Will My Jewelry Discolor My Skin?
In our previous blog, Solid gold vs. Gold fill jewelry, we covered the difference between gold plated, gold fill, and solid gold jewelry. In this blog, we will cover another common question we get from our customers - “Will gold filled jewelry discolor my skin?” While gold plated jewelry can do this after just a few wears, gold fill and solid gold jewelry shouldn’t. However, there are some factors that could lead to your jewelry leaving marks on your skin, and no, it isn’t because of “cheap quality metal”. But not to worry! There are also plenty of ways to resolve this problem if it may arise with your jewelry. It is very rare that gold fill jewelry leaves your skin discolored and extremely rare that solid gold jewelry will, but it does occasionally happen.
WHY IS MY JEWELRY LEAVING A MARK ON MY SKIN?
Chemical Reaction
The cause of skin discoloration while wearing jewelry is due to a chemical reaction. Different chemicals can sometimes react to the other metals in your ring, causing the metals to oxidize, leaving the residue of that chemical reaction behind on your skin. While it is rare that this happens with 14k gold filled jewelry and even more rare that this might happen with 14k solid gold jewelry, it can happen.
Never Removing Your Jewelry
Wearing your ring while cleaning, swimming, doing dishes or while wearing lotions, tanners, or sunscreens can cause a chemical reaction. Harsh chemicals tend to speed up this process, but even more gentle cleaners like hand soaps and some natural lotions can cause a chemical reaction.
Body Chemistry
Every person’s body make up is different! We are all unique! Between sweat, which is made up of fatty acids and salt, and hormones, which can fluctuate frequently, some people’s body chemistry can cause a reaction to gold jewelry, leaving discoloration where the jewelry came in contact with the skin. If you have noticed this reaction with wearing gold filled or even 14K solid gold jewelry before, silver or white gold may be a better option for you!
Environment
Living in a humid area, especially near the ocean with salt in the air, can cause moisture and/or salt to get between your skin and your jewelry. This alone can create a chemical reaction leading to discoloration of the skin where it came in contact with your jewelry.
HOW CAN I PREVENT MY SKIN FROM DISCOLORING (IF THIS BECOMES AN ISSUE FOR YOU)?
There are many things you can do to help keep your ring from corroding, causing discoloration of your skin.
Follow the care instructions/know when to remove your ring(s)/jewelry
Wearing your rings while washing your hands, doing the dishes, swimming, bathing/showering, exercising, etc. can cause a chemical reaction with the metal. Remove your ring(s) prior to these activities, make sure to wash your hands to remove any residue, and allow them dry completely or allow lotions to completely absorb before you put your ring back on. This can prevent discoloration. (This is also important for the care and longevity of the stone itself.)
Create a barrier
You can use a jewelry lacquer (HERE is an inexpensive one from Amazon) or even apply a thin layer of clear nail polish to the inside band of your ring. This provides a barrier between the jewelry and your skin, preventing a chemical reaction, keeping your skin free from discoloration. (Reapplication may be necessary with use.) Please be careful to avoid the stone!
Use body powder
If you live in a humid area, you’re someone who may sweat more than others, or just outside a lot in summer, using an absorbent body powder can help keep your skin dry. You can apply some super fine (free of abrasives) body powder to your hands/skin prior to wearing your rings. Reapply as often as needed.
Choose solid gold
While the majority of our customers do not experience any issues with our 14k gold fill jewelry discoloring their skin, if you are someone who has had issues with gold filled jewelry turning your skin black or green, our solid gold options may be the better choice for you.
Choose silver or white gold
If you have experienced skin discoloration when wearing gold filled jewelry or solid gold before, silver or white gold are great options for you! All of our silver pieces are .925 sterling silver and are made up of 92.5% silver and the remaining consists of mostly copper. Due to the fact that white gold is often rhodium or palladium plated to give it that “white” look, this plating can act as a barrier to prevent skin discolorations. Typically, 14K white gold has nickel content, so please be aware of this if you are looking at the white gold option.
Clean your rings
Dirt and grim, sweat and chemicals get caught in our jewelry all the time, especially on our hands. Making sure you clean your jewelry regularly using the polishing cloth that was included with your order and using a jewelry cleaner or tarnish remover over the metal portion of the ring (we recommend using a cotton swab and avoiding the stone) can not only keep your jewelry from discoloring your skin, but it will make it shine like the first day you wore it!
Choose a necklace or earrings instead
If you know you want to wear your jewelry daily and will have a difficult time remembering to remove your ring(s) for hand washing and doing dishes, you may want to select a necklace or earrings to wear instead!