Is it possible to prevent a brass ring from leaving a mark on my skin?

August 22, 2019 11:45 AM

I got a lovely brass ring, only to realize that it turns my skin green/black after a couple of hours. What's the permanent solution? Is there one?

I have been painting the inside with clear nail polish but that wears off with hand-washing and general finger friction. Plus I can't help picking at it once it gets loose.

What's the permanent solution? Is there one? Should I get it plated with silver or gold? Is that even possible? Is there some kind of longer-lasting sealant that's better than nail polish?

posted by cranberrymonger to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (11 answers total)

My wedding ring is brass, and the fella who hand-made it put in a thin layer of silver for exactly that reason. I have no idea how much that actually costs, as he went out of business for trying too hard and charging too little, but probably not too much.
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 11:48 AM on August 22, 2019 [1 favorite]

I had a ring like that once that did the same thing. I painted it with clear nail polish, it worked for a while.
posted by mareli at 12:09 PM on August 22, 2019

Jewelry shield/coating consumer products exist, but I don't have personal experience with them. Here's a lacquer sealant marketed to jewelry makers.
posted by Iris Gambol at 12:45 PM on August 22, 2019

I have painted the inside of brass jewelry with clear nail polish as well. Works well - needs to be reapplied occasionally.
posted by hepta at 1:04 PM on August 22, 2019 [2 favorites]

Can you return it?
posted by oceanjesse at 4:54 PM on August 22, 2019

Best answer: I'd try finishing.com FAQs: Silver Plating at Home. Evidently you can basically dunk brass/copper in these liquids and get a very thin silver coating. Nail polish the outside, silver plate the inside, remove the polish. May not be any more durable than the nail painting you've already tried.

I might also try sanding the inside a tiny bit and using a thin coat of expoxy instead of the nail polish with the hope that it's more durable.

Is it the ring itself or the look of the brass that make you want to keep wearing it? You could probably electroplate the whole thing in another metal. If you really want to wear it that regularly maybe just take it to a jeweler and get something permanent done.
posted by zengargoyle at 8:50 PM on August 22, 2019 [3 favorites]

Response by poster: Thanks everyone.

I really do want to keep the ring; it was a custom order and I absolutely love it, and it's not the artist's fault that I react to brass.

Thanks especially to zenagargoyle for that really great article.
posted by cranberrymonger at 9:26 PM on August 22, 2019

Maybe whatever Mod Podge version is made for metal? I'm only guessing, but I'd think it would make a longer-lasting solution than clear nail polish.
posted by stormyteal at 10:29 PM on August 22, 2019

I'm wondering if you wear it enough, if it will patina and no longer discolor your skin. That's what happens to me with copper jewelry. Worth a try?
posted by fiercecupcake at 10:05 AM on August 23, 2019

Some jewelers will do plating for you! I see you are in Toronto- maybe try a place like this?
posted by catrae at 2:24 PM on August 23, 2019

FYI I’m not a metallurgist but I studied jewelry making in art college - brass is an alloy containing copper, so it's going to turn green in direct contact anyone's skin.
posted by bonobothegreat at 5:30 PM on August 23, 2019 [1 favorite]