYTHING before entering—even if the doctor said it’s okay,” stated a fourth.
@nicolethemritech Silver & gold jewelry won’t pull in an MRI — they’re not ferromagnetic. But a bike chain? That’s a different story 😔🧲#MRItech #MRIsafety #radiology #mritech #radtok #healthcare #healthcareworker
BroBible has reached out to Nicole via a TikTok comment.