Anyone that tests gold should know to get under the surface of the
metal to test. If that was done I would suspect it is 14k. The “PC”
could be a hallmark of the maker. If it was just “P” that would be
Plumb not plated. It could be one of the alloys used in the current
tested ring that is the problem or a number of other problems.
Pregnant, taking medicine that can cause allergic reactions, hot tub
or swimming pool water high in chlorine, etc. First, I would go back
to the test and make sure the jeweler did get under the surface of
the metal. Then move on from there.
There was another thread talking about the same thing in regards to
argentium silver rings. Some of the things that I remember cause
blackness with jewelry are cosmetics causing the surface of the metal
to abrade leaving a black film on the wearer’s finger. Here is a link
with even more reasons and I know I have seen in
literature from other jewelry wholesalers and jewelers.
Thought I would throw in my 2 cents. I have had this problem myself
off and on over the years and it was any gold ring I wore though it
could be to different degrees. I came to the conclusion that is was a
hormone reaction… Always seemed to happen around my period and
would only last a few days. Hasn’t happened in a while now but I am
at that age where I don’t have to deal with that part of the womanly
world so makes sense to me! Wonder if men have this problem??
Here are another 2 cents, I have a couple of clients that can only
wear gold above 22k or more. Anything less and it looks like a
tattoo around their finger. I personally can no longer work with
white gold unless it is nickel free so I have come to the
unscientific conclusion that it comes down to alloys, specifically
zinc and nickel. The hormone theory is really interesting, I am going
to start paying more attention and see if I can see a pattern.
I have seen this many times when I was a nurse, where a person’s skin
turns black from wearing gold (and often silver) jewelry. It may be
that this person has an iron deficiency and that there is nothing at
all wrong with her jewelry. I know that many lotions contain certain
salts that also can cause a black mark around ones finger underneath
rings. It happens to me all the time at work and I KNOW my wedding
ring is solid 18K.
I would suggest to her that she first have her rings thoroughly
cleaned, removing anything in the underside (trapped dirt and oils)
that build up and cause skin discoloration. I will often coat the
underside of my rings with clear nail polish to avoid the markings.
Also she may want to increase dark green leafy vegetables in her
diet. (I take iron supplements when I am a little anemic)
Has anyone mentioned the possibity of an allergic reaction to the
gold’s alloys? Copper being a common irritant. My suggestion would be
to try wearing either a higher karat gold or Platinum and see if that
makes any difference.
Penny, I think you have solved the problem. My friend does suffer
from slight anemia. I will tell her to check with her doctor about
iron supplements, and to add more green leafy vegetables to her diet.
I was intrigued with your speculation as to this issue; in my case,
however I’v noticed that it only happens at specific times; maybe
lending credence the idea that it may be hormonally linked.
Does anyone know if this has happened to any males?
I’ve been giving some thought on this one, it’s puzzling. I note that
the ring itself does not turn black, to my mind this rules out
chemical change happening to the ring itself. One thing I do recall,
however, that sebum(skin oil) turns black when oxidized. This why
blackheads have their colouration. My suspicion is that in certain
circumstances the gold is catalyzing the oxidation of sebum on the
skin, causing this black streak. Mind, at this point it’s just a
hypothesis.
OK, this really dates me & the time I’ve spent in this industry.
Years ago, the early 70’s I believe, JCK & some of the other trades
of the time began reporting on the occurences of rings turning the
finger black (or simply “finger black”). They actually had some labs
working on this problem, because customers began believing the urban
legend that if your finger was turning black from your ring, it was
"inferior gold" (whatever that was) & began turning their wrath
towards those terrible jewelers. Turns out that many cosmetics
contained metals. It would have the effect of micro sandpaper to the
gold. The black was the remnants of fine gold powder. Seeing that
the problem still exists, I have to assume that cosmetics still
contain metals. Some things never change.
Seeing that the problem still exists, I have to assume that
cosmetics still contain metals.
I’m pretty sure they don’t have to contain metals, merely minerals,
and they all definitely do contain minerals. Even talc will probably
rub off a little gold, if you think about it. Iron oxide, zinc oxide,
tin-- I’m sure they’ve gotta be in a lot of cosmetics. What else are
they going to make them out of? These are the stuff the whole world
is made of! I think the trick might be to get people to just wash
their hands more!
because customers began believing the urban legend that if your
finger was turning black from your ring, it was "inferior gold"
I had a girlfriend back in the 1980’s that every time she drank Gin
& Tonics her fingers would turn black underneath her gold rings. This
phenomenon would happen about an hour after her first drink. The
Tonic must have changed her body chemistry for this to occur.