# Why does my silver ring turn my finger green?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-silver-ring-turn-my-finger-green/144316>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 22, 2002, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-silver-ring-turn-my-finger-green/144316 "2002-12-22T03:53:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![miabalou](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/74df32/32.png) [@miabalou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miabalou)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2002, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-silver-ring-turn-my-finger-green/144316/1 "2002-12-22T03:53:09Z")

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This may sound silly, but I just recieved a sterling silver ring that is turning my finger green. I know this happens to people often, but I do not know why or how to prevent it. I have never had a problem wearing silver before, and I really like the ring. Any suggestions?

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**Author:** ![MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bb73d2/32.png) [@MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MC_Master_of_Ceremonies)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2002, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-silver-ring-turn-my-finger-green/144316/2 "2002-12-22T03:57:34Z")

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It sounds like the ring isn’t silver as silver is an unreactive metal.

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**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2002, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-silver-ring-turn-my-finger-green/144316/3 "2002-12-22T04:00:59Z")

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My guess would be that it’s the copper in the alloy reacting with your skin. Sterling silver’s about 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. I would suggest seeing if you can get the inside of the ring coated with a lacquer. I used to make copper rings in shop class and we’d paint the inside with a clear lacquer to prevent the reaction.

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**Author:** ![andy\_fl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@andy\_fl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andy_fl)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2002, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-silver-ring-turn-my-finger-green/144316/4 "2002-12-22T04:08:12Z")

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The green color is Copper salts/oxides. Also called verdigris.

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**Author:** ![miabalou](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/74df32/32.png) [@miabalou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miabalou)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2002, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-silver-ring-turn-my-finger-green/144316/5 "2002-12-22T05:36:30Z")

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Thanks to all for the promt reply. I will call the company where the ring was purchased to see if I can find out the ratio (to satisfy my curiosity), then I will see about getting it coated. This is my first time inside a message board, thanks again.