One of the questions that I get most often is, “What is your jewelry made of? Will it turn my skin green?” I think most of us have probably had a bad experience with jewelry tarnishing and even discoloring our skin, so I’m not surprised that so many people have this concern. I once had a really yucky experience with pair of fashion earrings where all of the plating came off while I was wearing them, which caused infections that lasted for months! 😱

I think that this is a great question that is definitely worth addressing, so let’s talk metals!

Every single piece that I make is handcrafted with sterling silver, gold-fill, or stainless steel. That way, you don’t have to worry about skin irritations or discoloration. The price of fine metals has skyrocketed and quadrupled to an all time high in the past few months, but even though it’s so costly, I really think that it’s worth it to stick with high quality materials. Cheap jewelry is cheap for a reason, and that reason is usually the metal. I want to create a brand around beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces that won’t fall apart on you and won’t irritate your skin.

Sterling silver is considered a classic metal. It’s 92.5% pure silver mixed with a small amount of other metals (usually copper) for durability. It’s widely considered hypoallergenic and is a great option for people with sensitive skin. You may have seen the “925” stamp on silver jewelry, which signifies that it is sterling silver.

Can it tarnish? Yes, over time, sterling silver can darken with exposure to air and moisture, which is normal and not a sign of poor quality. When silver tarnishes, the surface of the metal is reacting to compounds in the air around it , which causes silver sulfide to form. A quick polish can bring sterling silver back to it’s bright shine. This oxidization process that sterling silver goes through is very different from a base metal turning green or brown. When base metal turns color, the metal is actually breaking down and when it comes into contact with your skin, the compounds transfer directly onto you.

Tarnish on sterling silver is like dust on a window, wipe it away and everything’s fine underneath. Base metal corrosion is more like rust, it means the metal itself is breaking down.

This one confuses people the most because it sounds fancy and a little mysterious. Gold-fill is NOT the same as gold-plated and that difference matters a lot.

Gold-plated jewelry is typically a paper-thin layer of gold applied over a base metal like brass or copper. That layer wears off quickly and what’s underneath can tarnish, corrode, and sometimes irritate skin.

Gold-fill is a completely different process. A thick, solid layer of real gold is mechanically bonded under heat and pressure to a base of brass. By law, gold-fill must contain at least 5% gold by weight, which is a dramatically thicker layer than gold-plated. It’s durable, long-lasting, and hypoallergenic. With normal wear and basic care, gold-fill pieces can last years, even decades.

When I use gold-fill in a piece, you’re getting the warm, rich look of gold without the price tag of solid gold and without the worry of it flaking or fading quickly.

Okay, here’s the one that surprises people the most…most of the chains I use are stainless steel, including the gold colored ones.

Whenever people ask me, “What are your chains made out of?” and I say, “Stainless steel,” they often reply with, “What about the gold ones?” Most people assume that stainless steel only comes in a gun metal silver tone, but technology has advanced so much where stainless steel is now commonly dipped in yellow gold, to give you the same benefits as the original version, but just in a different color.

Stainless steel is incredibly durable, highly resistant to tarnish and corrosion, and one of the most hypoallergenic metals you can wear. It doesn’t react with moisture, sweat, or skin the way cheaper metals do. It’s the same material used in surgical instruments and implants, so you can rest assured that it is safe for daily wear.

The gold-dipped stainless steel chains give you that beautiful golden look while being just as tough and skin-friendly as the silver versions and you don’t have to worry about the color coming off.

The best thing about stainless steel jewelry is that it can be worn in water and you don’t have to worry about it tarnishing or corroding, so if you’re someone who never takes your jewelry off, I recommend this material.

I’ve been professionally making jewelry for nearly 14 years and I wear my own pieces constantly, so it’s important to me to use high quality materials that will last and feel comfortable. This is especially a big deal living here in Hawaii where the humidity, saltwater, and sun can be brutal on jewelry.

I want you to wear your Skinny Pig pieces and be able to forget that you’re wearing them in the best possible way. No checking in the mirror to see if your ears are turning red. No wondering if that necklace survived your beach day. You should always be able to wear your jewelry with that peace of mind and I think it starts with the metals.

Every listing on my website tells you exactly what metal is used in each piece. If you ever have any questions about a specific piece, please feel free to DM me on Instagram or send me an email to hello@skinnypigdesigns.com