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How to store and care for "Copper Bracelet" (Silver Bracelet)
I am planning on using Hagarty silver strip paper to store and protect
my silver bracelet. I think I'm suppose to change the paper every 6 months! The bracelet has also been surrounded by common jewelry tissue paper. But, what should I do to protect my copper bracelet? What else should I do or be concerned about. Thank you, Chris |
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How to store and care for "Copper Bracelet" (Silver Bracelet)
On Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:53:55 -0700, in rec.crafts.jewelry ChristopherL
wrote: I am planning on using Hagarty silver strip paper to store and protect my silver bracelet. I think I'm suppose to change the paper every 6 months! The bracelet has also been surrounded by common jewelry tissue paper. All this paper or products like it do, is to absorb/neutralize the sulphide compounds in the air that can react with the copper in sterling silver causing it to tarnish. It doesn't reverse existing tarnish, of course, nor does it offer protection against anything else. Tarnish protection is still nice, but not absolutely essential, since it's also not that hard to remove it when it forms, simultaneously restoring the bright polish. Any decent rouge or similar silver polishing cloth can do that when needed in a few moments, if used before the tarnish gets too black. Easier yet, are dips like Tarnex, which also remove black or discoloring tarnish, though they don't shine the metal up again, so you still need the polishing cloth. And if you wear the bracelet at all, you'll find that even stored with the Hagarty paper, it may still get wear on the finish that will benefit from the same occasional work with the polishing cloth By the way, the Hagarty brand is not the only such paper on the market. They may not even be the manufacturer. The best known brand direct from the maker is the 3M line of anti-tarnish paper. Usually sold through jewelry tools or packaging distributors, such as Rio Grande. www.riogrande.com It's a black paper much like construction paper in look, and how long it lasts depends much on whether it's in a closed/sealed space or not. Put the bracelet in a closed box or zip lock bag with a bit of that paper for better protection than just loosely wrapped. By the way, not all sterling silver needs anti-tarnish protection. Some standard sterling silver commercially made jewelry is electroplated by the manufacturers with a rhodium electroplate. Rhodium is one of the platinum group of metals, quite white in color but not as white as silver itself (a bit darker, more like a "chrome" color) If your bracelet has been rhodium plated, then it's already fully protected against tarnish, at least until you physically wear through that plated layer. Many, if not most, sterling silver chain sold commercially is rhodium plated, for example. Most hand made or custom made silver jewelry, however, is not (It's not so simple to do, and many people prefer the native color of the silver to that of rhodium. Plus, rhodium is a very expensive metal, so even a thin electroplate costs money.) But, what should I do to protect my copper bracelet? Again, the tarnish that forms on silver is composed of copper sulphides, and a little bit of silver sulphides. With copper, the main tarnish that forms is also sulphides, but copper can form direct oxides too, usually when heated or more aggressively treated. The same chemical protectants in the silver paper will also work with copper, and the same products used to remove existing tarnish will work too, on copper. Because copper reacts a bit more quickly than sterling silver, the paper may need changing more often. Whether your copper needs any special protection depends in part on how it's made. Much of the copper jewelry sold has had a clear lacquer applied to protect the surface, because copper tarnishes or oxidizes rather quickly in air. If your bracelet is coated this way, then the use of anti-tarnish paper will have no benefit. Use it only if you notice the bracelet having a tendancy to discolor. Or skip the treatment and accept that copper's natural appearance is an oxidized one. It can be quite pretty that way, and if you like it like that, then you save yourself the hassel of always trying to clean up something that doesn't really want to be bright copper color... What else should I do or be concerned about. Well, for one thing, be aware that despite lots of folk lore about copper jewelry, especially as relates to arthritis, copper is actually somewhat toxic to humans. Some people more than others, react poorly to it. Some folks are very allergic to it. In some some other species (like fish, invertebrates, etc) it's Highly toxic. (don't toss pennies into your aquarium...) If you're hoping for health benefits from copper, do your research in respected medical sources, not from those folks trying to promote or sell you something. While