If you have ever pulled a ring off your finger after a long day and found that it has turned your skin green, then this post is for you. We explain why your ring turned your finger green, how to get the discoloration off, and how to avoid the problem in the future.

Why Did My Jewelry Turn My Finger Green?
Everyone has different chemical makeups in their bodies, and everyone perspires differently and abides by different diets. These characteristics often play a role in how the skin becomes discolored—whether it be around the finger, the earlobes, the wrist, or the neck—because of a piece of jewelry that was worn for some time.

Gold in its purest form is 24K, yellow, and hypoallergenic. Pure gold is very soft and is not often made into rings or jewelry; it has to be alloyed with other metals to make it more durable. The gold to alloy ratio is measured by karats: the most popular karat levels are 10K, 14K, 18K, or 22K. The lower number karat, the less pure gold is used. Precious metals like white gold or rose gold are made by alloying pure gold with metals like nickel and manganese or copper, respectively. When it comes to skin discoloration, copper would be the biggest culprit.

Copper, even in small percentages, can still create an oxidation reaction on the skin, and not because the wearer is allergic. What happens is that the alloy—combined with oxygen in the air, perspiration, and natural oils in the skin—creates a layer of copper carbonate, which discolors the skin and makes it look green. Not to worry, though: the green color will usually disappear within a few hours, or sooner with the aid of rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover.

How Do I Prevent Jewelry from Discoloring My Skin?
There are a few tips and tricks that experts recommend when trying to avoid skin discoloration. First of all, you should take into account the value of your jewelry. Costume jewelry can be professionally enameled by your local jeweler, or, for a cheaper fix, you can coat the inside of the ring with clear top coat nail polish. The best way to avoid discoloration, however, regardless of the value and quality of your jewelry, is simply to keep it clean and away from chemicals.

Our experts are particularly adamant about keeping your jewelry away from cleaning supplies and beauty supplies, as they will make your piece tarnish faster. In addition, we recommend that you leave your jewelry at home when heading to the gym, and take them off when you’re going to get your hands wet. In short, keep your jewelry dry so the water doesn’t get trapped between the metal and your skin and tarnish your jewelry.

At the end of the day, some green discoloration isn’t usually dangerous, and it happens more commonly than you think. Whenever you can, buy higher karat gold, and skip the cheaper, inexpensive jewels altogether.

Main image by The Fashion Medley.

Cartier’s renown does not start and end with its jewelry collection: in fact, it has made significant contributions to the world of horology. The brand’s watches are as iconic as their most popular rings and bracelets, if not more. Out of the many amazing models produced by the brand, we have chosen the five best women’s watches for the Cartier fanatic in your life.

Ballon Bleu de Cartier
Characterized by the striking sapphire cabochon on the crown, the large round case, and the clean Roman numerals, the Ballon Bleu de Cartier not only embodies a classic feminine design, but it also makes for a bold, attractive dress watch that would elevate any watch collection.

Tank de Cartier
This versatile model has been made famous by the likes of General John Pershing and Princess Diana of Wales, but The Tank’s popularity is certainly helped along by its many different iterations, all of which exude a sense of seriousness and professionalism. The no-nonsense square case and readable Roman numerals make it the perfect watch for a pragmatist.

Baignoire de Cartier
The Baignoire de Cartier is one of the oldest women’s wristwatches in Cartier’s collection, and its slim, elegant design reflects that. This traditional design harkens back to the fashions of the early 20th century and provides an element of femininity to one’s wardrobe.

Pasha de Cartier
This watch’s large round case, square dial design, and Arabic numerals separates it so cleanly from Cartier’s other collections that it should absolutely be part of a Cartier fan’s watch collection. The Pasha’s divergent spirit gives it a freshness that would immediately appeal to watch enthusiasts with more modern sensibilities.

Panthère de Cartier
Like the slinky jungle cat from which this beautiful watch gets its name, the Panthère de Cartier’s design incorporates a healthy measure of fluidity and femininity. The unique shape of the case coupled with the squareness of the face gives the watch an asymmetry that draws the eye.

This holiday season, surprise your special someone with one of these spectacular jewelry and watch gifts.

