Black earrings

[pt18]

Hi all

I made a pair of earrings for a customer in 9ct gold. They are making her ears black. This doesn't happen with any of her other 9ct gold earrings. Is it because I didn't put them in the pickle long enough? Anything I can do? Would plating them work?

Thanks

[CJ57]

You don’t say how they fit so it maybe that the findings might not be solid gold and she is reacting to the base metal. It seems strange though if she hasn’t had a problem before. Are the earrings going black or just her skin?

[pt18]

It's 9ct solid gold wire with no fittings, just hooks.

[pt18]

and sorry just her skin!

[Dennis]

It depends a little bit where you bought the gold wire. If it is a recognised bullion dealer then enquire first whether your customer is using a new cosmetic.
9carat does tarnish, due to the high copper content. Were they well polished and cleaned before you gave them out?
In any case, all you can do now is to change he earhooks for a higher carat. Dennis.

[pt18]

It depends a little bit where you bought the gold wire. If it is a recognised bullion dealer then enquire first whether your customer is using a new cosmetic.
9carat does tarnish, due to the high copper content. Were they well polished and cleaned before you gave them out?
In any case, all you can do now is to change he earhooks for a higher carat. Dennis.

Hi
The wire was from Cookson and is hallmarked. They were quite well polished I'd say but all I can think of is that they weren't put in the pickle long enough.
thanks for your help.

[CJ57]

If they were polished up and well washed her ears shouldn’t be going black unless she’s wearing them in the shower and they are reacting with a product. It’s one of those what is the customer doing or the wire isn’t as it was sold. I’ve seen a lot of posts on another forum about jewellery going black having been worn in the hot tub not the other way round. It’s difficult to tell when a customer is involved, sorry I haven’t been much help