Gold that turns black in most cases is fake. Gold that is genuine and unadulterated is unreactive. It won’t corrode, rust, or oxidize.
Pure gold jewelry will not tarnish, but gold jewelry made with an alloy such as silver or copper will tarnish and turn black with time. Because gold is a soft metal, most jewelers combine it with other metals to make it harder and more durable.
Regardless of purity, some people still experience discoloration with even the finest gold jewelry, while others won’t. Other factors such as the environment, chemicals, and biology will turn gold black.
Keep reading to find out what you can do to avoid having your gold jewelry turn your skin black.
Your Real Gold Jewelry Turns Black- Is It Normal?
Ideally, real gold should not turn black. A jewelry item made out of pure gold will never tarnish as it will never corrode or oxidize.
However, it is normal for authentic gold jewelry to turn black if it’s combined with other metals.
If Gold Turns Black is it Fake?
Gold that turns black is not always fake. Poor care, which is especially critical for gold jewelry, is sometimes the underlying cause of your jewelry turning black.
Cleaning your jewelry with a suitable jewelry cleaning solution is also crucial to remove any sweat, dirt, or chemicals that might react with the metals in your gold jewelry and cause discoloration.
Why Your Gold or Gold Jewelry Turns Black Sooner or Later
There are three main reasons why your gold or gold rings turn black sooner or later. They are biological, chemical, and environmental.
1. Chemical
Wearing your ring while using harsh detergents around the house or swimming in a chlorine-treated spa or pool will erode it.
The metals corrode and turn black when chemicals react with the metal alloy in the ring, resulting in blackening skin underneath.
Gold jewelry might become discolored due to the makeup or cosmetics you’ve been using. Most cosmetics include hard metals that can readily cut through any softer gold into fine particles.
These particles have a black tint, almost like a thin black powder or dust. When this dust comes into touch with absorbent surfaces, such as your skin, it sticks and smudges, leaving a black discoloration.
2. Biological
Our sweat contains lipids and fatty acids, which can cause your gold ring to corrode. Sweat also contains a small quantity of salt, which aids in the metals.
In addition to sweat, our bodies also release hormones. Hormone changes can induce interactions with the metal alloys in the ring, resulting in dark chemical compounds that appear on your finger as black streaks.
3. Environmental
If you’ve ever observed that your rings fit tighter when it’s hot outdoors, you’re noticing the effects of the climate on your body. The metal itself can be affected by the same environment.
If you live in a humid environment, your ring may tarnish more quickly and create black stains on your finger. Moisture on your skin increases as the humidity rises, trapping it between your finger and skin.
When the metal interacts with your body chemistry, it becomes corroded and subject to leaving marks.
You’re more exposed if you live near the sea or ocean. In coastal places, salt evaporates into the atmosphere and stays. This salt operates similarly to sweat salt and will corrode the metals in your gold ring over time.
Tips for Wearing Gold Jewelry without Turning Your Skin Black
There are some things you can do to wear gold jewelry without turning your skin black
1. Take Off Your Rings
Wearing your rings while using inherently corrosive items is not a good idea. Remove them before you do chores, wash your hands, clean, shower, swim in the pool, or apply lotion or cosmetics.
After completing these things, please wash your hands with soap to eliminate any residue and allow them to dry thoroughly or the lotion to absorb entirely before putting back your rings.
2. Seal the Ring
Create a barrier between your skin and your ring to help reduce corrosion and protect your skin from existing corrosion.
Apply a protective covering to the interior of your ring using jewelry lacquer or clear nail paint.
They’ll have to be reapplied from time to time. They’re effective and won’t damage the ring.
3. Get Some Powder
If you reside in a humid area or if your hands sweat a lot, invest in an absorbent powder. You’ll want to use something soft and abrasion-free for this.
Generously apply it to your hands to absorb moisture before putting on your rings.
4. Plating in Rhodium
White gold does not turn skin black since it usually is rhodium plated for a white look. You may get a similar advantage by rhodium plating the interior of your ring. It will ultimately wear off due to friction. Replate it regularly.
5. Try Out Different Metals
Consider using 18-karat gold instead of 14-karat gold. An 18k gold ring makes 75 percent pure gold and 25 percent alloy. At 42 percent, a 14k gold ring has almost double the number of alloys as a 10k gold ring.
You might also opt for platinum. A platinum ring is unlikely ever to become discolored.
6. Clean Your Rings Consistently
By cleaning your gold ring, you can remove all residues of dirt, sweat, and chemicals that react with the metals.
Your rings can be cleaned as often as you like as long as you follow a safe cleaning method.
Cleaning your band will assist in eliminating any dirt, perspiration, or chemicals that have accumulated on the metals in your gold ring.
As long as you choose a safe approach, you may clean your rings as often as possible.
Conclusion
Gold is a valuable metal used in jewelry, coinage, and other beautiful goods for centuries. For generations, people have been captivated by it, and there are several legends and myths surrounding it.
Ultimately, whether or not gold turns black is determined by several factors, including the purity of the gold and the metal alloys utilized. Gold is valuable, but it is also delicate. It needs constant maintenance and care regularly.
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Tiger is a fashion&jewelry lover. He is also a fashion jewelry manufacturer that help thousands of small business to grow and also do business with some big fashion jewelry brands. He is a truly metal expert and he will share some information you are looking for.