| WHY DOES GOLD DISCOLOR FINGERS? |
- The most common reason is metallic abrasion, caused by makeup on skin or clothing. Cosmetics often contain compounds harder than the jewelry itself, which wear or rub off very tiny particles. Very finely divided metal always appears black rather than metallic, so it looks like a jet-black dust. When this dust comes into contact with absorbent surfaces such as skin or clothing, it sticks, forming a black smudge. You can help prevent this by removing your jewelry before applying cosmetics. After applying cosmetics, you should wash the skin areas that will come in contact with your jewelry with soap and water.
- Another cause is actually corrosion of the metals. Gold itself does not corrode, but its primary alloys of silver or copper will do so forming very dark chemical compounds under moist or wet conditions. Whey the body perspires; fats and fatty acids released can cause corrosion of 14Karat gold, especially when exposed to warmth and air. This problem can be worse in seacoast and semitropical areas, where chlorides combine with perspiration to form a corrosive element that discolors skin. Smog fumes gradually attack jewelry and are evident as a tarnish that rubs off on the skin. You can help prevent this problem by removing jewelry often and using an absorbent powder, free of abrasives, on skin that comes into contact with jewelry. Even the design of jewelry can be an influence. Wide shanks have more surface area to contact abrasives or corrosives. Concave surfaces inside a shank form collection points that trap moisture and contaminants, also causing a type of dermatitis. You can help prevent this problem by removing your jewelry before washing your hands with soaps, cleaning compounds or detergents. It also helps to clean your rings frequently.
- If the aforementioned suggestions don’t help with the discoloring of skin, then it is recommended that you switch to 18 Karat gold or platinum. The lower alloy content of 18 Karat gold-25% versus almost 42%-significantly reduces the problem, and the use of platinum should eliminate it completely.
|
| STONE COLORS |
RED
Carnelian
Coral
Garnet
Ruby
Spinel
Tourmaline |
ORANGE
Amber
Carnelian
Citrine
Coral
Fire Opal
Garnet
Sapphire
Topaz |
Yellow
Amber
Beryl
Citrine
Garnet
Sapphire
Topaz |
GREEN
Emerald
Garnet
Jade
Malachite
Peridot
Tourmaline |
Violet
Iolite
TanzaniteBlue-Green
Aquamarine
Topaz
Tourmaline
Turquoise |
PURPLE
Amethyst
Garnet
Sapphire
Sugilite
SpinelBlue
Lapis Lazuli
Sapphire
Topaz
Tourmaline
Zircon |
PINK
Coral
Garnet
Kunzite
Morganite
Pearl
Rose Quartz
Sapphire
Topaz
Tourmaline |
BROWN
Amber
Chrysoberyl
Garnet
Sard
Smoky Quartz
Topaz |
| BIRTHSTONES |
| Month |
Birthstone |
Genuine Stone |
| January |
Garnet |
Garnet |
| February |
Amethyst |
Amethyst |
| March |
Aquamarine |
Aquamarine |
| April |
White Sapphire |
Diamond |
| May |
Green Spinel |
Emerald |
| June |
Alexandrite |
Pearl or Moonstone |
| July |
Ruby |
Ruby |
| August |
Peridot |
Sardonyx / Peridot |
| September |
Sapphire |
Sapphire |
| October |
Rose Zircon |
Opal / Tourmaline |
| November |
Golden Sapphire |
Topaz |
| December |
Blue Zircon |
Turquoise |
|
