When you perspire, fats and fatty acids released can cause corrosion of 14-karat gold, especially when exposed to warmth and air. This problem can be worse in seacoast and semitropical areas, where chlorides combine with perspiration to form a corrosive element that discolors skin. Smog fumes gradually attack jewelry and are evident as a tarnish that rubs off on the skin. We suggest that you remove jewelry often and use an absorbent powder, free of abrasives, on skin that comes into contact with jewelry. Even the design of jewelry can be an influence.
Wide shanks have more surface area to contact abrasives or corrosives.
Concave surfaces inside a shank form collection points that trap moisture and contaminants, also causing a type of dermatitis. We also recommend that you remove all rings before using soaps, cleaning compounds or detergents, and clean your rings frequently. In addition to these corrective actions, we recommend that you switch to 18-karat gold or platinum.