How to Care For Your Handmade Copper Jewelry - By: John Brana

The best method to keep your handmade copper jewelry nice and sparkling, is to keep it in a re-sealable plastic container or jewelry amoire with anti-tarnish paper. Before storing your handmade copper jewelry, make sure it is clean and moisture free. Look for handmade copper jewelry that has been treated with a protective coating that resists tarnishing. This coating usually wears off over time, especially if the jewelry is in direct contact with skin, such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, and cuffs. Copper earrings usually remain shiny the longest.Once tarnish occurs, it is surprisingly easy to care for copper jewelry just as it is for Sterling Silver or gold jewelry. Any jewelry that is not 100% pure, like Fine Silver or 24K Gold, will tarnish over time, since Copper acts as a catalyst in the oxidation process.

One of the easiest ways to bring back the luster of most handmade copper jewelry is by using a jewelry polishing cloth that can be found at most local drugstores, jewelry stores, or most online jewelry sites. A jewelry cloth (commonly referred to as a rogue cloth) is well worth having, since it can last for years. Have a professional jeweler use an unltrasonic clearner or steam cleaner on more delicate jewelry pieces. Don't risk damaging or devaluing the piece by cleaning it yourself if it's set with gemstones. Quite a few gemstones can be easily damaged by using an ultrasonic cleaner, so you might save a few dollars by cleaning your jewelry yourself, but you might end up with a worthless piece. Take your jewelry to a professional when in doubt. Touch base with the artist you bought your handmade copper jewelry from. Most artists will clean their own work for a nominal fee, or sometimes even for free.

If you find yourself in a pinch for time, here are a few copper cleaning tips (do not use with gemstones or pearl set jewelry), you can use any of these acid based household products:

* Vinegar - (White, Apple Cider, Wine, Balsamic) - Place the item in a glass or plastic container (not metal). Pour enough vinegar into the container until it covers the entire piece of jewelry. Let the jewelry stand in the solution for about 15 minutes. Rinse the jewelry off, dry, and your done!

* Lemon or Lime Juice - Same directions as above for vinegar, but throw in a dash of salt as a catalyst.

*Ketchup or Worcestershire Sauce - Squeeze a dab onto a soft cloth or toothbrush, then rinse throughly under lukewarm water. Try not to get any ketchup or worcestershie sauce on your gemstones, as they should not be subject to any chemical cleaners.

About the Author

John S. Brana's collections of distinctive copper jewelry include beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces designed to set the wearer apart from the crowd. Whether classic or contemporary, each piece is unique, meticulously handcrafted, and made from top-quality copper.

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