Celtic Copper Jewelry Care FAQs
Will copper jewelry turn my skin green? The longer answer depends on the chemical composition of your perspiration. Copper oxidizes and turns green with some people more often than others. Copper can create a greenish blue patina of copper sulfate fairly quickly with exposure to sweat and the warmth of the body. The color is non-toxic and washes off with soap and
water. Like a copper penny, copper jewelry naturally tarnishes and darkens over time. Oxidization creates an antiqued copper patina that can add depth and character to the texture and detail of copper jewelry. There are many safe, effective and inexpensive ways to clean copper and keep it bright. Does Celtic Copper jewelry have a tarnish-resistant coating? Most of our copper chains and copper jewelry are finished with a light, lacquer coating to protect the piece from tarnish before it reaches the customer. Once worn against the skin the lacquer wears away and the pure, uncoated metal is exposed and comes in direct contact with the skin. Is there any way to preserve the shine of copper? Once worn against the skin the lacquer that once covered the copper jewelry piece wears away and the pure, uncoated metal is exposed and comes in direct contact with the skin. Some people wish to hasten the removal of lacquer on their copper jewelry because they desire the health benefits of copper. If you are some one who prefers the shine of your copper jewelry to last day after day without cleaning it, you may need to reapply your protection. Clear nail polish is a popular method. Crystal clear Spray lacquer is our favorite. Is copper safe for people with metal sensitivity? Nickel is often the culprit with metal sensitivity, not copper. Many of our customers who previously could only wear gold and fine silver without allergic reaction, now routinely wear our jewelry and copper earrings in comfort. Sterling Silver is an alloy of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metal. Copper is unalloyed metal and virtually 100% pure. Changes in health and allergy resistance can occur over the course of a lifetime. We have spoken with customers who report they could previously wear brass and copper and now experience irritation when wearing copper, particularly when wearing heavy copper jewelry. Copper sensitivity is rare, although it does occur. How does copper relieve pain? Copper is an energetically conductive metal with a reputation as a reliable remedy for arthritis, inflammation and stiff joints. We are uncertain how to explain the health benefits of wearing copper jewelry. Think of wearing copper as increasing your conductivity of positive energy. How long have people been wearing copper jewelry? The utilitarian and ornamental use of copper was known to some of the oldest civilizations on record. Copper is named for the Isle of Cypress in the Mediterranean and t he healing attributes of copper were renowned as the sacred gift the Goddess Venus. Those who wear copper jewelry often describe the experience as having a subtle, energizing effect that is grounding, harmonizing and uplifting. How pure is the copper used to make Celtic Copper? We have been in the business of sourcing quality components for over twenty years. Our copper jewelry and findings are made from solid, 99.9% pure copper* like the metal used in electrical wire and copper plumbing pipes. (*Unless otherwise noted, as with our copper-plated lobster clasp and hypoallergenic steel earring findings.) Can I wear my in the shower and pool? Simply wearing your jewelry can help it stay clean. Sitting in a jewelry box can oxidize jewelry but soap and water helps remove dirt and oil. Wear it in the shower; soap up your bracelet chain when washing your hands. Be aware that chlorine, cleaners and chemicals used in pools and hot tubs can discolor metal and delicate gemstones. What’s the easiest way to keep copper jewelry clean and bright? To remove tarnish from copper, cover and soak copper jewelry in white vinegar, soy sauce, catsup or BBQ-sauce, then rinse and dry. The acids in these condiments act as a natural tarnish remover. How do I care for my copper jewelry that has gemstones? Turquoise, lapis, malachite, pearl and other gemstones can discolor with use of liquid cleaners. For copper jewelry with gemstones try a baking soda buff: fill the palm of your hand with baking soda and vigorously rub your piece in it. Chains can be gently pulled through a fist filled with the mildly abrasive powder. The baking soda turns grey as your piece brightens. The Sunshine Polishing Cloth also woks wonders to safely restore the luster of gemstone copper jewelry. What does Celtic Copper use in the shop to shine jewelry? We use a Sunshine Polishing Cloth to buff up our jewelry and add luster to our finished work. Sunshine Polishing Cloths last an amazingly long time and give a superior shine compared to other tarnish cloth products we have tried in our shop. We offer them for sale in our jewelry supply section of our online store.
