TAKING CARE OF
YOUR BRASS OR COPPER JEWELLERY
Your brass or copper jewellery will change color with time and wear - it may start to take on a patina or darker areas, which is completely normal. Some people like this personalised look, and others prefer its original colour.
In any case, learning how to protect pieces from the elements will help prevent your jewellery to tarnish as well as learn ways to clean your favourite pieces going-forward.
GENERAL CARE
Try and store your jewellery in a dry place. Do not store your jewellery in a bathroom where it will be exposed to humidity.
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Avoid water: Remove jewellery when showering or bathing. Do not swim in the sea and in chlorinated water.
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Clean and dry your hands before handling your jewellery to remove oils and humidity.
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Never expose jewellery to household cleaning products, especially bleach and highly reactive solutions.
- Keeping jewellery in closed boxes and containers can help to limit the amount of moisture and oxygen that makes contact with it.
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Consider storing your jewellery in an air-tight container such as a Ziploc bag when you’re not wearing it (particularly the pieces you very rarely wear).
CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS
(Brass & Copper)
OPTION 1 : SIMPLE & EFFICIENT
Metal cleaning/polishing product such as Brasso
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Shake the can or bottle before use.
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Apply a small amount of product to a soft cloth.
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Gently rub the jewellery with the cloth several times. (If the piece is really oxidated, let the product sit for a few minutes).
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Rinse the jewellery thoroughly in warm water.
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Dry and shine with a clean cloth.
OPTION 2 : WEIRD BUT EASY
The ketchup solution
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Spread a layer of ketchup on the piece using a clean cloth or your finger and let it sit for a few minutes.
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Rub the mixture with a soft cloth, applying a firm, even pressure. (If your jewellery has dents, use a toothbrush to work the paste into the dents).
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Rinse off all the paste with warm water and soap (you can use baking soda too) and wipe your piece dry.
OPTION 3: NATURAL SOLUTION
The homemade mixture
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Combine equal parts of vinegar and salt to make a paste.
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Rub the mixture with a soft cloth, applying a firm, even pressure. (If your jewellery has dents, use a toothbrush to work the paste into the dents).
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Rinse off all the paste with warm water and soap (you can use baking soda too)
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Wipe your piece dry.
IN CASE OF HEAVIER DAMAGE - USE SANDPAPER:
Choose your sandpaper:
What grit of sandpaper is required will depend on the surface’s damage:
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If the damage is minimum, use 1200 grit sandpaper.
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If it is more damaged, start with 600 grit (medium) sandpaper and then repeat the operation with the 1200 grit (fine).
Instructions:
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Start by washing the piece using soap and water. Dry it well with a cloth.
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Rub the piece with the sandapaper applying even pressure
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Clean the piece and dry it well. You can then apply a cleaning/polishing product such as Brasso
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DARK OR GREEN TINT ON MY SKIN?
Copper and Brass can sometimes leave some green on your skin depending on body chemistry. Do not worry, it’s not harmful.
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WHY?
Copper (and brass as it is mainly composed of copper) will naturally react with the oxygen in the air, sweat and other chemicals, such as soaps, lotions and makeup.
Over time this causes a blue-green discolouration on the copper, which when worn against the skin rubs off and forms a coating on the surface of the skin. It is not harmful to your health, it is just oxidation of the metal.
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EASY TIPS TO PREVENT IT:
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Clean the piece using cleaning instructions above. Make sure the piece is rinsed and dried well.
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Paint the part of the jewelry that touches your skin with a coat of clear nail polish. This way, you prevent the part of the jewelry that comes into contact with your skin from reacting. Ensure the nail polish is completely dry before wearing it.