JEWELLERY CARE & GREEN FINGER
Why does my finger turn green?
The patch of skin in contact with a ring turns green when the materials oxidise. This means they react to the pH levels of your skin and create a tarnish, which then leaves a stain on the skin. People who happen to have a higher acidic pH within their skin tend to experience this phenomenon more often and, whilst rare, it’s worth knowing what to do when such an instance arises. Another common culprit is the chemicals in your hand creams which will cause the metal to oxidise even if your skin is not sensitive to metals. The most common ingredient in any piece of jewellery that causes this scenario is copper. Pure gold and silver are naturally too soft to work with, and therefore must be alloyed (stabilised) with other materials in order to create a secure, good-quality piece of jewellery. For example, the 925 sterling silver jewellery that we offer here at Diamond Galore, is composed of 92.5% silver, and 7.5% copper (hence, the number 925). This formula results in the highest quality silver jewellery, and is used by high-end brands as well as more affordable fashion jewellery brands, and therefore it must never be assumed that a trace of copper equals poor quality. Quite the contrary, it makes your jewellery stronger.
What can I do to prevent my skin turning green?
If you are one of the few people who experience staining when you wear jewellery, there are some steps you can take to prevent such occurrences and better enjoy your accessories.
1. Keep the area dry
Take off your rings before you wash your hands, shower, or go swimming. Damp skin can often expedite the process of oxidation and cause a more noticeable green stain on your skin. If you are going swimming, it’s especially important to remove your jewellery, as the chlorine will leave a green stain and also damage your jewellery!
2. Pay attention with lotions
Chemicals found in lotions can also react to the materials in your jewellery, therefore causing a darker stain on your skin. Make sure the lotion has absorbed into your skin completely before putting on your rings.
3. Ask about what materials are in your jewellery
Whilst green staining can happen from many different types of jewellery—both high and low quality, it is true that lower quality jewellery is more likely to cause a stain. Always be aware of what materials are present in your rings, in order to avoid the Green Finger. Stainless steel, 925 sterling silver, platinum, rhodium-plated and gold-plated materials are all made from safe materials that are good for sensitive skin, and yet can still cause some staining. Try to avoid nickel, as it is the cheapest and lowest quality material that can be found in jewellery, and is known to cause irritation and infection. Our sterling silver jewellery do not contain nickel. If you are unsure, please contact us.
4. Apply a polymer barrier
One of the best and most effective ways to avoid the Green Finger is to apply a polymer barrier to the inner band of your rings. This effectively creates a barrier between the jewellery and your skin, which prevents oxidisation and staining. A Jewellery Shield product is cheap to buy, and you will need to reapply every few weeks once it has worn away. This is by far the cheapest and most efficient way of reducing Green Finger, without splashing out on expensive solid-gold or solid-platinum accessories!
What do I do to treat a green finger?
Knowing how to avoid jewellery staining is useful, but you’re probably reading this article because you have already fallen prey to the unfortunate Green Finger. What can you do to remove the staining?
The first and most obvious step is to remove the stain by scrubbing your skin with soap and warm water.
If this doesn’t work, you can also use make-up remover or rubbing alcohol for more stubborn stains. Wipe over the affected area with some cotton, and then rinse of with warm water and soap.
For particularly dark and troublesome stains, you may also use a non-acetone nail varnish remover. Again, use a cotton pad to apply gently over the stain, and rinse with soap and warm water. This method should be your last option however, and should not be used on a regular basis, as it is harsher on the skin and can cause dryness.
Jewellery care
If you wear your Diamond Galore pieces every day, first of all, thank you! We are ecstatic that you love our products enough to make them your daily staple. However over the time, it is inevitable that the protective rhodium, platinum or gold plating will wear away over the time, revealing more copper contact with your skin. Showing a little love and taking care of your pieces will forestall this natural wear and tear.
To extend the life of your jewellery, give them occasional breaks from every day wear, and keep them away from any moisture and especially chemicals
Give your pieces a wipe with a soft cloth to clean them. You can also keep them in a small cloth bag, away from humidity, when not in use in order to minimise scratching and oxidation.
By taking precautionary steps and proper care of your jewellery, you can say goodbye to unsightly stains and marks. Remember that green staining is not necessarily due to the jewellery being ‘fake’ or cheap, but can happen with even the highest quality brands! Simply follow this guide, and you can flaunt your pieces with confidence and comfort.
Each item meets the highest standards of quality however, once purchased each items life expectancy is dependent on how well it is cared for. By placing an order with us, customers agree that the Care Guide has been read and clearly understood.
We recommend that you handle all items with delicate care to ensure longevity. Please keep items in a cool dry place. Preferably your Diamond Galore box/dustbag.