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


-----

Yellow gold stains skin; white doesn't

I am 31 years old and most of my jewelry is 14k yellow gold. About 4 years ago all of my yellow gold jewelry has been turning my skin black, almost as if it were black powder on my hands because it washes off easily. Recently a friend of mine bought me a beautiful set of white gold jewelry. I have never worn white gold before and I fell in love with the set. I noticed after time that the white gold did not turn my skin black. Now when I purchase new jewelry I buy everything in white gold and I have it dipped in yellow gold. Can anyone explain why yellow and not white?

Caroline E. Giusti
Buyer - Derry, NH, USA
2007

---

Caroline,
Everyone's body chemistry is a little different. Some people are affected by alloys in white gold, usually nickel. Apparently, your body chemistry is not agreeable with the alloy(s) in 14k yellow gold. The alloy make-up most common is 4% silver, 31.2% copper, 6.3% zinc, with the balance being pure gold. Only a dermatologist can tell you which alloy or combination that causes you the problem. Hope you find the right choice in white gold.

Mark Baker
Process Engineer - Syracuse, New York
2007

---

Hi, Caroline. While a yellow gold ring would have the metals in it that Mark mentioned,the yellow gold plating is probably almost pure gold and would probably not have the metals in it that Mark mentioned. So your white gold ring with yellow gold plating is probably free of copper, zinc, and silver.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
June 23, 2008

---

July 6, 2010

Hello, I would love someone to tell me what the black stain is on my skin from 9 ct yellow bangles and bracelets.

My biggest problem is when I wash my hands they froth up a charcoal coloured soap and this gets on my cloths. I wear a lot of white and it gives a very bad stain that I cannot remove, not even with bleach. This also happens when my hands are wet and I shake my hands it stains anything it touches.

Looking forward to hearing from some one for help.

Sharyn Godden
love wearing gold bangles - Brisbane Qld Australia

---

July 23, 2010

What is this combination stain called that appears on the skin?

Is there a particular chemical or cleaning product that will remove it from clothes.

Sharyn Godden
- Brisbane, Qld, Australia