Caring for your Copper

Copper ages beautifully! I love the way copper patinas overtime, so I never use any cleaner on my copper.  However, it does lose its luster after heavy wearing, so I recommend cleaning it with a jewelry polishing cloth.  This will not take away the patina, but it will shine it up!

If you find that the copper is leaving oxidation marks on your skin (that fancy little green spot), the best thing to do is make sure you are keeping it clean.  Giving it a quick swipe with a polishing cloth before or after wearing it will remove the oxidation from the metal so it doesn't transfer to your skin.  If this doesn't help (as some are more reactive with copper), you can have the piece sealed.

What is Niobium?                                         

Niobium is a hypoallergenic material that comes in copper or silver colored finishes,  It is a fantastic, high-quality metal that makes a great alternative to copper for those with metal sensitivities.  I use this metal for the ear wires on most of my copper earrings,  

What is Gold-filled?

Gold-filled is a United States layered gold product that is gaining popularity throughout the Americas, Asia and Europe. It is a quality material that is common in all types of jewelry. The product is easy to care for and will usually maintain its golden shine for a lifetime. Gold-filled is constructed in two or three layers. The core metal is jewelers’ brass. A gold alloy is then bonded to one or both surfaces of the brass core with heat and pressure. Unlike plated (aka electroplated or "dipped") metals, Gold-filled is legally required to contain 5% or 1/20 gold by weight. This 5% is then described by the karatage of the gold alloy. My Gold-filled items are 14kt gold-filled. 14k Gold-filled products are identified as 14/20 Gold-filled.