Iodine and Jewelry: Does It Damage White Gold or Silver?

Question
Hi Thomas,

 I work at a veterinary clinic and we use iodine to clean out the scratches and bites we may receive from cats and dogs. This past week 3 of us in the office have gotten bit, and we all used iodine to clean the wound. Both the doctor and I were warring a ring, his was white gold and mine is silver. Both of the rings were stained. I don't know the quality of his ring, but it's his wedding band, and now it looks like yellow gold. My ring should be silver, it was bought in Mexico and is stamped with 925. My ring now looks tarnished and gray it also has small gold, green, and purple marks on it. Is there anything we can do to return our rings to there original color?

Answer
Rebecca, thanks very much for the question. Veterinary clinic?  Oh my, we are in the middle of giving an older cat meds to see how his thyroid will respond and kidney functions...all of that.  I hope he can have the radioiodine treatment but his kidney function may not allow it. We will know in a week.

Ok, I rambled but had to since this older male kitty is precious to us. Please do not rate me harshly because of that. : )

As for normal iodine used as an antiseptic cleanser, yes, this stuff is known as a chemical which will stain metals.  Iodine is one of the few chemicals which will directly stain gold. Silver is more easily tarnished or stained and certainly will also be stained by iodine contact.

Fortunately, Rebecca, there is an answer and it is actually a good one: Take the jewelry to a jewelers where there is a bench jeweler working in-house. The bench jeweler is the one who actually does the repairs, design work, polishing, etc.  Some stores farm out work and do not have a bench jeweler on premises. Call first then take the rings.  In most all cases, a fairly quick buffing with a jewelers motorized buffing wheel will remove the tarnish and restore the normal color to the metal.  That should take care of it.

Should you or the vet have further questions about this subject, do not hesitate to use the follow-up option to get back with me. Fair enough? BTW, I have mentioned iodine in answers but this is the first question about it and stains on precious metals. Chlorine should also be avoided since it can actually damage the metals.

God Bless and Peace.     Thomas.