7730 Wolf River Blvd. Suite 103 Germantown, TN 38138 (901) 751-8052           Fax (901) 751-8062

Please select from the following: Home Page Products Map and Location Knowledge Center Services Resources Search Contact Us

Why does my gold turn me black?   One of the most frequently asked questions about karat gold jewelry is what sometimes causes a dark smudge on skin and clothing that have come in contact with gold. The dark discoloration on skin and fabric is known as "gold smudge." Black Dermographism Black Dermographism is the name for this smudging. The term literally means "Black Writing on the Skin." It occurs when the cosmetics contain chemical compounds harder than the jewelry metals they contact. The most common of these compounds are zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, ferric oxide, and calamine. Zinc oxide is major white pigment used in face powder creams and lipstick. It has recently been replaced by titanium dioxide which can be equally hard on jewelry. Rouge and face powder often contain ferric oxide pigments, and calamine, a tinted zinc oxide, is found in some medicated cosmetics and lotions. Particles from these cosmetics when left on the skin act like fine sandpaper. They abrade the softer jewelry metals -- gold, silver, platinum, or nickel. Such abrasion deposits a fine metallic powder from the jewelry metal on the skin. This powder looks black because the particles are too small to reflect light. The stain can be removed with soap and water. To help do away with this problem women should remove rings while applying cosmetics. They should clean with soap and water those skin areas which touch jewelry. The more precious the metal, the more discoloration produced on the skin, thus pure gold -- 24K -- readily smudges. Causes: Salt, Sulfur, and cosmetics. The latter, the worst offender. These also may stain rings or earrings. Chemical Reactions Chemical reaction is another cause of gold smudge. Chemical reaction results when high levels of acidity or other chemical factors in the body react with the non-gold alloy in the metal. Wearing higher-karatage jewelry (thereby reducing the amount of non-gold alloy that touches the skin) can help minimize this problem. People whose perspiration contains a high sulfur content may notice greenish-black discolorations on their skin when they wear gold. Applying an absorbent powder free of zinc oxide before wearing jewelry helps reduce the problem. Exposing jewelry to the salt in nuts, crackers, or popcorn can also cause skin discoloration. This type of discoloration can be prevented by removing rings when the hands must be exposed to salt. The most important thing to keep in mind is that tarnishing and discoloration--gold smudge--are caused by alloys and abrasives, not by the gold itself. Back to Previous Page Home Page Products Map and Location Knowledge Center Services Resources Search Contact Us