What is causing my rings to turn my fingers green? They are all 14k gold, and stamped 14k on the inside.?

Question

My wedding ring is from Zales and I have been wearing it for 14 years without any problems, but this is the third time in the last six months that I have noticed that when I take my rings off they are leaving dark gray/green marks on my fingers.

I have been dieting and wonder if this is a reaction to something I am eating or maybe a chemical reaction from some deficiency?

I guess I am really wondering why for 13 years this has never happened, and is now starting!

Answer 1

I've always heard (and tell my customers) that when your ring turns your finger gray/green, it isn't the ring itself, but a chemical reaction between the ring and your skin. Often times indicates an iron deficiency. I'm not suggesting you start taking iron pills, but have you been getting enough? Talk to your Dr...he/she will point you in the right direction.

Don't waste your money buying higher karat gold - it may or may not work. Besides - gold is a very soft metal by nature..10k and 14k are stronger than 18k and are quite common in the US.

Answer 2

Um, well, you could have gotten a 14K gold-PLATED ring. That would be the worst-case scenario. In which case, take it back. That being said, your body could just have a chemical reaction to the OTHER metals present in the ring - that doesn't mean it's fake or plated. 14K gold is 14 parts gold out of 24 parts - that means it's only a little over half pure. The other 10 parts are made out of a combination of metals including copper, nickel or zinc, in various percentages. I'm guessing if you're turning green, you are having a reaction to the copper or nickel. That is unfortunate, but unless you wear very pure gold, or gold mixed with less copper/nickel, in the future, you will probably always have this problem.

Answer 3

14k Gold Ring

Answer 4

It's the gold in the ring, or rather the lack of. Anything less than 18k will do this. It means the gold is, sorry to say, not clean. If you wear 24k gold this can't happen because it is 'pure' and pure gold doesn't turn green but 14k does. Get a ring with a higher k number and you won't have this problem.

Answer 5

Gold itself hardly ever stains your skin, it's the other metals that gold is mixed with that do. Copper, nickel and silver can be used to alter the color of gold, and make it stronger and more affordable. Any of those metals can cause discoloration on your skin.

The lower the "K" number on your gold (Karat), the less pure gold it contains--and the more other metals. Some people never have a reaction to the metals in even 10K gold, but others must buy 18K pieces to stop the discoloration.

Answer 6

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, we recommend that you remove rings and other jewelry while applying them, and clean skin areas in contact with jewelry with soap and water.

Answer 7

Its funny that you ask that because my teacher was just telling us about this. The reason your fingers are turning green doesnt have to be because it's fake. It is a chemical reaction between the gold and you skin. Sometimes some people get this reaction

Answer 8

All the above are good answers but the truth is the perspiration on your fingers is acidic and that in turn will make the metals in the ring change colour usually the copper content is the metal that turns green.

Answer 9

It a chemical reaction of your skin. My finger turns green all the time from my gold.

Answer 10

there is no such thing as 14 carrot gold and what you have got sounds like brass that was gold plated, now the gold as worn away you are left with a brass ring that will make your skin go green. Sorry love but it sounds like you were conned. I am from england and never evr heard of gold that low in carrot. The normal and most popular here is 19 and then 22. Gold does not oxidize therefore can not have a reaction with your skin, I have had bleach, householh cleaners hair dye, acids, in fact most things you can come into contact with and never had a reaction like that from my gold. I never take it off and bathe and wash everything and it just doesnt happen at all.