Preventing Silver Ear Wire Marks: A Guide for Jewelry Makers

Question
I have made some earrings using a couple of different commercially available sterling silver ear wires. Whenever I wear these earrings, they leave a gray mark on my earlobe where the wire hangs. The ear wires do not look at all tarnished--they are nice and clean and shiny looking. Is there something I can do to the ear wires to prevent this from happening? I would like to begin selling some of my work, and I am concerned about dissatisfied customers! Please help...

Answer
Greetings,

It sounds as if your skin acid is reacting with the copper component in the silver. its just one of those things that happens....
The only thing that I could suggest is to get some 0.8mm 925 wire and make your own hook and see if it still happens.
Hope that helps.
Cheers, P