Why Does Jewelry Turn Skin Green & Can You Prevent It?

Why Does Jewelry Turn Skin Green? Plus, Tips for How to Prevent It

You purchased a beautiful piece of jewelry and are wearing it for the first time. But, after a while, you start to notice something strange and disconcerting: The jewelry has turned your skin green!

There’s no need to panic. It isn’t an allergic reaction. Even so, no one wants a weird green color popping up around their neck, wrist, or finger or against their earlobes. So, why does jewelry turn skin green? And what do you do when you notice this unsightly skin discoloration? Is there any way to prevent it?

Here’s everything you need to know about this strange occurrence.

Why Does Some Jewelry Turn Your Skin Green?

Simply put, the green discoloration you might see after wearing certain jewelry pieces can be attributed to a chemical reaction between the decorative piece and your skin’s oils and natural perspiration. When certain jewelry comes into direct contact with your body, a skin reaction is more likely to occur. But it’s important to note this phenomenon only happens when wearing certain metals.

What Metals Turn Skin Green?

So, what metal turns skin green? The most common culprit is copper jewelry. But what if you weren’t wearing copper jewelry when you experienced this skin discoloration?

You might’ve been wearing copper jewelry but just didn’t realize it. Copper is often mixed with other metals to make them more durable or affordable. However, since copper jewelry isn’t as in demand as silver jewelry or gold jewelry, and because copper may make up a relatively small percentage of the overall alloy, the jewelry could have been marketed as another precious metal without mentioning copper.

Other metal alloys that may contain copper (and thus may result in green skin) include:

• 14K gold
• 18K gold
• Rose gold
• Sterling silver
• Brass
• Bronze

Of course, the greater the amount of copper in the alloy, the more likely it is to turn skin green. Additionally, the more oils and sweat you produce while wearing the jewelry, such as if you are playing sports or in a humid climate, the more likely the aforementioned chemical reaction will occur.

It’s just a myth that only cheap jewelry or costume jewelry will discolor your skin. As you can see, even high-quality pieces have the potential to turn your skin green if they contain copper.

Suggested Read: The Top Benefits of Wearing Copper

What to Do if Your Skin Turns Green After You Wear Jewelry

Beyond asking why does my skin turn green from jewelry, you’re probably also wondering how to make that unsightly green hue disappear. As mentioned, the green stain on your skin isn’t dangerous, so if you don’t want to do anything to remove it, you don’t have to. The green color will naturally fade over time and should completely disappear within a few days.

But if you want your skin tone to be back to normal as soon as possible, the first thing to do is remove jewelry when you notice the reaction. Then wash your hands well, and most of the color should disappear within moments.

How to Prevent Jewelry Turning Skin Green

If you realize that some of your jewelry regularly turns your skin green, what should you do? Do you have to give up on wearing that piece of jewelry for good? Not at all!

You can prevent skin discoloration in the future in a few ways.

Coat the Metal

You can prevent green discoloration by creating an invisible, temporary barrier between your skin and the piece of jewelry wherever it makes direct contact with your body, whether your finger, wrist, earlobe, or neck. To do so, consider applying a thin layer of clear nail polish. You can also coat the metal with wax to create the same protective layer.

If the piece of jewelry is particularly valuable and you want to create a long-term barrier, you can consider getting it plated with rhodium to prevent the chemical reaction from happening again.

Maintain Your Jewelry

Many of the rules of thumb for taking care of jewelry and keeping it clean also apply to preventing a reaction between the metal and your skin, keeping your jewelry from turning your skin green.

This means not wearing your jewelry while in the shower or pool and otherwise not getting it wet while you’re wearing it. It also means avoiding wearing the piece when applying cosmetics or doing anything else that might expose the metals to unwanted chemicals. Also, avoid wearing the susceptible jewelry on hot days when sweat can make a reaction more likely.

Clean Your Jewelry Regularly

Along these lines, it’s also important to clean your jewelry regularly. Use warm water, mild soap, and a soft polishing cloth to remove build-up and debris, and then thoroughly dry each piece so no moisture lingers.

Benign Chemical Reaction or Allergic Reaction?

If you’re still unsure that a skin reaction to your jewelry is entirely benign and you’re worried you might actually be allergic, there can be other indicators.

 Here’s how to tell the difference between a simple green discoloration and a true allergic reaction.

 If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, it might be a sign of an allergic reaction:

• Red, inflamed skin
• Bumpy skin, like a rash or blisters
• Itchiness
• Pain
• Swelling
• Dry skin with scaling, flaking, and/or patchiness

If you experience any of these symptoms, stop wearing the jewelry immediately, and if the symptoms are severe and/or do not go away on their own, seek medical help.

Why Does Some Jewelry Turn Skin Green FAQs

Still have questions about jewelry that may turn your skin green? Or simply just want the quick, nitty-gritty details? Here’s what you need to know.

Why Does Some Jewelry Turn Skin Green?

Skin may turn green when wearing certain jewelry due to a chemical reaction between the decorative piece and your skin and any substances on your skin, such as oils, cosmetics, or sweat. The most common metal for this to occur is copper jewelry.

Is It Dangerous if Your Skin Turns Green from Jewelry?

No, it’s not dangerous. Other than being unsightly, the reaction is completely harmless, and once you stop wearing the jewelry, the green color will fade on its own within a few days.

Does Only Cheap Jewelry Turn Your Skin Green?

This is just a myth. Jewelry with a high enough amount of copper content and jewelry that has not been cared for properly may turn your skin green.

Is There an Easy Way to Keep Your Jewelry from Turning Your Skin Green?

One simple hack is to apply a thin layer of clear nail polish to the jewelry wherever it makes direct contact with your skin. This acts as a barrier that can help prevent the chemical reaction from happening.

What Metals Won’t Turn My Skin Green?

If you want to shop for jewelry that will never turn your skin green, look for pieces made from hypoallergenic metals.

Protect Your Skin & Protect Your Jewelry

Now that you know the answer to ‘why does jewelry turn my skin green,’ you can confidently wear your collection and shop for new pieces, knowing exactly what to expect — and what to do if your skin does indeed turn green.

But it’s not just your skin you want to protect — it’s wise to protect your most valuable pieces, too, with jewelry insurance. BriteCo’s comprehensive coverage options will protect all your favorite jewelry. Get your free quote today!

Related Articles:

How To Clean Piercing Jewelry?
How Long Do Ear Piercings Take to Heal?
Different Types of Ear Piercings

Appraisal Tool:

The Easiest Way to Get a Professional Jewelry Appraisal Valuation!

GET AN APPRAISAL NOW →