What is actually happening
Most jewelry metals contain copper — sterling silver has some, gold alloys have some, and plated pieces often have a brass core. Copper reacts with sweat, lotions and the acids on your skin, and the by-product is the green or grey mark. It washes off, it is harmless, and it varies enormously from person to person.
Why it happens to you and not your sister
- Skin chemistry — how acidic your sweat is, which is mostly not something you control.
- Lotions and sunscreen, which speed the reaction up considerably.
- Heat and humidity — a lot of people only see it in summer.
- Medication and diet, which change sweat chemistry.
- The alloy — a lower karat gold has more copper in it than a higher one.
What we can do about it
- Rhodium plate the piece. This puts a barrier between the metal and your skin and is the most common answer.
- Clean and polish it, which removes oxidation already on the surface.
- Plate just the inside of a ring, so the outside keeps its colour.
- Talk about the metal. A higher karat or a platinum piece has far less copper in it.
What you can do
Take the ring off before lotion and sunscreen, dry your hands before putting it back on, and rinse the piece now and then. That alone fixes it for a lot of people.
Bring it in and we will look at it
Every piece is different and plating questions especially so. Put it on the counter, tell us what has happened, and we will tell you what we see and what we would do about it. You decide from there, before anything is agreed.
Questions we get asked
Why does my ring turn my finger green?
Copper in the alloy reacting with your skin. Harmless, and there are ways to stop it.
Can you stop it?
Usually, by plating the piece so the metal is not touching your skin. Bring it in and we will look at what yours needs.
Does it mean the jewelry is fake?
No. Sterling silver and real gold alloys both contain copper.
Can you plate just the inside of a ring?
Yes, so the outside keeps its own colour.
Will you tell me what you find before doing any work?
Always. We look at it with you at the counter, tell you what we see, and you decide.
Not sure we can fix it?
Send a couple of details and we will call you back. Or just walk in — it is quicker, and we can actually look at the piece.
Drop it off, shop the mall, wear it tonight
We are inside Orland Square Mall in Orland Park. Walk in during mall hours, no appointment. Most repairs are finished the same day and a good number while you wait.
Where we are
Julio's Jewelry, 800 Orland Square Drive, Orland Park, IL 60462 — inside Orland Square Mall. Mon–Thu 10am–8pm · Fri–Sat 10am–9pm · Sun 11am–6pm. We are also at North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 W Cermak Rd, North Riverside, IL 60546.