For the bohemian…
NANIS Jewelry
NANIS’s artisans employ an ancient technique to give its jewelry a unique matte finish. The result is handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces that any bohemian artist will deeply appreciate.

For the hard worker who just landed the corner office…Fabergé Watch
Fabergé’s recently relaunched watch collection will elevate any corporate wardrobe. We love these watches for their professional polish and easy wearability.

For the kid at heart…
Mimi So’s Wonderland Collection Jewelry
Mimi So’s whimsical designs artfully balance fairytale motifs and refined craftsmanship. These sweet pieces nod at the playful inspiration and are subtle enough for everyday wear.

For the trendsetter who always nails the dress code…
Dana Rebecca Designs Jewelry
These highly versatile, minimalist styles by Dana Rebecca Designs can be dressed up and down, stacked and worn solo, making them a smart addition to your fashionista’s wardrobe.

For the party hostess who mixes the best martini…
Leo Pizzo Panther Ring
The perfect accessory for the hostess-with-the-mostest: a big cocktail ring. We love these statement pieces by Leo Pizzo which have the perfect amount of drama and glamour.

For the globetrotter…
Misahara Jewelry
Misahara founder and lead designer Lepa Galeb-Roskopp’s designs are heavily influenced by her childhood visits to the Balkan region. Your world traveler will appreciate Misahara’s colorful and unconventional gemstones, used to symbolize different features of the area’s rich landscape.

For the new mom…
Phillips House Jewelry
Designed by a mother-daughter team, Phillips House offers sentimental gifts to surprise the mom-to-be. Each piece is inherently imbued with the warmth of the designers’ incredible family bond.

For the bookworm…
The Expression Jewelry
The Expression’s prominent pencil motif is symbolic of the power of the written word. This luxe gift will delight any lover of literature who knows the pen is mightier than the sword.

For the gardener…
Van Der Bauwede Geneve Eden Collection Jewelry
Gift a green thumb a piece of jewelry from Van Der Bauwede Geneve’s Eden Collection. Each piece features a delicate ivy pendant or station, which is a sweet nod to your green thumb’s favorite hobby.

For the love of your life…
ZYDO Jewelry
For a truly impressive gift, surprise her with a beautifully-set diamond by ZYDO. These breath-taking pieces will make for a truly memorable holiday gift.

We rounded up 27 ultra-luxurious watches to perfectly suit and surprise the special man in your life.

For the tech guy…
The Frederique Constant Horological Smartwatch
Tech gifts usually top his wish list, but skip the noise-cancelling headphones in favor of a more romantic gift: a Frederique Constant Horological Smartwatch. This elegantly designed watch bears all the markings of a classic Swiss watch—a clean dial, diamond cut hands, and a gold plated watchcase—but is in fact a smartwatch that syncs with an app to track his daily activity, steps, and sleep cycles.

For the engineering buff who binge watches “How It’s Made”…
A HYT H1 Watch
These bold watches by the innovative watch brand HYT will fascinate your guy. HYT’s proprietary mechanical watch movement is powered by a bellow that pushes a tinted liquid through a glass capillary to indicate the time. This mind-bending watch will turn into a conversation piece that he can geek out over.

For the dapper dresser who loves three-piece suits…
A Bovet 1822 Reversible Dial Watch
If your man can expertly tie a bowtie and loves a fitted suit, he deserves a traditional watch to match his tailored style. We recommend a handsome Bovet 1822 Reversible Dial Watch that can convert from a wristwatch to a pocket watch and desk clock. This ornate watch will seamlessly fit into his modern-yet-timeless wardrobe, either strapped to his wrist or dropped into his pocket.

For the watch collector who adores Rolex…
A Les Artisans de Genève Tribute Watch
Les Artisans de Genève is a unique, independent watchmaker whose elite team of artisans takes apart, customizes, and painstakingly reassembles the individual components of Rolex watches. The result is beautiful, re-imagined watches that pay homage to iconic Rolex styles like the Daytona and Submariner, with daring color combinations and edgy hardware.

