Why does some jewellery turn your skin green?

If you’ve ever bought a cheap piece of jewellery, particularly a ring or bracelet, you may have found that it turned your skin green! So why does some jewellery do this? Let’s take a closer look:

Why does some jewellery turn your skin green or black?

Metal can be treated in various ways according to the application. In jewellery making, this might include electroless nickel coating processes, from providers such as https://www.poeton.co.uk/surface-treatments/plating/electroless-nickel-plating. But when jewellery is cheaper, it tends not to be treated, and the copper that exists in the metal can then react with acids, salts and chemicals to create a copper reaction. This creates copper sulphides, chlorides and sulfates which colour the skin.

Is this dangerous?

No, not at all! There is no danger to your skin, and it’s not bad for your health. Skin discolouration from metal tends to be a personal thing that depends on how the wearer’s skin PH level interacts with the metal. The most common colour you might see is green, but you can see black too, which comes from a sterling silver tarnish, forming when the silver reacts with a liquid or gas containing sulphur. The skin discolouration will disappear in a few days, and you can hasten the process by washing the affected area.

What if my skin turns red?

Green or black colour is usually down to metal reactions. However, if your skin turns red, it’s usually because it’s irritated or has experienced an allergy to something such as metal. If sweat, soap or lotion gets trapped under your jewellery, that can also cause skin irritation.

How to avoid skin discolouration from jewellery?

Some people find that they get discolouration on their skin from all types of jewellery, even fine jewellery made from gold and silver. But for most people, the key to avoiding discolouration of the skin is to choose metals wisely and based on experience. You can also wash your jewellery regularly to keep any contaminants off it, and choose jewellery that doesn’t stick too closely to your skin.