Jewellery is one of the most prized possessions in our lives and also one of the most luxurious items. Jewellery enhances one’s beauty and confidence.

It depicts the social status of the individuals who possess it and signifies wealth and power. Jewellery significantly adds beauty and is used to decorate oneself.

But along with all its merits, there are some factors to consider when wearing or using jewellery. Jewellery comes in many forms and many types and each type of jewellery tends to affect the skin in different ways.

Although jewellery made up of pure gold and silver or other precious metals like platinum and rhodium have no negative impact on your skin.

However, jewellery like brass which consists of elements like copper and zinc tends to alter the colour of the skin and turn the skin green due to its chemical properties.

Let us dig deeper and understand how jewellery like brass affects the skin and does brass turn your skin green.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Wearing Brass Jewelry?

Pros

Affordable

Brass is affordable jewellery and a great alternative to gold as it resembles gold and people who cannot afford pure gold as jewellery made of gold can cost a fortune most people would prefer a better alternative and thus can opt for brass jewellery and get the same satisfaction and therefore people prefer brass for its affordability factor and also for its look.

Durable

One of the most important factors of brass is its durability factor. Combinations of iron, aluminium, silicon and manganese make brass wear and tear and corrosion resistant. Susceptible to stress cracking when exposed to ammonia.

Brass is a durable metal and thus because of this factor brass is widely used in making jewellery and also everyday objects as it can last for a long period.

Resistant

Brass is resistant to corrosion and this feature is one of the most prominent factors they are used in making jewellery as they are corrosion free and will last for a long period without getting degraded.

Unlike iron, brass does not form weak, flaky rust when it corrodes. Instead, a firm and durable patina layer appear on the surface of brass when exposed to air and moisture.

This layer acts as a barrier that prevents more air and moisture from contacting the brass substrate, thus halting further corrosion.

Cons

Change In Colour

Brass consists of elements like copper, zinc and nickel which when used consistently over time can undergo chemical reactions due to the constant exposure to acids or moisture.

There can be a noticeable change in the colour of the jewellery after constant usage or due to a chemical reaction.

Skin infections

One of the major drawbacks of brass jewellery is that it can cause skin infections or give rise to certain skin diseases if used by people with sensitive skin. Brass consists of elements like copper and zinc which can cause irritation or infection to people as these elements are highly reactive with the surrounding or moisture.

Why is My Jewelry Turning My Skin Green?

Jewellery like brass which is made up of copper and zinc when used for a long period or when constantly exposed tends to come in reaction with your skin moisture or other products applied on your skin and oxidise.

Hence the chemical reaction gives rise to a certain green substance that sticks to your skin and makes your skin look green.

What Kind of Jewelry Turns Skin Green?

Copper to be specific is responsible for turning the skin green. Copper when it comes in contact with water or moisture undergoes a chemical reaction and the result of the by-product of this reaction are the green residue or substance which sticks on the skin and gives the skin a green colour.

Brass jewellery also consists of elements like copper and zinc hence the mixture is highly reactive to moisture and other acids and constant usage can give rise to such reactions turning your skin colour green.

How To Get Rid Of Green Skin From Jewelry?

There are certain steps and measures to avoid or to get rid of green skin from jewellery. Although these green substances do not leave permanent marks they can give rise to skin irritation and other skin infections.

One of the simplest steps to get rid of green skin is to simply apply alcohol-based products like nail polish remover to the affected area of the skin.

Does alloy turn your skin green?

Using alloys can also potentially turn your skin green as alloys also consist of elements like copper and nickel which are responsible for turning your skin green. However, it also depends on the amalgamation of the alloy and its copper content.

To avoid it completely one can coat the alloy jewellery with rhodium or gold as these precious metals are reaction free and do not react with body fluids or moisture thus you can avoid such chemical reactions from taking place and prevent your skin from turning green.

Does Brass Turn Skin Green?

If not Coated or plated with precious metals such as pure silver, gold, platinum and rhodium Brass can potentially turn your skin green due to the presence of copper content in it.

The copper then comes in contact with your skin moisture and other acids and eventually oxidizes and the chemical reaction produces green residue which gives skin the colour green.

Does Sterling Silver Turn Skin Green?

Sterling silver can also be responsible for turning your skin green. Although pure sterling silver would not make your skin green however it cannot be used to make jewellery all by itself and therefore elements like copper and zinc are combined to be able to make jewellery out of it.

And hence because of the presence of elements like copper and their reactive nature after constant usage and constant exposure to moisture, it will eventually turn your skin green from the chemical reaction.

frequently asked questions

1. How do you keep brass from turning your skin green?

To avoid your skin turning green from the use of brass jewellery the most effective way is to coat or plate it with gold or other precious metals such as pure silver, platinum or rhodium as these metals are not highly reactive like copper.

Hence by doing so you can avoid chemical reactions from taking place and as these precious metals do not react with the skin moisture and other acids on your skin.

2. Is brass bad for your skin?

Brass is a durable and affordable means of jewellery. And most people prefer wearing brass as it resembles gold and is a great alternative.

However Brass contains elements like copper and nickel and which are responsible to cause skin infections when used constantly or for a long period.

Usually, people with sensitive skin experience these infections. However Brass is still a safe metal and preferably a good choice for making jewellery keeping in mind all its advantages.

3. What metals turn your skin green?

Coming in contact with metals or jewellery made up of copper can turn your skin green.

Elements like copper are highly reactive to moisture and acids on your skin and thus after constant usage, you may see your skin turn into green colour due to the copper undergoing certain chemical reactions to give out the green residue or substance which turns your skin green in colour.

4. What metal will not turn your skin green?

To avoid getting your skin colour changed to green, the most effective metal to choose to wear would be gold, pure silver or other stainless metals like platinum or rhodium which are corrosion resistant and do not react with moisture or acid on your skin.

Also if Brass jewellery is coated with these precious metals like gold, silver, platinum and rhodium it would not react with your skin fluids or moisture, unlike copper.

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