For the voracious reader…
A Manufacture Royale Watch
While a watch may not be the first gift idea to spring to mind for a lover of literature, hear us out: watch brand Manufacture Royale traces its history back to 1770 and was founded by French Enlightenment writer Voltaire. Today, the recently relaunched brand pays homage to Voltaire’s defiant spirit through its complex designs and movements. Surprise your bookworm with this unique piece of literary history.

For the great outdoorsman…
The Traser Outdoor Pioneer Watch
Traser watches are incredibly robust and built to keep up with even the most active wearers. And, thanks in large part to their self-activated illumination technology, Traser watches have become an integral tool for emergency and rescue teams. Give him one of these helpful, utilitarian watches and he’ll be one happy camper!

For the world traveler who just reached Platinum Frequent Flyer Status…
A Tockr Radial C47C Watch
Tockr recently debuted with their new collection of finely crafted watches that are inspired by America’s Golden Age of Aviation. Their Radial collection stands out in particular and borrows its unique dial design from the radial engine, a World War II-era star-shaped aircraft engine. Your globetrotter will appreciate this gift’s cool and clever nod to air travel.

For the history buff…
A Tutima Grand Fleiger Chronograph
This holiday season, nix another Ken Burns documentary box set and give your beau a rich piece of European history. Tutima’s 90-year legacy is intimately tied to the annals of Germany’s Glashütte region, which is considered the birthplace of German watchmaking.

For the watch aficionado…
An Arnold & Son Timepiece
The 250-year old watch brand Arnold & Son famously got its start when John Arnold presented King George III the smallest repeating watch. The brand’s renown soared and Arnold & Son still remains one of the world’s most respected watch manufacturers, developing and producing their movements entirely in-house and releasing at least two new movements every year. If your special someone has a deep respect for the tradition of watchmaking, they’ll be floored with this thoughtful watch gift.

Browse even more holiday gift ideas for him here!

Today, the Daytona watch ranks as one of Rolex’s most popular and sought-after models. However, its widespread popularity was slow to come. We go through the key years in the evolution of the Rolex Daytona to understand how it grew into a smash sensation.

1955 – Rolex releases Reference 6324 Chronograph.
When it debuted in 1955, the modern Daytona’s precursor, the Rolex’s Reference 6324, was largely underwhelmingly received; shoppers preferred watches by Rolex’s competitors, who had long established themselves as the leading manufacturers of chronographs. Only 500 watches were released annually until Reference 6324 was ultimately discontinued in 1961. (Fast forward to today and these “Pre-Daytonas” are now rare and hotly coveted Rolex collector’s items with an entry-level price tag of a whopping $20,000.)

1963 – Rolex releases Cosmograph Reference 6239.
In 1959, the Daytona racecourse, which was previously half asphalt and half sandy beach, was fully paved and christened the Daytona International Speedway. Several years later, Rolex served as the race’s official timekeeper. And, finally, in 1963, in honor of the Swiss brand’s sponsorship of the race, Rolex released the Cosmograph Reference 6239. The Cosmograph was given the nickname the Rolex Daytona soon after. The watch was specially designed for racecar drivers and included a tachymeter scale and a larger bezel.

Late 1960s – Paul Newman bolsters the popularity of the Rolex Reference 6239.
Actor and accomplished racecar driver Paul Newman became the first celebrity to wear the Rolex Daytona. Newman wore his Daytona watch during races. (It is also reported Newman wore his Daytona every day from 1972 until his passing in 2008.) But, in spite of Newman’s notoriety and widespread appeal, the Daytona was still not a bestseller for Rolex.

Although Paul Newman’s name is well-associated with the Rolex Daytona today, in order for the watch to be formally classified as a “Paul Newman Daytona”, it needs to be a Reference 6239, 6241, 6262, 6263, 6264 or 6265. These rare Daytonas are typified by their distinctive sub-dials, which have crosshairs, block markers, and a seconds sub-dial placed at the 9 o’clock hour marker.

1970 – Rolex Reference 6262 is released.
For one year only, Rolex issued Reference 6262. Neither a luxury timepiece nor a technological innovation, Reference 6262 was not warmly received by fans who thought it was impractical. To wit, Reference 6262 was decked out with 17 jewels and baton numerals but did not include Rolex’s advanced “Oyster” case.

