# My jewelry turned black, green or scratched: causes and fixes

> A quick guide to jewelry problems: black silver, green finger, reddish chain, loose stone, scratches, dull gold, cloudy stone. Cause and fix.

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/what-happened-to-my-jewelry/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-08-10
- Updated: 2026-08-11
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/mi-joya-ha-cambiado-que-le-pasa/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

---

Almost every change in a jewel has a chemical or mechanical explanation. This guide sums them up.

## My jewelry turned black

Silver reacts with sulfur in the air and in some products and forms sulfide, which is black. It does not mean it is fake. See [why silver tarnishes](https://www.711grados.com/en/why-does-silver-turn-black/) and [how to clean it](https://www.711grados.com/en/how-to-clean-silver-jewelry/).

## My ring leaves a green mark on my finger

It is usually the copper in the alloy or base metal reacting with sweat and cosmetics; it is not always an allergy. See [why jewelry turns the skin green](https://www.711grados.com/en/why-does-jewelry-turn-skin-green/).

## My chain has turned reddish

The copper in an alloy, or in the inner layer if it is plated, shows when the plating wears or oxidizes. Gentle cleaning often helps; if it is plated, the colored layer cannot be recovered without plating again. See [gold plated, filled and vermeil](https://www.711grados.com/en/gold-plated-filled-vermeil-and-solid/).

## My stone has come loose

Prongs open or wear with use. **Stop wearing the jewel** and take it to the jeweler: repairing a prong in time avoids losing the stone. See [prong repair](https://www.711grados.com/en/prong-retipping/).

## The gold looks worn

Solid gold does not wear away, but plated or filled gold does lose its layer. If it is solid, the fine scratches that dull the shine can be polished out. See [how to clean gold](https://www.711grados.com/en/how-to-clean-gold-jewelry/).

## My jewel has scratches

Surface scratches on metals can be polished. On plated jewelry, polishing removes the layer. See [polishing](https://www.711grados.com/en/polishing-and-buffing-metal/) and [professional maintenance](https://www.711grados.com/en/professional-jewelry-maintenance/).

## The stone has lost its shine

It is usually dirt, soap or grease dulling the stone. Wash it in warm water with a soft brush, unless it is a delicate stone. If it is scratched, it has to be repolished. See [cleaning jewelry with stones](https://www.711grados.com/en/how-to-clean-gemstone-jewelry/).

## More repairs

Broken chain, a clasp that does not work, a deformed ring: see [how to fix a broken chain](https://www.711grados.com/en/how-to-fix-a-broken-chain/) and [jewelry restoration and repair](https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelry-repair-and-restoration/).