Why I use ProtectaClear®

Does your skin turn an odd color when you wear jewelry? Does some jewelry make your skin itch, give you a rash or some other irritation? If so, there is a way you might be able to alleviate that irritation.

I use a ProtectaClear® made for the jewelry industry by Everbrite Coatings for my copper and brass jewelry which not only maintains the finish, but also protects your skin. Since niobium is already hypoallergenic, and sterling and 14k gold filled ear wires can be worn by most people without problems, it's not necessary on the ear wires. Because my enameled pieces are kiln fused and fired and therefore glass in the end, it’s not necessary on those either.

*If you would like your silver or 14k gold filled ear wires dipped, just add a note at check out. Allow 2 full days before shipping for drying and curing.*

There are several factors that can cause your skin to react with metals, such as these listed on the Everbrite website.

• Your body chemistry can react with jewelry, especially due to sulfur, amino acids in sweat, leading to discoloration. Medications like antibiotics or chemotherapy can also alter your body's chemistry.​

• Acidity in your body can turn silver and gold jewelry green, especially in hot, humid weather. Oxidation causes this reaction with silver, tarnishing it. Gold mixed with metals like silver, copper, or nickel can also lead to skin discoloration.​

• Copper jewelry may cause a green discoloration to your skin due to your metabolism. Chelated copper deposits react to your body chemistry and give your skin a green stain.

• Inexpensive jewelry containing nickel can also cause green skin. While nickel isn't harmful in small amounts, it can trigger allergic reactions in some, leading to red, itchy skin alongside discoloration. The CDC estimates that 20% of people are allergic to nickel. (I NEVER use nickel or plated metals in any of the jewelry I make.​

• Tarnished jewelry can darken your skin, especially when cosmetics like creams and lotions accelerate tarnishing. Certain chemicals in cosmetics may cause abrasion on metal jewelry, leaving tiny particles on clothes and skin, leading to darkening.​

• Sterling silver, on the other hand, is 7.5% copper. However, this does not give the skin a green stain. Instead, it can however, cause a black stain on some people because of the tarnishing of the metal, to avoid this simply use a jewelry cloth to keep your jewelry clean.

To help you avoid this when you purchase jewelry from Divella Designs we dip our pieces in ProtectaClear®.

After the jewelry is complete, and before adding the ear wires, I dip the piece in Protectaclear® and hang it in a drip box David made for me. After one minute I use a piece of torn paper towel to remove any excess as well as drips. I repeat this after three minutes and then allow to air dry.