Initially a bit of a sales bust for Rolex, Reference 6262 proved to be a pivotal transition model for the Daytona collection. It marked the Swiss brand’s return to an engraved steel bezel and unthreaded push buttons. Reference 626 also housed a modified Valjoux movement, the Rolex Cal. 722 that had to be manually wound.

Today, Reference’s 6262 rarity has made it a high-demand (and high-ticket) item for collectors.

1988 – Rolex introduces a self-winding Daytona and popularity finally soars.
On the heels of the Quartz Crisis, the Rolex Daytona felt passé in large part due to its movement, which still required manual winding. Amidst sluggish sales, Rolex introduced Reference 16520, a self-winding Daytona that housed a modified self-winding Zenith Caliber 400 movement. The Reference 16520 also underwent aesthetic updates to appeal to changing tastes. Rolex’s updated Daytona featured a larger case diameter and the dials were lacquered and glossy.

Throughout the 1980s, industry-wide demand for sportier chronographs ballooned and Rolex had impeccable timing in releasing its self-winding Daytona. The discontinuation of their manual-wind Daytonas and the release of this new, modernized Daytona lead to a significant increase in demand for both old and new Daytonas. In 1988, Rolex Daytonas had a three-year-long waiting list, and demand for the wildly popular Rolex model has not waned since.

2000 – Rolex launches its first Daytona with an in-house movement.
Until 2000, the Rolex Daytona movement was not an exclusive, in-house design. The Daytona remained the outlier in Rolex’s collection as the only model with a foreign-sourced caliber. But, in 2000, Rolex debuted its in-house Caliber 4130 movement.

Still used in Daytona watches today, the Caliber 4130 has 44 jewels, Kif shock absorbers, and boasts an impressive 72-hour power reserve. The dial was also updated in turn to reflect the change in calibers. The seconds subdial moved from the 9 to 6 o’clock hour markers.

2017 – Paul Newman’s personal Rolex Daytona sells for a record-breaking $17.75 million USD.
In October 2017, an anonymous bidder won Paul Newman’s personal “Paul Newman Rolex Daytona” for a staggering $17.75 million. The seller was James Cox, Newman’s daughter Nell’s college boyfriend. Cox donated a significant portion of the watch’s sale price to the Nell Newman Foundation and Newman’s Own Foundation.

Learn more Rolex collectors’ favorite watches and how they earned their nicknames in our post here!

Another Cinderella story hit the books on Monday when Prince Henry of Wales (familiarly known as Prince Harry) and actress and humanitarian Meghan Markle announced their engagement. With any royal engagement, of course, comes a circus of media attention, not just on the potential new member of the royal family, but on her undoubtedly spectacular engagement ring. Historically, royal engagements have spurred massive shifts in the engagement and wedding ring industry. For example, after Prince Harry’s older brother William proposed to Kate Middleton with his mother’s, the late Princess Diana of Wales, sapphire engagement ring, the popularity of colored gemstones in engagement rings climbed to heights it hadn’t seen since the ring was unveiled for the first time on Lady Diana’s finger.

Meghan Markle’s three-stone ring is decidedly unique: in fact, Prince Harry designed it himself and made the piece an incredibly personal and meaningful representation of their relationship. The center stone is cushion-cut diamond that weighs in between 3.5 and 4.5 carats. The Prince sourced the stone from Botswana, not only ensuring that it was ethically mined, but also adding an element that is extremely personal to himself and to Meghan, as they spent five days together on a wildlife safari in the South African country early on in their relationship.

The two stones that flank the center are estimated to be between 1/2 and 3/4 carats each and were both pulled from Princess Diana’s personal collection of jewelry—Prince Harry said he incorporated them into the design because he wanted to, “make sure that she’s with us on this crazy journey together.” The sweet sentiment adds so much more dimension to the already-intimate background of the ring.

Finally, the three stones are set into white gold baskets for added brilliance and the band is a classic yellow gold, chosen, according to the prince, because he knew it was Markle’s favorite.

Though three-stone rings have steadily been growing in popularity in recent years thanks to their classic design, this royal development is probably only going to expedite the climb—though we’re sure a bride would be ecstatic with any kind of design, as long as it is imbued with so much rich emotion and history.

