Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


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Help, green fingers from gold jewelry

I've been wearing my 9kt gold ring and necklace for the last 4 years and have started getting green markings around the finger and neckline wear the necklace and ring sit. At first I thought it was because they were dirty but an hour after getting them cleaned the green color came back . Is this an allergy or something else and if so why dose your body all of a sudden reject our jewelry. Any tips on how I can keep my ring and necklace on would be much grateful.

Carolynne Jess
homemaker - Hamilton, Northisland, New Zealand
2003

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First of two simultaneous responses --

Sudden discoloration of skin with jewelry that has been worn for years can be due to changes in body chemistry or the use of a new skin cream, cosmetic or soap. Hormone changes, medications or even high doses of vitamins can change the body chemistry or effect the pH of the perspiration. Low karat gold alloys (9k) would be more susceptible to tarnish or skin discoloration. You may want to take your jewelry to a reputable jeweler and have the 9 karat gold plated with a hard 14k plating. This may help prevent the greenish smudges of the skin.

Jim Sivertsen
gold refining & alloys - Alden, New York
2003

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Second of two simultaneous responses --

I'm far from an expert on the subject but...if you haven't had much discoloring in all these years and it just started up, it might be that your jewelry is just "gold filled" (like a plating but much thicker)and the gold finally wore off revealing the brass underneath(which will turn green very quickly).

Jason Aube
- Flint, Michigan
2003

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2004

Why would my gold chains -- 10k and purchased from reputable jewelers-leave a black ring, where they lay on material. This has always happened to me, even turning my ring finger black at times .Does not happen with white gold and what is solution?

Thank you

Anne Mckenna
artist - Harwichport, Massachusetts