The query “will 925 sterling silver turn skin green” addresses a common concern regarding jewelry and its interaction with the wearer’s skin. This phenomenon, characterized by a greenish discoloration on the skin where jewelry has been worn, raises questions about the composition and potential reactions associated with silver alloys.
Understanding the likelihood of this discoloration is important for consumers purchasing and wearing jewelry. While pure silver is relatively inert, sterling silver, denoted by the “925” hallmark, contains 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, typically copper. The presence of copper is the key factor in whether discoloration occurs. Copper reacts with moisture, sweat, and other substances on the skin to form copper compounds, which are green. Historical context reveals that the inclusion of base metals like copper in silver alloys was necessary to enhance the metal’s durability and workability, leading to this potential side effect.
