Copper - The New Silver

Gold and silver prices have increased dramatically, leaving a noticeable gap between cheap, plated costume jewelry and expensive solid metal precious jewelry. Silver used to be somewhere in between. Affordable for most, yet solid and beautiful at the same time. Silver still is considerably cheaper than even low carat gold, but higher quality gemstone pieces are getting quite costly.

We are all used to gold filled jewelry and gold filled wire artisan jewelry by now, but there is not yet a viable cheaper variety to solid sterling silver.

This is where the 'new' old copper comes into play. Copper has been known for at least 10,000 years and is widely used in alloys such as brass, bronze and nickel silver. Copper in its pure form has never been used much in jewelry, a few costume jewelry companies specialized in copper jewelry during the 1950s and 1960s (Matisse, Renoir, Rebajes and others) but copper always carried the 'cheap silver replacement' tag.

This is going to change now. Copper has taken it's place, particularly in the artisan jewelry market. Beautiful wire sculptured jewelry pieces, created out of copper wire and adorned with equally beautiful gemstones are taking a stand next to their sterling silver brothers and sisters. Bright peach colored solid copper or darker oxidized metal is a fabulous contrast to blue, black and green colors and a fearless opponent to purple and pink.

More and more enthusiasts discover copper as their metal of choice for exciting handmade jewelry and daring color combinations. The intrinsic value of copper is still low enough to splurge, and everyone can enjoy wearing a piece made out of solid metal.

For a long time now, people have believed in the positive health effects
of wearing copper jewelry. Copper is an essential nutrient that can be absorbed through the skin.

Copper, just like sterling silver, tends to tarnish after a while. Some people might welcome the darker, less shiny color, but if the bright new look is desired, cleaning your jewelry is quite simple: Put it in a small solution of lemon or lime juice with a dash of salt and it will be shiny again in no time. Alternatively, cover the jewelry in ketchup/tomato sauce, wait a couple of minutes and voila, all done.

I love wearing and working with copper. Due to it's malleability and low cost, new and unusual designs are affordable and perfect for every day wear.