What causes skin to turn green from jewelry?

We do our best to source and fabricate our jewelry with metal that has a positive impact on your skin. But we do have people ask us if this will happen or why it might have happened with jewelry they owned previously.

Skin turning green from jewelry is an occurrence with items made from solid brass or inexpensive materials. The green color is caused by a chemical reaction between the jewelry and the oils and acids on your skin. Here are some of the different reasons skin turns green from jewelry:

1. Copper content: Jewelry made with higher copper, can cause skin discoloration, as the copper oxidizes when it comes into contact with skin, leaving a greenish residue.

2. Metal alloys: Many inexpensive religious jewelry is made of plated metal alloys, which can react with the oils and acids on your skin, causing it to turn green.

3. Acidic skin: People with acidic skin may be more prone to experiencing green skin from jewelry, as the acidity can cause a chemical reaction with the metal in the jewelry.

4. Sweating: Sweat can also cause a chemical reaction with the metal in jewelry, particularly in hot or humid conditions.

5. Allergies: Some people may have an allergy to certain metals, such as nickel, which can cause skin irritation and discoloration.

If you experience green skin from jewelry, it's important to remove the jewelry and clean the affected area with soap and water. To prevent future skin discoloration, try wearing higher-quality jewelry made from materials that are less likely to react with skin, such as sterling silver, gold-filled, gold, or platinum. You can also try applying a clear coat such as Sensa Guard or Protecta Clear to the metal surface of the jewelry to create a barrier between the metal and your skin.