What To do About Copper Jewelry Turning Skin Green
I I sometimes get questions from readers who email me. I can't claim to know all the answers but I do my best to try and help. As some of these inquiries might be of interest to other readers, I will post selected questions and answers from now on. Your name will not be used if you'd rather not.
Reader Question :
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. But I'm new to all jewelry making and I'm disabled and living on very little money.
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. I understand that I need to incorporate some st. 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. Thank you for all of your advice and love how you go into detail about your topics of the day. Thank you again.
The green skin effect is due to copper oxidizing with prolonged contact with skin which has sweat glands - the salty perspiration promotes tarnishing. The cosmetics and skin lotions we use plus the daily exposure to pollutants in the air don't help either.
There are 3 ways to reduce this problem:
I also use stainless steel (a silver-grey metal - use jewelry supply types for softer tempers unless you have strong fingers) and bright aluminum. The latter is not regular aluminum which leaves black marks on you and the wearer. 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 downside is it can become brittle if you over work it.
Check out my past blog posts :
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips
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| Ode to Copper Coiled Wire Necklace by Pearl |
Reader Question :
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. But I'm new to all jewelry making and I'm disabled and living on very little money.
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. I understand that I need to incorporate some st. 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. Thank you for all of your advice and love how you go into detail about your topics of the day. Thank you again.
Answer :
Pearl : There is nothing wrong with copper, brass and bronze - I use all of them. But they do not sell as well as silver or silver colored metals. The majority of people in the West seem to prefer the silver colored metals. In parts of Asia, gold is king.The green skin effect is due to copper oxidizing with prolonged contact with skin which has sweat glands - the salty perspiration promotes tarnishing. The cosmetics and skin lotions we use plus the daily exposure to pollutants in the air don't help either.
There are 3 ways to reduce this problem:
- Don't wear copper jewelry all the time. Remove it and store it in a zip lock bag to reduce the tarnishing effect. It also helps to keep bright copper shiny i.e. remove any beginning oxidation by cleaning it regularly. Ketchup, vinegar or lemon juice works! See post below.
- Use renaissance wax to protect the jewelry. This though is not a permanent solution.
- Deliberately patina your pieces for the vintage look ie add a layer of oxidized material. The patina layer will thus act as a barrier between the copper and your skin. Liver of sulfur is the most efficient way although there are other methods. Again not a permanent solution as the patina eventually rubs off with use. Some artisans create gorgeous patinas and they wax coat the pieces to protect the patinas (see posts below).
I also use stainless steel (a silver-grey metal - use jewelry supply types for softer tempers unless you have strong fingers) and bright aluminum. The latter is not regular aluminum which leaves black marks on you and the wearer. 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 downside is it can become brittle if you over work it.
Check out my past blog posts :
- How to Clean Off Green Gunk on Jewelry
- Verdigris Jewelry by Painted Metal
- 8 Ways to Patina Jewelry
- Is Renaissance Wax Safe to Use for Jewelry?
- Sterling Silver Wire - A Cheaper Alternative to Sterling Silver
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips
I have given some of my copper jewelry a few coats of metal acrylic lacquer. I offer this option to my customers and many opt-in for the sealing to avoid reaction with the skin and also to eliminate the tarnishing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post, Pearl, it's very helpful. Also, I like the suggestion by WildGift.
ReplyDeleteI bought a very lovely pair of copper wire earrings and had an awful reaction to the metal. Copper is one of my most favorite metals and now I'm going to seal these so that I may wear them.
Is the lacquer the only way to seal the copper (and other metals)or are there other materials that will work? I see that you mentioned Renaissance wax, so I'll get my hands on that, too.
Thanks,
Debbie...(O:
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Excellent suggestion, WildGift!
ReplyDeleteOlyveoil - try the suggestions and choose what works best for you.
I had a reader suggest acrylic polish to me when I had complained about copper getting tarnished in one of the posts but somehow I am not for the effect it leaves on the jewelry.Another option is to leave copper jewelry without polish as the more you polish the faster it tarnishes and leaves residue. the unpolished ones remain as is for a long period of time
ReplyDeleteIf you burnish or work-harden the surface it also helps reduce the tendency to oxidize
DeleteI've found the rate of tarnishing will depend on the individual, how often they wear the piece and whether or not they store in a zip lock plastic bag. But sooner or later, it will tarnish.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Divya about acrylic lacquers affecting the look of the piece. Renaissance wax does not do that at all as it is virtually invisible.
ReplyDeleteA tough question to find an answer for Pearl...I'm still contemplating it myself. With the cost of silver right now I would like to use copper/brass more but as you say it doesn't sell as well...besides I really dislike the tarnishing effect. The skin turning green doesn't bother me, it washes off...but I do now it bothers others.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to try the patina route, I've ordered the product...I'll let you know what I think.
