Does Copper Jewelry Tarnish?

When we talk about copper jewelry, the piece holds more than just a unique aesthetic – while it is affordable, it is a versatile category that can go well with several vibes and themes.

However, we all know that jewelry is prone to tarnishing, whether we are talking about precious metals like gold or silver – or affordable materials such as copper. 

So, many are wondering – does copper jewelry tarnish? If yes, then how can you prevent it? How can you save it? If you are interested in knowing, then all you have to do is continue reading this article.

Does Copper Jewelry Tarnish?

Yes, sadly, copper jewelry does tarnish – in fact, copper jewelry is one of the first ones to tarnish fast overtime, depending on how you take care of it. 

Why Does It Tarnish?

Copper is one of the metals that easily reacts with moisture, oxygen, and sometimes with your skin oils or sweat – which can help for a layer of patina or copper oxide on the surface of the jewelry.

When the process of tarnishing starts, you can either see a black or dark brown discolouration, which is copper oxide, while you can also see a greenish-blue layer, called verdigris, which typically appears in humid conditions. 

Factors Accelerating Tarnishing

• Acidic skin pH – If you have an unbalanced pH level, then it can also affect the jewelry you are wearing.
• Sweat, lotion, and perfumes – While sweat can also be influenced by regular medication, if you regularly use lotion and perfumes directly on your skin, then that can also cause discoloration. 
• Humidity and moisture – Moisture and humidity can easily accelerate the tarnishing process because exposure to these two can cause chemical reactions faster. 

How To Prevent?

• You need to keep your copper jewelry in a dry place where it is completely away from water and sweat.
• You must store the jewelry in an airtight container or bag.
• It is recommended to apply a wax coating over the surface.

How To Clean?

Cleaning copper jewelry should be an easy process, and for that, you can follow these guides:

• You can use a salt solution blended with lemon juice to clean the jewelry.
• You could try cleaning with a paste of baking soda and water.
• You get plenty of copper cleaners in the market that could help. 

Final Words 

At the end of the day, copper is one of the top metals to tarnish fast, but, you always have the option of saving it by following the preventive measures and cleaning guides mentioned above.

That is all for this article, and we hope you have the perfect answer to your question – Does copper jewelry tarnish? 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do you keep copper jewelry from tarnishing?

• To keep your copper jewelry from tarnishing, rest it in an airtight container away from moisture and humidity, and clean it properly once in a while.

2. Can I wear copper jewelry in the shower?

• Although you can safely wear copper jewelry in the shower, it is recommended not to because exposure to water/shower can accelerate the tarnishing process. 

3. Can you wear copper jewelry every day?

• Yes, you can wear copper jewelry everyday, but you must keep it away from water, humidity, moisture, and air, otherwise it won’t last long. 

4. How to stop copper from tarnishing?

• To stop copper from tarnishing, you must often clean it with copper cleaners or baking soda and water, keep it in airtight bags, and make sure you don’t apply lotions or perfumes directly on it.