Real gold does not tarnish—it is chemically inert and resistant to corrosion. Yet, a lot of jewelry owners see their gold jewelry turn green, black, or lose its shine due to tarnish. Does this mean it is fake? No, not always.
In this article, we will answer the following questions: does real gold tarnish, does real gold turn black, and does real gold turn green? We will also explain why your gold jewelry may have lost its luster and how to remove tarnish from gold jewelry.
What is Real Gold?
Real gold is a naturally occurring precious metal known for its distinctive bright yellow color, luster, and resistance to corrosion. It’s not just a metal, it is legacy, faith, power, love, and wisdom compressed into a shining element. Real gold jewelry is any piece of jewelry that contains a significant amount of pure gold. Therefore, solid gold (24K, 22K, 18K, 14K, & 10K), gold-plated, gold vermeil, and gold-filled jewelry are all real gold jewelry. In this blog, we mainly talk about solid gold.
Why Does Gold Jewelry Turn Black, Green, or Tarnish?
If real gold doesn’t tarnish or lose its color, then why does gold jewelry turn green, black or lose its bright color due to tarnish? Well, this is because most gold jewelry pieces are not produced from pure gold only. They are instead made from an alloy of gold and other metals (like copper, nickel, and silver) to improve the jewelry’s strength and durability.
Unfortunately, these alloyed metals react with sweat, skin acids, air, and chemicals, causing tarnish and discoloration. Copper, for example, oxidizes with salty sweat or chlorine to form green stains or black copper oxide. Silver reacts with sulfur from air pollution or cosmetics to create black silver sulfide tarnish. And when base metals like nickel or brass are exposed to chlorine from pools or bleach, their corrosion is accelerated, causing faster discoloration.
However, there are tarnish-free gold jewelry type that are specially crafted to resist discoloration, fading, or surface dullness over a long period of time. Examples are solid gold, gold-filled, and PVD gold-plated jewelry. They are produced using a high quantity of gold, so they are less likely to react with air, water, or chemicals.
Does Real Gold Tarnish Over Time?
No, real gold or pure (24K) gold does not tarnish, corrode, or rust because it is chemically stable and doesn’t react with oxygen, moisture, sulfur, or most acids.
However, most jewelry isn’t made of pure gold. To make different types of gold jewelry more durable and affordable, manufacturers blend pure gold with other metals like silver or copper to make 9k/10k/14k/18k/22k solid gold.
These metals are reactive, so they can oxidize or corrode, causing the jewelry to appear darker, duller, or even slightly tarnished. That is why over long periods, even high-karat gold jewelry may show minor wear or discoloration. But this is only from the alloy components, not the gold itself.
In addition, everyday elements like sweat, perfume, sunscreen, humidity, and air pollution can leave residues on your gold jewelry and make it look less lustrous. This dulling effect is often mistaken for tarnish, but it’s just surface buildup not a sign of permanent damage.
Does Real Gold Turn Black or Green?
The table below shows the gold content and tarnish resistance of different gold karats. It also answers the question: does real gold turn green or black?
As seen in the table above, real gold (24K) doesn’t change color, turn black or green. The black color or greenish tint that you may have noticed in your gold jewelry comes from the metal alloys that the gold is mixed with. For example, a 14K gold ring (58% gold + copper/silver) might leave a green stain on your finger in humid weather or after swimming. This is not the gold; it’s the copper reacting. So, ensure you go through the waterproof gold jewelry guide to know if your jewelry can withstand water.
| Gold Karat | Gold Content | Tarnish Resistance | Turn Black | Turn Green | Durability |
| 24K | 99.90% | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ❌ No | ❌ No | ⚠️ Very Soft |
| 22K | 91.60% | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ❌ Rare | ❌ Rare | ⚠️ Soft |
| 18K/14k/10k | 75%/58.3%/41.7% | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⚠️ Possible | ⚠️ Possible | ✅ Durable |
| 9K | 37.50% | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⚠️ Possible | ⚠️ Possible | ✅ Very Durable |
| *Note: Except for 24k pure gold, which never changes color, all other gold containing alloys may experience slight color changes or appear dull over time. However, since their gold content is much higher than gold-plated jewelry, the discoloration is usually subtle. | |||||
If Gold Turns Black or Green, Is It Fake?
This brings us to the next set of questions: if gold turns black, is it fake or if gold turns green, is it fake? The answer is No. Gold turning green or black does not automatically mean it’s fake.
Real gold, especially in alloys like the 10K, 14K, & 18K gold, can change color under certain conditions, but these changes are usually due to reactions with other materials or impurities rather than the gold itself. It can turn green when its copper content reacts with sweat, moisture or chemicals, or turn black when its silver content reacts with sulfur in the air, skin, or other substances.
Does White Gold Turn Yellow or Black?
White gold is made by alloying pure gold with metals like nickel, palladium, or zinc, then coating it with a thin layer of rhodium to give it a bright silvery-white appearance, as against the natural yellow of pure gold. So, does white gold turn black or yellow?
Yes, white gold can turn yellow over time as its rhodium plating wears off, revealing the natural yellowish color underneath. But it is uncommon for white gold to turn black, unless it is exposed to harsh chemicals or heavy oxidation. With proper care and occasional re-plating, white gold stays white and shiny.
Will Gold-Plated Jewelry Tarnish or Turn Green?
Gold-plated jewelry is made by adding a thin layer of pure gold to a base metal, could be silver, brass, or copper. The end-product is much stronger, durable, and less expensive than solid gold jewelry.
So, does gold-plated jewelry turn green, black, or tarnish? Yes, it will tarnish easily if the thin gold layer wears off and exposes the base metal. This results in both black tarnish and green stains. However, the time it takes for this to happen depends on the thickness of the gold layer and how frequently the jewelry gets exposed to air, moisture, and chemicals.
Will Gold-Filled Jewelry Tarnish or Turn Green?
Gold-filled jewelry is a gold jewelry variation made by adding a thick layer of gold onto a base metal. This jewelry type is much more resistant to tarnish and discoloration because it has a thicker gold layer (at least 5% of the item’s total weight) bonded to a base metal core. So will gold-filled jewelry turn green? It may dull slightly over time but rarely turns green if properly cared for and kept dry.
How to Remove Tarnish from Gold Jewelry?
If you notice that your gold jewelry is beginning to tarnish or have some color stain, here are some effective methods that you can use to remove them.
- Mild Soap and Warm Water: Mix a few drops of mild dish soap with warm water then soak the jewelry in it for 10-15 minutes. Gently scrub the jewelry with a soft toothbrush, rinse thoroughly, and pat dry with a soft cloth.
- Baking Soda Paste: Make a paste with 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water. Apply it on the jewelry using a soft cloth, gently rub the tarnished areas, rinse well, and dry completely.
- Aluminum Foil and Baking Soda: Line a bowl with aluminum foil (place the shining side up), add 1 tablespoon baking soda and 1 tablespoon salt, then pour in hot water. Submerge the jewelry into this mixture for 2-3 minutes, rinse, and dry. It works best for solid gold.
- Jeweler’s Polishing Cloth: Use a specialized gold polishing cloth with micro-abrasives to gently buff away light tarnish without liquids.
Conclusion
Real gold doesn’t turn green, black, or tarnish because it is highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation. However, most gold jewelry are not produced from pure gold only, they are mixed with other metals that react with sweat, skin acids, air, and chemicals — causing tarnish and discoloration
As a jewelry brand looking to create gold jewelry that retains their shine and client trust, you need to join forces with a reputable gold jewelry manufacturer in crafting long-lasting tarnish-free gold jewelry.
