zirconia studs

Anyone who has bought cheap-but-fun jewelry knows the heartbreak of having it turn your skin green after just a few hours (or days) of wear. Earrings, specifically, seem unusually vulnerable to this. When you’re shopping for earrings that won’t turn your ears green, you need to know a little chemistry.

Let me explain: The naturally occurring acids in your skin (or in your lotion or perfume) interact with the metals that you wear. This is why some jewelry turns skin green. Some of us have more or less of these acids than others, which is why earrings that don’t trigger a reaction for certain people, might leave a stain on someone else. This greenish coloring is generally harmless and goes away on its own, although that doesn’t mean it’s not irritating to deal with.

What To Look For When Shopping For Earrings That Won’t Turn Your Ears Green

First, it helps to understand the types of metals to avoid. As far as what metal turns skin green, there are a few repeat offenders. Copper is a common additive that is responsible for those notorious green hues, but silver can also stain your skin dark green or black as a result of the same chemical reaction. Gold may turn your skin green depending on what metal alloy it’s mixed with.

The metals that are least likely to turn your skin green include options like platinum and rhodium — both precious metals that do not tarnish (platinum never needs to be replated, though rhodium will after a few years). For the budget-minded, stainless steel and titanium are nice picks as well.

In a hurry? Here are the best earrings that won’t turn your ears green:

1. A Pair Of Classic Cubic Zirconia Studs For Extra Sparkle: Amazon