October 28

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Why Does Jewelry Turn Your Skin Green?

By Emily Wilke

October 28, 2014

accessories, copper, jewelry care, skin reactions

copper jewelry, green finger,

My jewelry turned my skin green! Why is that? 

You may have noticed that jewelry can sometimes turn your skin green. It is not an allergic reaction, but a chemical reaction. It’s copper! Whether the jewelry is silver, a plated color, or actual copper jewelry, they all contain some copper. This does not mean it is cheap jewelry. Some very beautiful, artistic jewelry is made from copper or with metals that contain copper. You just need to decide if it is worth the extra care you may need to take when owning copper jewelry.

The copper is reacting with the oils in your skin and the chemicals released in your sweat because they are acidic in nature. You will find this happening more with rings than any other jewelry because they are in such close contact to your skin, although it can happen with any jewelry touching your skin.

If you want to wear copper jewelry without the reaction, here are some ways to prevent the green skin.

How to Prevent it…

1. Keep your jewelry clean. Clean and wipe it down after you take it off each night to remove the chemicals and oils from your skin.

2. Wear it over your clothes. If you wear a pendant on top of your shirt, you will not have this problem because it is separated from your skin.

3. Polish your rings or other jewelry items with wax. This will create a barrier between the metals and your skin. Then reapply when it wears off.

4. Wearing looser jewelry will help prevent it as well because more air will circulate around the piece and your skin.

Remember, even if you do turn green, don’t worry. Your skin will usually go back to normal overnight.

So are you willing to give copper jewelry another shot? Comment below and let me know.

Thanks for stopping by!

Emily Wilke, Style Avenue Studios

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