When discolouring takes place, most people assume that faulty manufacturing, fake gold or other reasons are to blame. In some cases this may be true, but there are other reasons to cause a ring or other jewellery pieces to blacken or discolour the skin and clothing.
The most common reason is metallic abrasion caused by makeup on skin or clothing. Cosmetics often contain compounds that are harder than the jewellery. These compounds act as a very fine abrasive that wears or rubs off very tiny particles of the metal from the jewellery. Very finely divided metal always appears black rather than metallic, so it looks like a black dust. When this dust comes into contact with an absorbent surface such as skin or clothing, it sticks, forming a black smudge. To prevent this, try changing cosmetics, but if this is not possible, remove rings and other jewellery pieces while applying the cosmetics, and clean skin areas in contact with jewellery with soap and water.
Another cause is actual corrosion of the metals. Gold itself does not corrode, but its primary alloys of silver or copper do corrode under moist or wet conditions, forming very dark chemical compounds. When people perspire, fats and fatty acids are released that can cause corrosion of 14-carat gold, especially when exposed to warmth and air. This problem can be worse in seacoast semitropical areas, where chlorides combine with perspiration to form a corrosive element that discolours the skin. Smog fumes gradually attack jewellery and are evident as a tarnish that rubs off onto the skin. Remove jewellery often and use an absorbent powder, free of abrasives, on skin that comes into contact with jewellery. Remove all rings before using soaps, cleaning compounds or detergents and clean your rings frequently. As well as solving the problem, the ring will also benefit and reward you by looking much better.
In extreme cases changing to 18-carat jewellery that has only 25% alloy compared with 14 carat-jewellery with 42% alloy significantly reduces the problem. The use of platinum jewellery should reduce the problem all together.
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This article remains the copyright of Rarity4u and has been produced for educational purposes only and cannot be copied, reprinted or redistributed for commercial purposes or gain. No part of this work may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means - graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or information storage and retrieval systems - without written permission from Rarity4u.
If you would like to reprint, or quote all or part of this article, please send your request by e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
The most common reason is metallic abrasion caused by makeup on skin or clothing. Cosmetics often contain compounds that are harder than the jewellery. These compounds act as a very fine abrasive that wears or rubs off very tiny particles of the metal from the jewellery. Very finely divided metal always appears black rather than metallic, so it looks like a black dust. When this dust comes into contact with an absorbent surface such as skin or clothing, it sticks, forming a black smudge. To prevent this, try changing cosmetics, but if this is not possible, remove rings and other jewellery pieces while applying the cosmetics, and clean skin areas in contact with jewellery with soap and water.
Another cause is actual corrosion of the metals. Gold itself does not corrode, but its primary alloys of silver or copper do corrode under moist or wet conditions, forming very dark chemical compounds. When people perspire, fats and fatty acids are released that can cause corrosion of 14-carat gold, especially when exposed to warmth and air. This problem can be worse in seacoast semitropical areas, where chlorides combine with perspiration to form a corrosive element that discolours the skin. Smog fumes gradually attack jewellery and are evident as a tarnish that rubs off onto the skin. Remove jewellery often and use an absorbent powder, free of abrasives, on skin that comes into contact with jewellery. Remove all rings before using soaps, cleaning compounds or detergents and clean your rings frequently. As well as solving the problem, the ring will also benefit and reward you by looking much better.
In extreme cases changing to 18-carat jewellery that has only 25% alloy compared with 14 carat-jewellery with 42% alloy significantly reduces the problem. The use of platinum jewellery should reduce the problem all together.
Copyright
This article remains the copyright of Rarity4u and has been produced for educational purposes only and cannot be copied, reprinted or redistributed for commercial purposes or gain. No part of this work may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means - graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or information storage and retrieval systems - without written permission from Rarity4u.
If you would like to reprint, or quote all or part of this article, please send your request by e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Copyright © Rarity4u All rights reserved
