Copper Wire

[milomade]

Does anyone use copper wire to make jewellery. I'm thinking of getting some but worried that it will stain the skin and won't it oxideise and turn green?

[Sue]

I use copper wire for chain maille, Yes copper will turn green with prolonged wear, thats normal its the copper reacting to the oil in the wearer's skin. This is the bit that people swear by for arthritis, I don't wear my copper items all the time and when not in use keep in a zip lock bag to prevent it tarnishing, copper is so easy to clean, just leave in lemon juice for a few mins and then rinse well. I have also found that cheap washing up liquid brings it up all shiney as well. Hope this helps

[Sue]

Chris Linacre said:

I can't wait to see what you make. Do you know any electricians because you can salvage wire from any waste wire they have?

My son brought home a load of copper wire ( he had been saving it to sell as scrap) when he worked with his builder friend, in his stash was a gauge of wire which I had been trying for ages to get with no luck, so now I have a large ball to straighten out but perfect for making jump rings for my work, Its much cheaper buying elecrical cable wire and stripping off the plastic coating as you definatley get more for your money although some people might no want the bother of the extra work.

[Bibba Lo]

Probably it will oxidise, it also depends on a skin type and pH of the body but you my look for tarnish free wire like in case of brass and bronze. Also you can use http://www.etsy.com/listing/74931387/50-3m-tarni-shield-tabs-keep-a... to keep you jewellery sparkling when stored before selling. 

 

Good luck 

Bibba Lo

[Karen and Rich]

we buy ours from the scientific wire company, they do a lot of craft wires for jewellery making which are coated so they don't react :) www.wires.co.uk

[Erika Davis]

see this link. http://skeptics.stackexchange.com/questions/1338/does-copper-jewell...

 

Erika