there are lots of folks claiming benefits of copper who'd then like to sell you some, there are no serious and properly done studies that actually show such benefits, and any decent dermatologist can tell you about folks for whom it's not a good thing. On the other hand, if all you are seeking is simply the beautiful look of copper, then simply be on the lookout for any skin irritation that might occur with some people where the copper comes in contact. If this happens, you can isolate the copper from your body by coating the contact surfaces with something like clear nail polish or another coating of the sort. Works just like the clear lacquers sometimes used to protect the copper from tarnishing. And there are also many people for whom there is little noticable reaction, and they can usually enjoy copper jewelry without problems. Peter Rowe |
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How to store and care for "Copper Bracelet" (Silver Bracelet)
On Sep 9, 3:22 pm, "Peter W.. Rowe,"
wrote: On Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:53:55 -0700, in rec.crafts.jewelry ChristopherL Well, for one thing, be aware that despite lots of folk lore about copper jewelry, especially as relates to arthritis, copper is actually somewhat toxic to humans. Some people more than others, react poorly to it. Some folks are very allergic to it. In some some other species (like fish, invertebrates, etc) it's Highly toxic. (don't toss pennies into your aquarium...) If you're hoping for health benefits from copper, do your research in respected medical sources, not from those folks trying to promote or sell you something. While there are lots of folks claiming benefits of copper who'd then like to sell you some, there are no serious and properly done studies that actually show such benefits, and any decent dermatologist can tell you about folks for whom it's not a good thing. On the other hand, if all you are seeking is simply the beautiful look of copper, then simply be on the lookout for any skin irritation that might occur with some people where the copper comes in contact. If this happens, you can isolate the copper from your body by coating the contact surfaces with something like clear nail polish or another coating of the sort. Works just like the clear lacquers sometimes used to protect the copper from tarnishing. A few things to consider: As Peter says, if your copper is already protected by some sort of varnish there is nothing else you'd want to or have to do. (Conscientious as Peter is - I wish all newsgroup moderators would be.) While copper sulphate is somewhat poisonous, and sulfur is what reacts with copper, copper doesn't plain oxidize, copper sulphate is a rather inert substance. You may want your copper bracelet to 'antique' naturally. That 'tarnish' will protect you from the copper, and it's mostly copper sulfide (black stuff) rather than copper sulphate (blue-green stuff). And, what most people (at least the people I know) are allergic to isn't copper but the cobalt and nickel that's usually in it. One of my reasons to prefer surgical steel earring hooks over sterling silver - but I know a person who's allergic to those too. It depends on whether you're after the shiny appearance or what else you're after. Aloha, Maren HiloBeads: Beads - Beading Supplies - Hand-made Jewelry http://www.hilobeads.com/ Blog at: http://hilobeads.blogspot.com/ (in Hilo, Hawaii, which has a rather high sulfur content in the air) |
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How to store and care for "Copper Bracelet" (Silver Bracelet)
While copper sulphate is somewhat poisonous, and sulfur is what reacts inert substance. You may want your copper bracelet to 'antique' mostly copper sulfide (black stuff) -- "rather than copper sulphate (blue-green stuff)" -- And, what most people (at least the people I know) are allergic to isn't copper but the cobalt and nickel that's usually in it. One of my reasons to prefer surgical steel earring hooks over sterling silver - but I know a person who's allergic to those too. It depends on whether you're after the shiny appearance or what else you're after. Just a small interruption if anyine is interested-- The blue-green coating usually forming on copper exposed to the weather is basic copper carbonate, sometimes called "verdegris", not copper sulphate which is a crystalline solid. (granted, it is blue-green.) Copper sulphate is water-soluble and would wash away from the metal surface when it rains, if it were to form. I am not sure of the mechanism which causes some wearers of copper jewellery to get greenish stains on the skin, it is probable that ammonia or an amine in the sweat allows copper ions to penetrate the skin.. -- end of interruption. G.H.Ireland -- _ _________________________________________ / \._._ |_ _ _ /' Orpheus Internet Services \_/| |_)| |(/_|_|_ / 'Internet for Everyone' _______ | ___________./ http://www.orpheusinternet.co.uk |
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