Copper has become a new favourite metal of mine. If you love the look of gold, but hate the price, copper is an affordable alternative which also gives a beautiful warm glow. People often question how well copper keeps, and if copper will turn. Copper oxidizes by tarnishing, the same way that sterling silver tarnishes and the way iron rusts. It's a natural progression and the environment determines how rapidly it will happen. Oxidization progresses faster in high humidity, but the effect of oxidation is also affected by one’s body chemistry. The effect is different for everyone, one person may wear copper every day and never have it turn, and another person may wear it for one day and it may oxidize. Similarly, one can oxidize sterling silver in one day as well. Sterling silver is a metal alloy of silver (92.5%) and copper (7.5%). The addition of copper to silver makes it stronger. It is the copper in the alloy that causes sterling silver to tarnish. People are different, thus is the reason why the same perfume may smell different on everyone…again symbolizing that we are all a little different through our body chemistry. Although, I'm not an expert, there is a lot of subjective evidence to propose copper metals may also help people reduce arthritis pains.
Bringing out the shine in copper:
If your copper oxidizes, all you have to do is rinse it about in a small container of water and a squirt of lemon juice, along with a pinch of salt to bring out the bling again. Finally, you can polish your copper with a jewelry polishing cloth. When not worn, remember to keep your copper jewelry in an air tight container or bag (mini zip lock bags will do the trick)…this will help slow down the oxidation.
Yours in design,
Carmen Bowe
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