by Helena Liden

Did you ever wonder why your earlobes sometimes turn black from wearing silver jewelry? Silver oxidizes from hydrogen sulfides in the air we breathe and causes silver to tarnish. This is not a quick reaction, though, and does not explain the blackening of your skin just on the day when you are wearing a specific piece of jewelry! Silver jewelry blackened from lying on a dresser is more a sign of neglect, inadvertent as it may be. Also, there is no such thing as ”cheap” sterling silver. Either it is sterling or it isn’t, as anyone who has taken a class from Blair would know.

However, often we ourselves are the culprits for causing silver jewelry to blacken our skin. Many foundations and powders are mineral based containing e.g. titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. These compounds work as abrasives on silver when the piece of jewelry rubs against the skin resulting in a fine black residue that is oh so visible on the skin. Furthermore, perfumes, medications, creams, hormones, etc. may play a role.