That green line under a ring or bracelet is one of the most common complaints about fashion jewellery. It is not dirt and it is usually not an allergy. It is chemistry.
What the green actually is
Most affordable jewellery contains copper. When copper meets the acids in your sweat and the oils on your skin it forms copper salts, which are green. The salts transfer onto your skin. Wash it off and it is gone, but the piece will keep doing it.
Why gold plating does not help for long
A thin gold flash over brass works until the plating wears at the contact points, which on a ring is the inside of the band and happens within weeks. After that the copper is in direct contact with skin.
Metals that never go green
- 316L stainless steel. No copper, no reaction. This is the core of every piece in our anti-tarnish collection.
- Titanium. Also inert but expensive to shape for fashion pieces.
- Solid gold above 18K. Lovely, but a different budget entirely.
A quick test for jewellery you already own
Hold a magnet to it. Stainless steel is usually slightly magnetic. Brass and copper are not. It is not perfect, but it is a useful clue.
What to buy instead
Swap the pieces that touch skin all day first: rings, bangles and daily chain pendants. You will notice the difference within a week.
Quick answers
Is the green mark harmful?
No. It is a surface stain from copper salts and washes off with soap. It is not an infection.
Why does it happen more in summer?
More sweat means more acid and moisture on the skin, which speeds up the reaction with copper.
Can I coat old jewellery with nail polish?
Clear polish is a short-term fix that wears off in days and can look cloudy. Replacing the ring with a steel one is the lasting answer.
Which Soul pieces are guaranteed copper-free?
Everything in the anti-tarnish collection is 316L steel.