Why does jewelry turn my skin green?

Copper in the alloy reacts with moisture and the acids in your skin, forming copper salts that are green. It is harmless, it is not an allergy, and it means the plating has worn through to the base metal.

The green mark is a chemical reaction, not a sign that something is dangerous or that you are allergic to it.

What is happening. Most inexpensive jewelry uses a copper-containing base metal — brass or bronze — under a thin layer of gold or silver. Copper reacts with sweat, water, lotions and the natural acidity of skin to form copper salts, which are green and transfer onto you. If a piece has started doing it, the plating has worn through.

Why it happens to some people and not others. Skin pH varies, and so does how much you sweat, so the same ring can mark one person and not another. Humid weather and hand cream both accelerate it.

How to stop it. The durable fix is the material: solid sterling silver, solid gold, gold-filled, titanium and surgical steel do not do this. The temporary fix is a barrier — a coat of clear nail varnish on the inner surface of a ring will hold for a few weeks, and keeping the piece away from hand cream, perfume and water extends the plating's life considerably.

One thing worth knowing. Sterling silver turning your skin dark gray is a different reaction — that is tarnish transferring, which polishes off and does not indicate worn plating.

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