Copper jewelry product care
Most of the copper I use is natural and untreated. Keep your copper jewelry clean by occasionally washing it with lukewarm, soapy water. Then, dry and polish with a soft cloth. You can also use a soft cloth to gently polish your jewelry using a polish.
If your copper should tarnish, as copper naturally does, you can clean your jewelry using one of the following methods to restore its original shine:
- Use table salt and vinegar - pour salt and vinegar over your jewelry and gently rub into the jewelry until any grime or tarnishing is removed. Rinse with water and polish with a soft, dry cloth.
- Use salt and lemon - pour salt on half of a lemon and rub over jewelry, or pour salt and squeezed lemon juice onto jewelry and gently rub in. Rinse with water and polish with a soft, dry cloth.
When your copper is not in use, store in plastic bags to slow the tarnishing process.
Over time, copper jewelry will loose its bright shine and take on a patina of its very own.
for at home remedy for you can use anything with a high acidic content such as lemon juice, tomato ketchup, or even Worcestershire sauce. Just follow these simple steps.
Supplies: a small glass or ceramic dish, the acidic cleaning agent of your choice, a old toothbrush, soap and a drying towel
Gather your supplies and your copper jewelry. Place one piece of jewelry in the dish and pour the cleaning agent over the item and allow it to set for a short time in the liquid, about 10 to 20 minutes. I usually use a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice and turn the copper over every few minutes to assure an even cleaning. NOTE: You may have to change the cleaning liquid a couple of times if the copper is extremely dirty. To move the process along, you may use your old toothbrush to gently scrub into the cracks and crevasses of the design. When you have achieved the desired cleaning, run clear water over the jewelry to rinse. Then use a little soap and the toothbrush to clean just a little more, rinse and pat dry with a towel.
Please DO NOT leave your jewelry in the acid soak for and extended period of time OR if your copper jewelry has pearls, or any other soft stone DO NOT use any of these ways of cleaning!
**How to Get Green From Copper Off Your Hand
Copper jewelry, or jewelry that is made of an alloy that is rich in copper, can begin to turn green over time, when it is exposed to water and oxygen. If you don't clean it from the jewelry quickly, it can actually begin to break down the metal and corrode the item. If you were wearing a copper ring, the green color can be transferred to your skin. Remove it from the skin quickly.
- Wash your hands with soap and water. Pay special attention to the green stains on your skin.
- Scrub the green stain with a nail brush. Be careful not to damage your skin, but work until the stains are gone, or until they are as light as possible.
- Soak a clean cloth in white vinegar, if the green stain is still visible.
- Rub the cloth over the green stain on your hand, until the stain is gone.
- Soak a cloth in lemon juice, if the stain is still visible.
- Rub the lemon juice over the green stain until it is gone.
- Rinse your hands with clear water and dry them completely.