How to Clean Copper Jewelry?

Copper, a versatile metal known for its earthy, red-brown color, is responsible for many unique and long-lasting jewelry designs. Copper is durable and affordable, making it an excellent material to round out any jewelry collection. With reasonable care, your copper jewelry can last generations.

Like most other jewelry, copper jewelry can change color over time, from a shinier brown to a deeper, golden brown. If not regularly cleaned, pure copper jewelry can turn green and develop a patina, and a polishing cloth will not be helpful. So, does copper jewelry change color and does copper jewelry tarnish? Yes, it certainly does, as natural oxidation affects its appearance over time.

Learn how to best clean your copper jewelry collection so that you can pass your pieces down to your heirs.
 

How to Clean Copper Jewelry: The Procedure

Acidic solutions are the best option for cleaning tarnished copper. You can buy commercial copper cleaners or create an acidic solution at home using household items with a low pH, like lemon juice. Low-pH acidic solutions are often used in cleaning products and can effectively remove discoloration from copper, brass, and other metals.

When cleaning copper jewelry at home, there are two simple options, one using salt and the other using baking soda. Here’s what you will need:

• A soft toothbrush
• Lemon juice
• Salt
• Baking soda
• jewelry polishing cloth or a soft cloth

First, wet your copper jewelry and sprinkle salt on the surface. Dampen the soft cloth with lemon juice and rub the piece until the tarnish disappears. Once you have removed the tarnish, rinse the piece with warm water and dry it off.

Alternatively, you can make a paste with equal parts lemon juice and baking soda and scrub the piece with the toothbrush. Make sure you rinse the paste off after polishing.

If you’re looking for tips on how to clean copper jewelry at home, remember to be extra careful when your piece contains gemstones, like a copper bracelet, pendant or ring, you’ll want to be extra careful when using an acidic solution to clean your jewelry; certain gemstones can become damaged when they come into contact with acidic solutions. If you’re worried about damaging your gemstone, take your copper piece to a jeweler or commercial copper cleaner near you who can perform a professional cleaning.

How Often Should You Clean Copper Jewelry

You should aim to clean your copper jewelry about once every two months to preserve peak shine, especially if you wear copper jewelry daily. The best way to clean copper jewelry is to take your collection (or at least any pieces with a gemstone) to a professional jeweler for a cleaning once a year.

If you have lacquered copper jewelry it may be a while before you see any signs of tarnish. Eventually, though, even lacquer pieces without regular cleaning. Polishing can help restore shine but beware of overpolishing, which can rub parts of the lacquer off.

To preserve longevity, always thoroughly dry your copper pieces after cleaning or polishing and store copper jewelry in an airtight container that protects them from tarnish due to moisture and oxygen. You may want to keep your copper collection in an airtight bag, such as Ziploc, to reduce the interaction with air. Using a sealing coating, like clear nail polish, protects copper jewelry from future tarnishing and scratches while also increasing its luster!

When you wear copper jewelry, avoid swimming pools and any detergents that contain chlorine. Chlorine may cause copper jewelry to turn green over time.

You may notice that your copper pieces leave green stains or residue on your skin after wearing them. This happens naturally when the copper metal reacts with perspiration, and these copper stains are not permanent. Absorbing copper does not harm your body; some people choose copper jewelry to counter a copper deficiency. You can easily remove any green staining by washing the area with soap and water. Avoid wearing copper jewelry if this is something you want to avoid.

If you are wondering how long does copper jewelry last? With proper care and maintenance, copper jewelry can last a lifetime, making it a durable and cherished addition to your collection.

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