WHY DOES GOLD DISCOLOR FINGERS?
By Randy Welch, Research and Development

You may think that faulty manufacturing or underkarating might
be the problem when a ring “turns,” blackening or discoloring either the
skin and clothing, or the jewelry itself. However, that is not the case.
Please understand the causes and how to prevent them.

The most common reason is metallic abrasion, caused by makeup on skin or
clothing. Cosmetics often contain compounds harder than the jewelry itself,
which wear or rub off very tiny particles. Very finely divided metal always
appears black rather than metallic, so it looks like a jet-black dust. When
this dust comes into contact with absorbent surfaces such as skin or
clothing, it sticks, forming a black, smudge.

To prevent this, you should try switching cosmetics. If this is
not possible, its recommend that you remove rings and other jewelry while
applying them, and clean skin areas in contact with jewelry with soap and water.

Another cause is actual corrosion of the metals, Gold itself does not
corrode, but its primary base-metal alloys of silver or copper will do
so—forming very dark chemical compounds,—under moist or wet conditions.

When you perspire, fats and fatty acids released can cause
corrosion of 14-karat gold, especially when exposed to warmth and air. This
problem can be worse in seacoast and semitropical areas, where chlorides
combine with perspiration to form a corrosive element that discolors skin.
Smog fumes gradually attack jewelry and are evident as tarnish that rubs off
on the skin.


Its suggested that you remove jewelry often and use an absorbent powder,
free of abrasives, on skin that comes into contact with jewelry.

Even the design of jewelry can be an influence. Wide shanks have more
surface area to contact abrasives or corrosives. Concave surfaces inside a
shank form collection points that trap moisture and contaminants, also
causing a type of dermatitus.

Remove all rings before using soaps, cleaning compounds or
detergents, and clean your rings frequently. As well as solving the
problem, you’ll be amazed at how much better your rings look!

In addition to these corrective actions, its recommended that you switch to
18-karat gold or platinum. The lower base-metal content of 18-karat
gold—23%, versus almost 42%—significantly reduces the problem and the use of
platinum should eliminate it completely.