What causes a ring to blacken or discolor skin, clothing and even jewelry? Many think that faulty manufacturing or underkarating might be the problem, however, this is not the case.
The most common reason is metallic abrasion, caused by makeup on skin or clothing. Cosmetics can often contain compounds harder than jewelry that wears or rubs off very tiny particles. Very finely divided metal always appears black rather than metallic, so it looks like a jet-black dust. When this dust comes into contact with absorbant surfaces such as skin or clothing, it sticks, forming a black smudge.
The easiest way to prevent this is to try switching cosmetics. If this is not possible, rings and other jewelry should be removed while applying them and clean skin areas in contact with jewelry 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 will do so under wet or moist conditions, forming very dark chemical compounds.
Perrspiration releases fats and fatty acids that can cause corrosion of 14k gold, especially when exposed to warmth and air. This problem can be worse in coastal or semitropical areas, where chlorides combine with perspiration to form a corrosive element that discolors skin. Smog fumes gradually attack jewelry and are evident as a tarnish that rubs off on the skin.
Remove jewelry often and use an absorbant powder, free of abrasives, on skin that comes into contact with jewelry.
The design of jewelry can also have an influence. Wide shanks have more surface area to contact abrasives or corrosives. Concave surfaces inside a shank form collectioin points that trap moisture and contaminants, sometimes causing dermatitis.
Remove all rings before using soaps, cleaning compounds or detergent. Cleaning rings frequently will not only reduce discoleration, but will also make the rings look much better.
If these corrective actions do not solve the problem, switch to 18k gold or platinum. The lower alloy content of 18k gold, 25% versus almost 42% in 14kt, significantly reduces the problem. Using platinum should eliminate discoloration completely.
