Copper: Why the Green?

Fernanda Sibilia "Confite" Patina CuffCopper can be gorgeous in its rosy untarnished hue but often doesn't stay that way.  Smudges, tarnish, oxidation and patina all change the look of copper if left untreated.  Ever noticed how anything copper that is left outside turns a bluish-green color in some places?  And also, with jewelry made of copper, sometimes it leaves a greenish mark on the skin?  

Fernanda Sibilia "Ceibo Hiluan" Mixed Metal EarringsSo why the green?  The reaction is between the natural acids, salt and moisture from skin + sweat combining with the copper.  Think about the patina (a surface reaction) that appears on copper roofs turning them this same frosty color.  This comes from the cupric acid naturally found in the metal which comes to the surface through oxidation (reacting with oxygen) and is triggered by moisture + salt.  This is the same reaction that happens on the skin due to natural perspiration.  

FYI:  The reaction of one individual to copper on their skin varies from person to person depending on the pH of the individual's skin.  

Blonde Chick Ginko Leaf Patina Copper EarringsSo, here's the deal in terms of using copper for jewelry. Unless the copper metal has a coating of some kind on the outside, it will likely cause a green reaction to some people's skin.  

To avoid this, you can use copper wire with a coating already on it -- which is what non-tarnish wire has, or you can seal the surface yourself with a spray enamel, spray varnish, soft polishing wax (like bowlers wax) or clear nail polish.  The same goes for sheet metal.  Any of these options will get the job done as they create a buffer layer between the metal and skin, preventing the green reaction. 

Fernanda Sibilia "Porota" Rose Gold CuffThis same approach can be used on copper whether you want to allow a patina, keeping the green-blue finish or you want your copper forever in a state of rosy shininess. Get your work to have the desired look first, then apply your chosen seal!   

And, yet another option, like the lovely cuff on the right by Fernanda Sibilia, is to get your pieces plated with another metal that does not cause a reaction.  The one here uses rose gold giving a similar effect of copper.

Below are some other fabulous examples of pieces that utilize both the look of the clean metal and the oceanic patina.  

Fernanda Sibilia "Boomerang" Choker

Fernanda Sibilia "Rita" Patina Cuff

Interested in making some of your own smashing jewelry? As a jewelry design instructor at the Sheffield School in New York, I encourage you to take the matter of making into your own hands! Check out the newly launched Jewelry Design Course offered at the Sheffield School.  With thousands of active students and more than 50,000 graduates, Sheffield has trained more design professionals than any other school in the world.

• Request a free Sheffield School catalog describing our distance education courses.
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Comments

[Ricky]

Awesome post. I never knew that was why copper turned green. So, does that mean we can use it to make one of those solar power things once its gets enough of the green stuff on it? Thanks for all the wonderful ideas. I never thought of putting enamel on jewelry before. Thats for the great read and great ideas.

[Marilyn]

Thank you for that informative article. I love working with copper wire and making copper jewelry. It is very interesting how the wire if untreated, turns to the green color and how our skin reacts in different ways to it. It does have a lovely appearance in its natural state and does make beautiful jewelry. So in either state I love it. Thanks for the information and beautiful pictures of the "natural state" of copper.

[Copper]

Wow, I would totally use that for wall art!

[John]

I'm very happy to find this page. I need to to thank you for your time due to this fantastic read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it and I have you saved to fav to look at new things on your blog.

[Mentale dieet plan ervaringen]

I love that type of green. So subtle. And with my red hair it will always match haha.

[Roofing Brisbane]

Excellent Job! Thanks for creating a sensible topic that suits the taste of your readers. Keep up the good Work.

[Designer Dresses]

I love copper jewelry, but as you mentioned it does leave green on the skin. I have been using clear nail varnish for years and has done me well, another tip with nail varnish is to put a drop on the screws on you glasses....that will keep them from working there way out..

[Designer high heels]

Thank you for the great tips.....I will give it a go on a pair of earrings I have. I will let you know how my kin fairs.

[Cotton Dresses]

You guys always post really interesting stuff. I am almost tempted to do a jewelry design course myself. I have subscribed to your RSS feed so excited to see more. Some cool tips to remember.

[vrouw-zoekt-man]

thanks for sharing, it looks amazing!

[Lily J]

These are great pointers that I will definitely have to try because copper always leaves my skin green. Will have to try the clear nail polish trick for sure.

[Roofers Brisbane]

Pretty great post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wished to mention that I’ve truly enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. Thank you for a good webpage and I hope you preserve up the great function. If you do I will keep on to checked out it.

[Shelly Owen]

I personally love allowing the copper to change colors. I think it's beautiful. Besides you can always clean it off with a bit of lemon juice.

[Sally Mae]

Those pieces reminded me of some of the amazing copper art I saw on modernabstractdecor.com/modern_copper_art.

[Free digital images]

I have always liked copper and I love your work.

[Custom Made Dog Collars]

If animals have their own accessories to unleash their cuteness, well humans also have their own accessories too. These blings could extremely help boost teh physical look of a person.

[Frederick Oldham (Roofing Guy)]

I really love the look of the patina on the copper roofs i've done in the past. I love the fresh shiny copper too. Can't decide which more. Have always wondered what the statue of liberty would have looked like shiny.

[Israel]

Awesome, siempre me pregunte como es que el cobre se pone de color verde, aclarado mi duda, gracias.

[jam tangan replika]

what is copper for? but that was awesome to turn into some hand craft.

jam tangan replika
http://www.indojam.com

[paper bag jakarta]

Dreamers chart their own course and destiny. Dreamers are always striving to be the person they were meant to be and are not afraid to be different

[hargatronik]

uuuh, thats so dirty..