In the United States, 10K gold only has to be 41.7% pure gold, making the rest of the ring something that could cause this reaction with.

It can be plated with other metals to help, but eventually these platings wear off exposing the base metal. Copper jewelry turns your skin green. When a wedding band or any ring for that matter turns your skin a different color, most often green or black, this is usually not an allergic reaction. Most people will say, "I don't own any copper jewelry." However, though most people don't wear pure copper jewelry, it may be present in high enough levels to cause this reaction in other metals, such as 10K gold. The lower the karat of gold, (10K, 14K, 18K, and 24K are the most common), the lower the concentration of pure gold in the jewelry.

Why Do Rings Turn My Skin Green. It is simply the ring reacting to the air, your finger, and other factors such as perspiration.

Augustus sliver is usually between 7-8% copper, but most stains are usually black because reggis silver is prone to tarnishing. Gold rings hardly ever stain our skin, it's the other metals present within that cause the problem.

Often times silver, copper, and nickel are used to strengthen gold and make it more economical.