If you are wondering if your silver ring leaves marks on your finger, you are not alone. It’s not only silver, but also other metals, including nickel, cobalt, chromite, and argentium. These elements react to the pH level of the skin, and can cause staining. Even hand creams and other chemicals can affect the appearance of your silver ring.
You’ve wrapped a beautiful piece of silver jewelry around your finger, only to notice that it has left behind a dark green or black ring. What’s worse, the discoloration doesn’t just disappear; you may have to contend with it for the rest of your life if you don’t remove it quickly. Of course, a green or black finger is likely not your goal when wearing silver or gold jewelry. Before you learn how to avoid a green or black finger when wearing silver and gold jewelry, it is important to understand why this discoloration happen.
Nickel
The nickel in rings can leave a mark on your finger. A ring may be allergic to nickel or can cause dermatitis if it is made of too much nickel. These reactions can be prevented with proper cleaning and rinsing. Nickel can also be found in jeans buttons, earring backing, and nail polish. To avoid a nickel rash, you should remove your ring after wearing it and dry your hands thoroughly.
Cobalt
Silver and cobalt are both transition metals and are typically alloyed to give them greater strength and durability. Cobalt chrome is an alloy of cobalt and chromium. Its strength and corrosion resistance are incredible, and it is biocompatible. The white polished finish of cobalt rings makes them similar to white gold, but it is more affordable than platinum or silver. Its white shine makes it a popular choice for wedding bands and engagement rings.
Chromite
Chromium is the metal found in the mineral chromite. It is a shiny black mineral that makes an odd -looking cabochon. Although the metal has no inherent value, it is abundant and is mainly cut as a cabochon for its curious appearance. The mark can be easily noticed in a silver ring and indicates that it has been tarnished by chromite.
Argentium
If you wear a sterling silver ring that makes your finger look like a mess, then consider wearing an Argentium silver ring instead. This type of silver is more durable than sterling silver, and it’s also much less likely to leave marks on your finger. Argentium silver is made with germanium, not copper, so it’s much less likely to react with your skin’s acids.
Stainless steel
A stainless steel ring leaves marks on your finger. It turns your finger green because of the metal content of the ring. Having a discolored finger is very frustrating. Stainless steel does not turn your finger green, however, unless it is made of an alloy that has an excess of chromium. However, be aware that not all stainless steel jewelry will cause this reaction. Some can leave green patches on your finger, which will disappear once you take off the jewelry.
White gold
The white gold ring leaves marks on the finger because of the metal alloys used to make it. Some people are allergic to this metal, such as nickel and copper. This reaction increases when you use lotions on your hand while wearing the ring. To avoid these reactions, you should clean the ring frequently. A proper cleaning will take care of the tarnishing of the ring. If you’re not sure how to clean it properly, check out these tips from the Jewelry Association of America, Inc.
Clear nail polish
If you own a piece of sterling silver jewelry, you might be wondering how to avoid leaving clear nail polish marks on it while wearing it. While it’s possible to apply nail polish to sterling silver, it will likely tarnish and discolor the silver. Therefore, you should avoid wearing other types of jewelry while wearing a silver ring. Alternatively, you can wear a silver ring without applying any clear nail polish at all.
Gold and platinum do not tarnish, so these are the most viable non-silver choices if you’re looking for jewelry that won’t leave any discoloration on your finger. If you really want silver rings to remain silver, you should wear gloves with your rings, or wash your hands immediately after taking them off. Do this and you won’t have to worry about those dark green or black spots on your fingers.
