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Tarnish-proofing copper jewelry

I am strongly interested in staging my part of a resurgence of copper jewelry, so I need to find an easy, relatively inexpensive (for the customer's sake), and readily available resource that I can coat the focals, findings, and even the wires I am using to make chains with. Most of my customers say they love the color of copper as I do, but are afraid of the "green skin" thing, so I want to head that complaint off at the pass as well as give them a long-term technique for preserving their investments. Thanks.

Marian Greco
jewelry designer/hobbyist - Pueblo, Colorado
2007

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Hi, Marian. Copper is the only metal that is copper coloured, and copper does corrode and turn green easily in contact with skin. So the only solution, and it's imperfect, is to lacquer or clear coat the items. There are many brands and types, and several products available from the companies which make this site possible are shown in the banner at the bottom of the page. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
April , 2008