How to Keep a Ring from Turning Your Finger Green

Co-authored by Kennon Young

Last Updated: June 17, 2021

Costume jewelry is a fun way to change your look, but green stains on your fingers are no fun at all! Sometimes the metals in inexpensive jewelry can oxidize and leave stains on your skin. By preventing the green stains, removing stains from your fingers, and choosing different jewelry, you can wear the jewelry you love without worry.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Preventing the Green Stains

1
Coat your ring with clear nail polish. Use clear nail polish to paint the inside of the ring and any other areas of the piece that come into contact with your finger. Let the ring rest on a clean plate for 20 minutes until it is completely dry before wearing.^{[1]
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- Note that for matte rings, applying clear polish will add shine to the piece.
- The nail polish will naturally wear off over time. To preserve your protective barrier, inspect your ring each time you wear it and reapply the polish as needed.
2
Use a polymer barrier between your skin and the ring. Apply a barrier product, such as Jeweler's Skin Guard, to the ring according to the manufacturer's directions. These specially products are formulated to seal the metal and protect your skin from staining.^{[2]
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- A single application of these products lasts for about 2 months. Reapply as needed, depending upon how often you wear your jewelry.
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3
Remove your jewelry before getting your hands wet. Avoid swimming, washing your hands, or showering with your rings on. Water accelerates the oxidation process that turns your rings green, and salt water in particular can erode your jewelry.^{[3]
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4
Avoid applying lotions, perfumes, and soaps with your ring on. Take off your rings when you get ready in the morning and every time you wash your hands. The acids in certain cleansers and beauty products can cause your rings to oxidize and speed up their deterioration.^{[4]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Removing Stains from Your Fingers

1
Try waterproof eye makeup remover. Dampen a cotton ball with waterproof eye makeup remover, which you can buy at your local beauty supply store. Rub the cotton ball back and forth over the stained area of your finger, paying particular attention to the areas of webbing between your fingers where staining can concentrate.
- This method is very gentle and best for small areas of staining.
- You can leave the makeup remover on your skin, there is no need to wash your hands unless desired.
2
Use a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol. Dampen a cotton ball with everyday rubbing alcohol from your local drug store. Rub the cotton ball around the area of staining, taking care to avoid any broken skin. While a little redness is normal in reaction to alcohol, stop if you feel any irritation developing.
- Wash your hands with tap water and soap after using the rubbing alcohol.
- Alcohol can dry out your skin, so apply hand lotion when you're finished to moisturize.
3
Use non-acetone nail polish remover. If your staining is extreme, dampen a cotton ball with non-acetone nail polish remover. Wipe the area of staining with the cotton ball, applying gentle pressure. When the stain is removed, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water and moisturize.
- Do not apply nail polish remover on broken or irritated skin.
- As nail polish remover is very abrasive, don't this method more than once a week.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Choosing Different Jewelry

1
Avoid copper, sterling silver, and other alloyed metals. Ask what a ring is made of before you buy it. Rings made from an alloy—multiple metals combined—rather than a pure metal are more prone to staining your finger.^{[5]
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- Copper and copper-alloys are the metals most likely to oxidize and turn green.
EXPERT TIP

Kennon Young
Certified Jeweler
Kennon Young is a Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Graduate Gemologist, an American Society of Appraisers (ASA) Master Gemologist Appraiser, and a Jewelers of America (JA) Certified Bench Jeweler Technician. He received the highest credential in the jewelry appraisal industry, the ASA Master Gemologist Appraiser, in 2016.

Kennon Young
Certified Jeweler

Our Expert Agrees: When your skin turns green, it's caused by an oxidation of the metal due to the acidity of your skin. Given that your skin isn't going to change its acidity, you need to wear different jewelry to prevent that from happening. Most likely, the green is a reaction from copper, so opt for jewelry made from materials like gold or platinum.
2
Choose stainless steel, rhodium, yellow gold, or white gold rings. Seek out rings of these metals, which are less prone to oxidation and deterioration. They're also less likely to cause skin allergies or rashes.^{[6]
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- Lots of online retailers specialize in jewelry for sensitive skin in these metals.
3
Wear necklaces and earrings instead of rings. Opt for jewelry that encounters less everyday wear than a ring. You use your hands a lot, which means your rings are exposed to lots of abrasive hand washing, lotion, and sanitizers. Earrings and necklaces are less likely to stain because they encounter less.
4
Avoid metals in favor of leather or beaded jewelry. Forego metals altogether in favor of jewelry that wears tougher. Leather, beaded silk, and even plastic can all endure a lot more abuse than some alloyed metals.^{[7]
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Expert Q&A

Question

Is it bad to wear a ring that turns your finger green?

Kennon Young
Certified Jeweler
Kennon Young is a Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Graduate Gemologist, an American Society of Appraisers (ASA) Master Gemologist Appraiser, and a Jewelers of America (JA) Certified Bench Jeweler Technician. He received the highest credential in the jewelry appraisal industry, the ASA Master Gemologist Appraiser, in 2016.

Kennon Young

Certified Jeweler

Expert Answer

It may be rather irritating than dangerous. I haven't heard that anyone had any major reactions to it, aside from minor skin irritations.