I've been wondering for awhile......

[justkitter]

I've seen websites that restore old dolls to new.  There's something common that happened to the very first Barbie dolls, where they're ears would turn green because of a reaction to the metal in the earrings, and the plastic of the heads.

So I've been wondering, have doll companies updated the materials they use so that this doesn't happen anymore?  Should we as doll collectors, just know not to display dolls with any kind of metal for long periods of time?  Is it just certain types of metal that effect certain types of plastic? 

I've seen some beautiful homemade jewelry, but whenever I think about owning it, those pictures of Barbie with her green ears flash before my eyes

Anyone know anything about this?

[Knibitz]

the plastics most dolls are made with are going to be extremely porous and thus soak up everything around them, leaving metal in them will always turn them green or rust them. That's just what metal does.

The only way to avoid this is with less porous materials like resin or porcelain.

[kamakazee82]

i don't take any chances ... when storing (and even displaying" my dolls i don't leave them touching a foriegn plastic or metal ... even their stands i try to make sure they've got a piece of clothing or a scrap of white fabric between it and them

... that and most companites don't use much metal anymore ... they'll use plastic now ...

[justkitter]

Thanks for the insight:)  Guess no new jewelry for me

[Flutterswirl]

People do coat the posts of metal earrings with SuperGlue before putting them in a doll's ears. It's supposed to block the chemical reaction- just make sure to not push the earring in past the dipped area.

[kamakazee82]

you can use jewelry with your dolls, I just wouldn't reccomend leaving it in place for extended periods of time unless you take precautions ... and even then i have my doubts lmao

i love my dolls and i'm not fond of taking cahnces with such spendy little lovelies lol (mad assortment of mostly Taeyangs and Monster High)

[justkitter]

Better safe than sorry:)  I don't do much "playing" around with my dolls.  They stay in whatever they are wearing.  I also don't do photoshoots or anything like that, so putting in a pair of metal earings for pretty much no reason, doesn't make much sense.  I was thinking if I found a pair I couldn't live without, could I keep them on my doll FOREVER?    Doesn't seem to be a good idea though:(  That's fine.  Didn't have anything in mind, anyway:)

[MelodyMistress]

If you could clear coat the jewelry with ,say clear nail polish that may work. I know it helps keep me from breaking out when I wear pewter, as I have an allergy to it...

[PandaBerryInSpace]

Ooh, I wish I had known that. I used some human earrings on one of my custom dolls... I coated it with Mod Podge first, so it'll fit better, but I sure hope nothing bad happens to her.