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Morgan
Expert September 2013

Ring turns my finger black!

Morgan, on April 12, 2013 at 10:34 AM Posted in Wedding Attire 0 16

I know my ring is real 14k gold and I have another ring that I wore for years that is sterling silver. Never had any issue until these last few months. My fingers turn blackish where the rings are. I always thought fake jewelry will turn skin colors green, but not 14k gold or silver. Anyone know what the deal is? It come off as soon as I wash my hand, but I have to take my ring off and wash my hand several times a day to keep from looking dirty. So annoying!!

16 Comments

Latest activity by Candice, on July 5, 2019 at 11:46 AM
  • PurpleSun
    Master September 2013
    PurpleSun ·
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    My google search results:

    A) You are pregnant

    B) You have low iron

    C) Atmospheric Reaction (ring corrodes)

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  • sara
    Super November 2013
    sara ·
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    I've used clear nail polish on the inside of other rings to keep this from happening...but those were cheaper rings..

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  • Buffee
    VIP June 2013
    Buffee ·
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    Everyone has a different ph level in their skin and it can change at any point just like allergies. Are you allergic to silver?

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  • Aimee
    Devoted September 2012
    Aimee ·
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    Maybe the rings need to be cleaned?? i have no idea!

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  • Candy
    Expert June 2013
    Candy ·
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    I've also heard that if you drink a lot of sodas and things you could have high acid levels that can cause this.

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  • Christine
    VIP September 2013
    Christine ·
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    If you're sure you're not pregnant I'd most likely say its an iron deficiency. It happens to me all the time my ring turns my finger a greenish black. Have your iron checked Smiley smile

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  • Morgan
    Expert September 2013
    Morgan ·
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    Thanks everyone! Haha google always scares me into thinking things are way worse than they are!! Lol. I just wondered if anyone had any insight or similar experiences! I'm going to the doctor next month for a physical, so hopefully we'll figure it out! I hope I am not allergic to anything in it. I'm supposed to wear this ring forever! Smiley smile

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  • soon to be MAT
    Super June 2013
    soon to be MAT ·
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    How to Avoid Getting a Green Finger from a Ring

    Even silver and gold jewelry can produce a discoloration, so advice for avoiding a green finger isn't as simple as just avoiding cheap jewelry. However, certain metals are less likely to turn green than others. You should have good luck with stainless steel jewelry, platinum jewelry and rhodium plated jewelry, which includes nearly all white gold.

    Also, you'll greatly reduce the chance of any ring turning your finger green if you take care to keep soap, lotions and other chemicals away from your ring. Remove your rings before bathing or swimming, especially in saltwater.

    Some people apply a polymer coating to their rings to act as a barrier between their skin and the metal of the ring. Nail polish is one option. Be aware you'll need to reapply the coating from time to time, since it will wear away.

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  • Hayley Câ„¢
    Master March 2008
    Hayley C™ ·
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    Gold, especially 10k and 14k gold, usually contains enough non-gold metal that it can cause discoloration. Certain metals are less likely to turn green than others. You should have good luck with stainless steel jewelry, platinum jewelry and rhodium plated jewelry, which includes nearly all white gold.

    Also, you'll greatly reduce the chance of any ring turning your finger green if you take care to keep soap, lotions and other chemicals away from your ring. Remove your rings before bathing or swimming, especially in saltwater.

    Common causes of Black rings on your fingers is because the gold become oxygenated, causing the iron mixed with gold to surface. If a person has an iron deficiency, the hemoglobin in the blood is less able to carry oxygen. Iron is not all that dissimilar from gold, chemically speaking. If a person with an iron deficiency wears gold consistently, a black or dark green mark will form over the area.

    *google

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  • A
    Master April 2014
    Angel J ·
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    Low iron will cause this. Also you may have a skin reaction to gold, my FBIL has to wear tungsten because of this type of skin reaction.

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  • Valerie
    VIP September 2013
    Valerie ·
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    I'm anemic (iron deficiency), one of the rings I wear is 10 K gold, and its never discolored my skin. Maybe see a dermatologist.

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  • Kathy Doornbos
    Kathy Doornbos ·
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    I asked my daughter who used to work in jewelry, she said that you it is either an iron deficiency or allergy. You could take some iron pills....or if it if 14K white gold...get it rhodium plated. Rhodium is part of the platinum family, and puts a barrier between you and the metal. She said she knew somebody that was so allergic to her wedding rings that rhodium plated her ring once every other month. Another suggestion she had if it is yellow gold...is to put clear nail polish on the inside of the ring the touches you directly. This is something that would need to be done every other week if you are highly allergic to the metal...because the nail polish wear off naturally and as the barrier wears down you will need to reapply it.

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  • A
    Just Said Yes May 2016
    Amy ·
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    All my sterling silver jewelry turn me green allergic to gold so can't wear that.would white gold be the same as pure gold ?my jewelry is not cheap but still turns me green

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  • Lynnie
    WeddingWire Administrator October 2016
    Lynnie ·
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    This can happen with gold rings due to metallic abrasion (makeup and things rubbing tiny particles off or your ring), a corrosion of the metals in your ring, or from too much chlorine!

    Try taking your ring off more (especially when applying cosmetics and skin products, sweating, or swimming), getting your ring re-plated with rhodium on the inside, or switching to a higher karat gold (or platinum) ring!

    http://www.yatesjewelers.com/why-does-my-gold-ring-turn-my-finger-black.html

    https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-photos/jewelry

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  • L
    Just Said Yes September 2008
    Lizzie ·
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    My mother has always told me that it is due to the acid in your body. I suffer from acid reflux disease. My finger is always black when I get a flare up. Once it gets under control the black ring goes away.
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  • Candice
    Devoted July 2020
    Candice ·
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    I have a friend who's specific body oils eat gold specifically. They can't wear gold earrings for example because his body will erode the posts. Have you had any kind of similar reaction to other gold jewelry?

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