Considerations When Making Or Purchasing Copper Jewelry

With current increases and fluctuations in the metal market, we have been working with copper fashioning and constructing gemstone bead necklaces, copper earrings, and copper gemstone bracelets. Copper jewelry tarnishes very quickly on some individuals. Information on the internet suggested that soaking copper jewelry in tomato juice would brighten it again. Instead, I tried soaking in white vinegar also an acid. The tarnish was removed, but the necklace looked dull. After rubbing it with salt and rinsing thoroughly, it looked brighter but the necklace was not restored to its previous luster. Another suggestion found was lemon juice and salt. Rinse well after using any of the above methods.

Experimenting again, I put the necklace in a tumbler and it was brightened. Not many people have a tumbler so this is not a feasible solution. The best solution seems to be to use a metal polish or a polishing cloth being careful to avoid the gemstones. Cleaning solutions could damage the finish of gemstones.

You should realize that if you find that silver jewelry tarnishes (turns black) very quickly when you wear it, then copper jewelry will tarnish much more quickly. The copper content of the silver combines with the oxygen in the air to form tarnish (black). I found that copper tarnishes within an hour or so when worn against sweaty skin in the summer time.

We debated using a coating over the copper jewelry, but decided that the coating would wear through eventually making the jewelry appearance unacceptable. Many folks like the tarnished look of aged copper. I have seen some very attractive pieces that were deliberately aged and polished for highlights giving an antique look.

Private Stock Jewelry Studio sent this comment: "I clean all my copper jewelry in my tumbler, it is amazing!! I also offer my customers free cleaning. The copper is so bright it looks like rose gold!!"

This practice is feasible for jewelry made of only copper and not having gemstones. Care would have to be exercised with gemstones since so many are easily damaged with anything other than mild soap and water and tumbling is definitely not recommended for many.

Consider the damage cleaning or polishing chemicals would do to the gemstones stones in copper jewelry.

The treatments suggested above are feasible to use with copper jewelry having no gemstones. The polishing cloth and metal polish are the safest to use with beaded gemstone jewelry.

All this information should be considered when contemplating an investment of your time or money to make or purchase copper jewelry.