Why do rings make your finger green?

Answer by  stephblake (205)

If your skin is allergic to a metal which is alloyed with pure gold, silver, platinum in the jewelry then the skin turns green. Usually skin turn green if the ring is made up of white gold/sterling silver since they are alloyed with considerable amount of cheap metals.

Answer by  Echo (229)

By any chance does your ring contain copper? While the ring may not be pure copper there might be a small amount of copper in it that will turn your skin green. Some people even have body chemistry prone to staining. Even gold can be mixed with copper.

Answer by  jeremy46 (325)

Copper in jewelry can cause skin to turn green, because of the chemical reaction between the sweat of your skin and the copper. Actually, the same tarnishing causes the copper Statue of Liberty to be green as well. Sliver also tarnishes this way. Pure gold does not, which may be why it is popular in jewelry.

Answer by  wanda (58)

The metal the ring is made of may look like silver or gold but if your finger is turning green it is copper. The copper oxidizes and causes your skin to turn green.

Answer by  cangel818 (981)

If your ring is sterling silver and is soldered. the heat causes it to be coated with red copper oxide. If it is not removed you get a blackened finger.

Answer by  harleesmama (55)

Rings tend to make fingers green when they are not 100% percent gold. Mostly these rings will be make of plastic or metal with gold over the top of it. They turn it green only when the inside starts to break down.

Answer by  Anonymous

Because some alloys of gold contain copper, which oxidises. When it oxidises it leaves green on the skin it has come into contact with.