But there’s one drawback with this accessible jewelry - it leaves greenish-blue marks on the skin. This occurs because the metal is very quick to oxidize. Oxidation is the process where a material - in this case, copper - changes when it comes in contact with oxygen molecules in air or water. Oxidation is why many metal statues containing copper often get covered in a green patina over time. A widely known example is the Statue of Liberty.
In the case of your jewelry, however, the culprit behind the green stains is usually sweat, soap, or lotion. These liquids react with the jewelry and make it oxidize, turning the metal green. This is also why you will get those green stains on some days but not on others.
Interestingly, even jewelry that claims to be gold or silver sometimes tarnishes. That’s because very few jewelry pieces are actually made of 100% gold or silver; other materials, such as copper or nickel are usually mixed in as well for durability or price reduction.
First things first - if you get the green stains, don’t worry. They’re not dangerous and can be easily washed away with water. But if you’re looking to prevent the stains from recurring altogether, here are a few tips:
1. Avoid using lotion or soap when you have the jewelry on. For example, if you have to wash your hands, take off the ring before washing your hands and put it back on once your hands are clean and dry.
2. Don’t exercise while wearing copper jewelry or wear it in hot weather. Sweat can trigger copper oxidation, so avoid wearing your copper necklaces during a workout, a hike, or a swim.
3. Opt for metals that don’t oxidize, such as stainless steel, rhodium-plated jewelry, or silver and gold.
4. Coat the inside of the jewelry with clear nail polish. The coat of nail polish will protect the metal from oxidizing. This trick works wonders with copper rings, but it might be trickier to do with necklaces or jewelry items with intricate details. You can reapply when the initial coat of nail polish flakes off.
We hope you found this post useful.
If so, please share it with others!
H/T: Insider, Mental Floss
7 Useful Tips for Preventing TICKS in Your Yard and Garden
Keeping ticks away from your yard and garden is easier than you think. Just follow these 7 useful tips, and you're golden!
Doctor Tip: How to Prevent Ingrown Hair
In this insightful video, Dr. Adedeji shares her expertise on preventing ingrown hairs.
How to Remove Salt Stains From Fabrics, Shoes & Flooring
Salt stains are more common than you think. Learn to remove them effectively from your shoes, clothes, car interior, and floors in this useful guide.
Have You Heard This One? The Old Man and the Diamond Ring...
An old man walks into a jeweler with a beautiful young lady. He starts asking for expensive rings. Is marriage on the cards?
A Stress Rash Is a Real Thing, Here’s Why It’s Important!
It’s true, a stressful day can truly make some people break out in hives!
Can Wearing a Mask Protect You From the Coronavirus?
With each new virus outbreak, people start wearing masks as protection from the disease, but are these as effective as we think they are?
One of These Facts May Save Your Life One Day
10 simple facts that we should all know, because they may save us some day.
Keep Baldness Away the Natural Way...
How do we stop our hair from falling out and encourage natural growth? I do it by using these tips!
Surprising Ways to Use ChapStick You Might Not Know About
Here are some of my favorite uses for this unassuming household product.
Woah! Who Knew Baby Powder Was This Useful in the Garden?
If you have excess baby powder lying around your house, you'll be pleased to know that it has plenty of uses in the garden.
The Egg Secret Tips You Never Knew...
This video shows you some of the best egg life hacks you never knew you needed, but now you'll see them - use all the time!
Learn the Banana Tricks You Always Wanted to Know
You're Going to Love This Handy Banana Trick
8 Super Handy Grocery Bag Tips You Have to Try
Whether you prefer paper or plastic, there are enough hacks here to really boost your bag usage. These tips will save you time, money and space. Perfect!
Do NOT Store These Fruit and Veg Together!
What are the best ways to store fresh fruit and vegetables? This guide explains.
Worried About Rodents? 5 Signs You Have an Infestation
If you are unsure whether or not rats or mice have made a nest in your home, then the warning signs below are bound to give you a good indication.
17 Original and Neat Ways to Tie Your Shoelaces
A minor alteration in the way we tie our shoelaces can have a great impact on comfort and visual appeal. Learn 17 different ways of tying your shoelaces.
Try this Ancient Indian Method for Removing Body Hair
An ancient and natural method that both men and women have been using for centuries to get rid of unnecessary hair from their bodies.
8 Hypoallergenic Indoor Plants for Easy Breathing
We have discovered eight plant varieties that are recommended for growing and will keep allergies at bay!
