

Tarnish is self-limiting since the layer of tarnish protects the underlying layers from contact with air and moisture. This product is only on the metal’s surface and usually consists of the metal’s oxide or sulfide. Some metals react when exposed to air and moisture, forming a thin surface layer that’s dull, usually discoloring the metal. The downside is it can become brittle if you over work it.Tarnish describes the end-product of a chemical reaction between metal and other non-metal reagents – it’s a form of corrosion. Bright aluminum is popular with chain mail jewelry makers as it is inexpensive, shiny like silver and light too (just clean it regularly because with time, it will eventually leave black marks). The latter is not regular aluminum which leaves black marks on you and the wearer. I also use stainless steel (a silver-grey metal - use jewelry supply types for softer tempers unless you have strong fingers) and bright aluminum. It's about 1/2 the cost of sterling silver the last time I looked. Even better is sterling silver filled wire which is much thicker than silver plated. Silver plated is a fraction of the cost of sterling silver and some people are fine buying plated as it is cheaper for them.

Some artisans create gorgeous patinas and they wax coat the pieces to protect the patinas (see posts below).Ĭonsider other silver alternatives. Again not a permanent solution as the patina eventually rubs off with use. Liver of sulfur is the most efficient way although there are other methods. The patina layer will thus act as a barrier between the copper and your skin.
#Copper patina green jewlery zip
Remove it and store it in a zip lock bag to reduce the tarnishing effect.

#Copper patina green jewlery skin
The cosmetics and skin lotions we use plus the daily exposure to pollutants in the air don't help either. The green skin effect is due to copper oxidizing with prolonged contact with skin which has sweat glands - the salty perspiration promotes tarnishing. The majority of people in the West seem to prefer the silver colored metals. But they do not sell as well as silver or silver colored metals. Thank you again.Īnswer : Pearl : There is nothing wrong with copper, brass and bronze - I use all of them. Thank you for all of your advice and love how you go into detail about your topics of the day. silver, gold, even gold filled metals into some of my designs, but until I get more money coming in I have to use copper, brass and bronze. I understand that I need to incorporate some st. The question is what do you do to the copper to make sure the jewelry doesn't turn anyone's skin green? I know that copper jewelry has turned my skin green and I don't want any of my potential customers to end up green and I lose future sales. But I'm new to all jewelry making and I'm disabled and living on very little money. Kimberly : I have a question about copper that so far other jewelers have not answered because they feel I should only be using sterling silver or gold. Ode to Copper Coiled Wire Necklace by Pearl Your name will not be used if you'd rather not. As some of these inquiries might be of interest to other readers, I will post selected questions and answers from now on.

I can't claim to know all the answers but I do my best to try and help. I I sometimes get questions from readers who email me.