If you are interested in an engagement ring similar to Meghan Markle’s, feel free to contact our concierge service for assistance, or simply take a look through TrueFacet for what could be the right ring for you. However, we have taken the liberty of presenting you with these similar-looking suggestions:

This holiday season, we’ve put together gift guides for the important people in your life. Remind your mom of the fact that she lights up your life by presenting her with one of the brilliant pieces on this curated list.

Tiffany & Co. Diamond Stud Earrings

A woman like your mom deserves a touch of elegance that is as classy as she is. Enter the diamond stud earrings from Tiffany’s: these classic wardrobe staples will elevate any ensemble and make the perfect heirloom gift. Fashioned with Tiffany’s pure platinum and excellent quality diamonds, these earrings are made to last forever, just like a mother’s love.

Ippolita Multi-Colored Stones Bib Necklace
If you love how your mom adds color to your life, you can return the favor by adding some color to her collection of jewelry. The Ippolita Multi-Colored Stones Bib Necklace combines playful flourishes of color with a rigid, tectonic design. Your mom would love how its bright, abstract energy adds freshness to her wardrobe.

David Yurman Buckle Cuff
Every mom should have a David Yurman Cable bracelet in her collection, but this one would be extra special because it came from you. If you really feel like tugging at heartstrings, you could even say that the hook and loop motif on this piece resembles how she held your hand through the trials of life. If nothing else, however, this cuff bracelet makes a great foundation piece for a jewelry collection, and its simple, classic design will never go out of style.

LALI Gemstone Ring
Your mom’s hands changed your diapers, made your lunch, did your laundry, and wiped the tears from your eyes when you got hurt. What better to thank your mom for all that she does than by adorning those hands with beautiful gemstones? LALI Jewelry’s collection of statement rings feature precious stones like citrine, turquoise, amethyst, and peridot, among others. This attention-grabbing piece would be great for adding a touch of youthfulness to your mom’s wardrobe and celebrating all the amazing things she can do.

Cartier Panthère Watch with Diamonds
Give your mom the gift of time this holiday season by presenting her with this beautiful classic from Cartier. We chose the Panthère de Cartier watch model with a diamond-studded bezel because it would make for the perfect dress watch: that extra touch of sparkle can elevate any ensemble. This resplendent timepiece is not only a great example of excellent craftsmanship, but it would also draw admiring eyes at all of the holiday functions your mom will be hosting this season.

Contemporary tastes in watches have increasingly favored larger and larger case sizes for both men and women. In turn, more women are sporting what have been traditionally classified as “men’s” watches and styles. We rounded up our favorite Omega men’s watches that stylish women are incorporating into their wardrobes.

The Omega DeVille: An Elevated Casual Watch
Modern and vintage Omega DeVille watches are smart choice and suit the current minimalist and over-sized trends. The Omega DeVille is characterized by its clean dial and clean bezel. The no-frills design allows it to seamlessly slip into your wardrobe. And even better, this is a very budget-friendly style, making it a perfect option for your everyday watch.

Vintage Omega Seamaster: A Quintessential Omega Style
The Seamaster ranks as Omega’s most recognizable style and Omega has greatly expanded its iconic Seamaster collection to appeal towards women, introducing models with smaller case sizes, mother of the pearl dials, and diamond bezels and hour markers. But vintage men’s Seamasters in particular have become a favorite among fashionable women. The vintage Seamaster’s pared-down dial, sleek bezel and thin watchcase make it a cool option for women looking for a unique but timeless watch.

The Omega Constellation: An Elegantly Sporty Watch
The Omega Constellation marks a significant moment in the brand’s history when Omega shattered its own precision record in 1951. The Swiss brand re-launched its Constellation collection for women in 2009 which includes printed dials, diamond bezels, and trendier metals including red gold on steel. However, the traditionally men’s styles remain equally appealing to women who are drawn to the recognizable “clawed” bezel and unique bracelet which is made up of horizontal links for maximum comfort.

If you opt for a larger, oversized or men’s watch style, read our tips to ensure your watch fits properly, especially if you have a small wrist.

Main image by Bikinis & Passports.