Buyer Beware

[Retiredbrat]

I recently went on a cruise with a port stop in Alexandria - on to Cairo. On the bus we were asked about buying cartouches - gave in and bought 2 "sterling silver" cartouche rings. We were told they were sterling. The next day, after returning to the boat - our fingers started to turn black - there was no stamp on the rings for sterling silver! As this was a cruise shore excursion and a recommened vendor the boat is dealing with the vendor.

[Jade13]

Are you sure. Real silver tarnishes and needs to be polished.

Not all countries hallmark their silver. Some say 925 etc.

What did you pay?

[texancruzer]

Read this.

http://magazine.gem-fashion.com/finger-turns-green.html

Silver jewelry can often react to our chemicals (it does to me sometimes). That is why I bought a gold cartouche :D

However, I did buy 6 silver ones for gifts - they were all stamped .925 on the back. They did start to tarnish so I polished them before I gift wrapped them and gave them out. You should ALWAYS check for the stamp on back. If its not there - refuse to pay or ask for your money back.

[c-to-sea]

Read this.

http://magazine.gem-fashion.com/finger-turns-green.html

Silver jewelry can often react to our chemicals (it does to me sometimes). That is why I bought a gold cartouche :D

However, I did buy 6 silver ones for gifts - they were all stamped .925 on the back. They did start to tarnish so I polished them before I gift wrapped them and gave them out. You should ALWAYS check for the stamp on back. If its not there - refuse to pay or ask for your money back.

Beware of the link - my Norton told me it was unsafe and blocked an attack.

[texancruzer]

Interesting - I have Norton and got no such message. I did not have any problem or "attack" either.

How about this one? It is from overstock.com

http://www.overstock.com/guides/Why-Some-Rings-Discolor-your-Finger

or just do a search for " sterling silver black finger" and see what pops up.

A sterling silver item can have .925 silver and be mixed with nickel and voila' - you get black finger.

Or as the article says; chlorine or other household chemicals will do it. As well as chemicals in your body.......