What causes cheap rings to turn your fingers blue/green?

Question

The obvious answer is because they are made of cheap materials, but why is it that it turns your fingers this bluish/green colour?

Also, is it okay to continue wearing rings that change the colouration of your finger, or is it somewhat harmful to your skin?

Good explanations, please. :)

Answer 1

some people have allergies to certain metals, which can make your hands itchy and red. and the silver color usually just chips off and makes the finger green i guess... i don't know the answer to your question, but i have a solution :)

paint the inside of your ring with clear nail polish and your fingers won't turn green anymore. that's what i do, and it's like magic.

Answer 2

It's the metal oxodizing, like how iron rusts, just a different colour. The oxodized material rubs off on your skin, changing the colour. If it's a finger ring, it's not a problem because your skin is what protects you from the outside world. If you have a cut or open wound, you don't want to get the material in it. (Since I've been answering piercing questions all day I feel the need to point out that cheap metal is not good for piercings because you're introducing that oxodized material into your body where it could do harm)

If you want to keep wearing the ring, a coat of clear nail polish will help, but it wears off so you have to keep applying it every few days/weeks.  

Answer 3

The ring is okay to wear on regular skin, but like someone already said, dont wear the ring near open wounds or cuts.