DIY: Make Your Own Chemical Free Gel Air Freshener
Gel air fresheners smell wonderful, but they're often filled with chemicals. Make your own chemical-free air freshener with this DIY.
9 Body Language Mistakes You Don’t Even Know You’re Making
most communication between people is through body language, make sure you're not conveying the wrong messages by avoiding the 9 mistakes.
A Better Way to Tie Your Gym Shorts or any Drawstring
Here's a nice new knot for you to try that is both incredibly strong and easy to do.
These Pots and Pans Storage Solutions Are an Absolute Must
If you have a small kitchen or if your cabinet space is limited, then you need to read this.
An A-Z of Carpet Cleaning - The Ultimate Guide!
There are so many different kinds of carpet stains that it's hard to know how to clean them all. Here is the ultimate A-Z carpet cleaning guide.
14 Ingenious Organization Hacks to Declutter Your Closet
Here are 14 incredibly clever and easy tips and tricks everyone can master to organize your closet and make it a lot more spacious.
HEARING LOSS: How to Keep Your Hearing Strong for Longer
It's not just age that steals away our hearing, but also bad listening habits that damage our ears. Here are 10 tips to help keep your hearing strong.
16 Human Foods You Can Share With Your Dog or Cat
In this article, we will present you with 8 foods for dogs and 8 foods for cats.
Click to See Unbelievable Uses for These Household Items
Click to learn more! We've collected Ba-bamail's best list of tips and alternative uses for things you've got lying around the house.
Don't Throw Out Old Makeup! Here's What You Can Do...
12 helpful uses you can put your expired or unsuitable makeup items
12 Recipes That'll Add Much Needed Green to Your Diet
If your kids or you hate eating your greens, try these 12 recipes and enjoy the health benefit without the taste you don't like.
Used Teabags Don’t Belong in the Trash! Use Them Like So
If you’re a regular tea-drinker, then hold onto your teabags after each cup and make good use of them at home with these tricks.
Keep Food Daisy Fresh: Here's the Secret
Food wastage is always a shame, and that's why we should all do our best to avoid it as much as possible.
Make Your Home Look Expensive With These Low-Cost Tips
Transform the look of your home with these low-cost tips and tricks.
How to Remove Ugly Water Stains from Wooden Furniture
Water stains can destroy the look of your wooden furniture and floors. Here's how you can remove them.
WATCH: 10 Amazing Life-Hacks You Wish You Knew Years Ago
If there were only 10 life-hacks you needed to learn, these would be them.
10 Things You SHOULDN'T Store on Top of Your Refrigerator
Learn why these items shouldn't be stored on the top of your fridge.
10 Fantastic Food Hacks To Try At Home
Make your culinary experience as good as it can be using these 10 neat little kitchen hacks.
DIY: Make Your Own Wall Stencil in 8 Easy Steps
Get a designer look for half the price. This easy DIY guide will show you how to make a beautiful wall stencil in 8 easy steps.
DIY Corner: A Cool Technique for Christmas Decorations!
This is how you can use packing tape to make a sticker out of anything. Sounds too easy? It truly is!
Challenge Your Friends to 10 Bets They Can Never Win!
Amaze and annoy your friends by showing them off with these 10 "unbeatable" bets!
How to Prepare Matcha, the Healthiest Drink on the Market!
Matcha green tea is one of the healthiest drinks out there and this is how you can make it yourself.
The Essential Cheat Sheet for Every Fashionista
Everyone will be able to get something useful from these fashion and clothing care infographics.
Impress Your Friends and Family with These 12 Magic Tricks
Check out these 12 simple yet astonishing magic tricks that require nothing but a couple of packs of cards and some common household items.
Some Great and Cheap Ways You Can Remove Rust from Metal
Where's there's metal, there's rust - it's an ever annoying problem. These remedies allow you to restore rusty items without using harmful chemicals!
If You Love Dogs, Then Avoid Doing These Things With Them
Even though you love your dog, you might be annoying it with some of your habits. Watch to find out more...
7 Easy, Low-Carb and Guilt-Free Pasta Recipes
Pasta is one of the most popular dishes in the world, and rightfully so – it’s easy to make, delicious, and the sauce options are numerous. Enjoy these 7 recipes that will make your cuisine dreams a reality.
18 Must-Know Survival Hacks for Those Tricky Moments
These clever survival hacks can help save your life someday.
Pears Aren't Just Yummy, They're Incredibly Healthy Too
No wonder the ancient Greeks believed pears were a gift from the Gods! There are loads of health benefits contained in these juicy wonders...