Enjoy your day
Cheers
Hey, can we get a message to Kimberly? Because I want to say this: don't let anyone tell you you can't run a wonderful, successful jewelry business using entirely base metal findings!!!! Browse through Etsy and you'll see some of the most successful sellers use nothing but easily available and very cheap base metal ear wires and other findings. Sure there are the "artistes" who are very selective about their materials, and that's fine. But running a business is about meeting customer demand, and there is huge demand for innovative, unique jewelry that is easy to wear and easy to buy, and noone in that market objects to silverplate ring blanks, earwires, clasps, etc. You can always buy a small supply of sterling pieces and put in your description, "sterling available for an additional cost". The people who care will pay the extra money and you will not be out the expense.
ReplyDeleteJust my opinion! Karen
Patinaed copper is gorgeous too so good luck with the process.
ReplyDeleteKaren - thanks for your encouraging comment. I will forward it to Kimberly.
All great suggestions and good, sound advice.
ReplyDeleteThere is a product out that one can brush onto things like earwires to prevent metal reactions with the skin. It comes in a small bottle, much like nail polish, maybe it is nail polish? I can't remember what it is called and I've not used it, yet, but have considered purchasing it for my copper earwires.
Eureka ! I found it...it is called Jewelry Shield and from what I read it sounds very much like clear nail polish only 3 times more expensive. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the suggestion Anna. Jewelry Shield would likely perform better than nail polish. I tried the clear nail polish route myself years ago as I am allergic to some alloys. It didn't work very well for my earrings. Perhaps I did not coat it well enough.
ReplyDeletejust started enameling on copper and love the look of patina on copper with enameled pieces attached. I used liver of sulphur AND Renaissance wax and after a day of test wear my arm was green. I found this string while googling how to avoid the problem. Wish I could say the suggestions were more successful
ReplyDeleteTry more than one thin layer of Renaissance wax. Or switch to acrylic lacquer.
ReplyDeleteProfessional metal lacquers like Nicolas, Clear Guard and Permalac seal the bright, antiqued or patina-ted copper, brass and bronze metals and are safe to wear against skin and clothing.
ReplyDeleteTo create additional protection between the treated metals and the wearers skin, apply 2 coats of Renaissance wax on top of the lacquer.
BUT after the additional costs of sealant and labor in applying you have a piece that will cost as much as sterling jewelry to make!
Niobium and fine silver ear wires help those sensitive to metals but will not help those allergic to metals (BIG difference in the two!)
Unfortunately there is NOTHING you can use that will last forever and this recommendation is made with the understanding that the handmade jewelry will be treated as fine china; taken out and used on occasion, cleaned and maintained regularly.
Shannon
missficklemedia.com
Excellent comments!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Very helpful! I am in the EXACT same situation, I have been working with copper wire for my jewelry making and noticed recently that my fingers were turning green. I have been selling my jewelry at art fairs and online, and had no idea my jewelry would do that.. so I just ordered some sterling silver plated wire, I hope this does the trick, since I can not afford the good stuff.. :-)
ReplyDeleteI so share your feelings about the prices. Try sterling silver filled wire, Angela. It's better than silver plated as there is more silver in it!
ReplyDeleteTry to coat the part that will be touxhing tour skin with a clear nail polish. I heard this works. Mayve use it on a piece thats not importabt to try it first.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why the following miracle is not posted all over the net. It was given to me by a jeweler on FB. Dip the copper wire briefly in liver of sulfur, then in a baking soda and water solution to stop the patina process. Let dry. Coat with Sculpt Nouveau (Regular) coating and it will turn nobody green---even the most susceptible. Keeps the copper at a beautiful sheen and no worries.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip on Sculpt Nouveau!
DeleteFor some of my copper pieces, I use clear spray paint to coat the area that will touch the wearer's skin. Otherwise, I just leave the metal as is because I like the natural oxidisation of the metal and the way the oxidisation wears off when you wear it. I feel it gives simple pieces more depth.
DeleteGood points, Hexabelle! I think it is down to personal preference and also the particular design of the piece.
DeleteThanks for all the comments and advise. I'm new to jewelry making, but was beginning to notice a trend in my own copper gemstone rings. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteI use coatings meant for copper roofs. No skin reaction. Expensive but a pint lasts for a year or more.
ReplyDeleteHi Pearl, love your blog and great answer to the problem of copper turning skin green. Very helpful :)
ReplyDeleteI was hoping for something less toxic to keep my skin from turning green, which it does within 5 minutes of putting on any of my favorite copper bracelets. I don't wear any lotions, and I didn't buy bracelets to keep them in a plastic bag.
ReplyDeleteThere's just got to be something out there that's not as toxic as clear lacquer, paint or nail polish, which I never wear. The desperate search goes on, I guess...
You can also try beeswax. But you will have to wax often.
Delete