Ever see gold reaction to well water?

Beachkid23

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This is common I was told by my jeweler that gold jewelry will turn black from well water. I thought this ring was Jonke and it's Mark 14 K milor inside of it. One side is completely black.

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Then the other side that I polished is yellow gold!

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That is the reaction of well water on gold jewelry so keep your eyes peeled!!
 

Showtime2385

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Interesting.... good tip to look for
 

buzzhead

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Interesting..... Milar 14k Italy?? I just took 3 rings to my scrap dealer today that were marked this very thing... Every single one was junk gold plated plastic. When filed into you can clearly see the plastic... ImageUploadedByTapatalk1424555709.050977.jpg heres two of them. I gave the 3rd one to him for show and tell purposes.
 

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Beachkid23

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Interesting..... Milar 14k Italy?? I just took 3 rings to my scrap dealer today that were marked this very thing... Every single one was junk gold plated plastic. When filed into you can clearly see the plastic... <img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1122866"/>heres two of them. I gave the 3rd one to him for show and tell purposes.

Okay well I will double check. But this one isn't solid it's hollow on the inside.
 

buzzhead

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These are hollow also. They weigh maybe a gram total.
 

silverdollarbill

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Tap water turning gold black? And you can gold plate plastic? Never knew that. Thanks for tip.
 

Nitric

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Yes!! Gold can turn dark brown or black! I was told that some of it was caused by a reaction with some people's body's. It may be well or tap water? I don't know that for sure.. I do know I have bought jewelry that was so dark, it didn't even look gold. Usually 14k or lower, I don't remember it happening too much with 18k. I think the metals mixed in are what is reacting or tarnishing. It usually polishes off real easily.

I had to laugh when I read your post. I've been down this road myself! gold(or metals mixed with it) does turn black and dark brown.
 

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Peachy

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Hydrogen sulfide gas in the water? Does the water get a rotten egg smell sometimes? Could also be manganese. My 2 cents.
 

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Nitric

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Good research. I guess it did not say well or tapwater did it? But at least now we know the real reason. It's probably from being in her jewelry box forever but then who knows!

I wouldn't rule out well water. They just didn't mention it there. So, it could be anything.

My grandmother's water turns the inside of her copper pipes black then it starts turning sinks and showers dark. I change the filters in the lines and i get this black stuff on my hands that is hard to wash off. I thought about that after the above post. And it does have a sulfur smell. We have to dump bleach in the well and pipes and let it sit for a few days every so often. I wonder if it is the same type of reaction?
 

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GibH

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lookindown

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I don't think well water turns gold black.
 

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Very interesting about the well water. Nice find.
 

Peachy

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I don't know if it turns gold black but it turns copper pipes black inside and out. (Hydrogen sulfide gas) You would swear that they were painted or powder coated. I worked for a water well company for years and I've seen it a lot.
 

MRBeyer

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Bought a 10k gold mens ring that was faded brass color when I bought it. Turns out the guy was a mechanic and the chemical she worked around discolored the metal. When I polished it up it had a slight green hue to it. I took it to a jeweler before polishing and he said it was fake and never tested it. Once polished I took it to two jewelers who both tested it, they agreed with my tests, It was indeed 10k, from the design it looked central american, looks like poor mix of impurities used in its casting giving it the green hue. Bought for $25, sold for $300 to one of the customers of the jewelel I took it to last.
 

Nitric

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I don't know if it turns gold black but it turns copper pipes black inside and out. (Hydrogen sulfide gas) You would swear that they were painted or powder coated. I worked for a water well company for years and I've seen it a lot.

I wonder if this happens more in the coal states. Where I was talking about was in a coal area....Kind of unrelated, but people from other states outside of the coal and shale may not have ever run into what your talking about.
 

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Beachkid23

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I wonder if this happens more in the coal states. Where I was talking about was in a coal area....Kind of unrelated, but people from other states outside of the coal and shale may not have ever run into what your talking about.

I'm in South Florida. The tap water down here is disgusting. Not to mention the well water is horrible too. It tastes just as bad as it smells! I mean I can understand why it turns gold colors. It turns your stomach as soon as you drink it! Back home we used to run through the sprinklers all the time. Here you ran through the sprinklers and you smell like a garbage compactor for the rest of the day! Fortunately the weather makes up for all the bad stinky sprinklers!
 

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