Eco Friendly Way To Clean Copper Jewellery

Bracelet made with Genuine Smokey Quartz & Antiqued Copper finished metal. 

     Copper is one of my favorite metals. The rich color is perfect for all season's, but, fall really gets a warm up with these  rich, warm colors.
   Some pieces look best with the pink gold color of shinny new copper, some stones look best with the deep rich color of aged copper and some pieces need a combination of both to make it look amazing!
  I love use recycled copper, re purposed copper wire and vintage, up cycled copper jewellery materials.

Bracelet made with Recycled Copper Wire & Turquoise 

  The vintage copper components are more difficult to find because most of the copper was plated with gold or silver. Copper was often used as the base metal for vintage costume jewellery. These days the better costume jewellery has a copper base and the cheaper jewellrey is made with less expensive metal alloys.
  I use a high quality copper wire with an anti tarnish coating for many of my wire work pieces. The coating does not last forever,but, it lasts a long time before it starts to turn dark.

  I enjoy making my own components like clasps, earring wires, etc with copper wire. I really enjoy using my recycled copper wire for toggle clasps and wire wrapping stones like in this bracelet in the photo below (part of my Eco Friendly Collection). The stones are alabaster saved from an old vintage necklace, recycled copper wire with a little gold plated copper wire accenting the clasp.

   When you fall in love with shinny new copper with it's pink gold color and then it starts to turn dark over time, you may get disappointed or you will fall in love with the incredible deep reds and purples that shine through the dark, aged copper.
    If you want that shinny new copper look back, You can clean your copper with an eco friendly, non toxic method and you probably already have this copper cleaner in you kitchen it's ketchup. Yes ketchup!

      Warning: Only use this method on plain, solid copper (without stones)! 
      Do not use this method on coated copper.
      Do not use this method on plated copper.
      Do not use this method on Antique & Vintage copper jewelry or coins because you will remove all traces of age or natural patina on the copper. You can never get that back. It will look new and devalue the piece.
      Do Not use this method on jewellery is made with gemstones, semi precious stones, especially pours stones  like turquoise, blue lapis, malachite, howlite, moonstone, laboradite,  pearls shells, wood, horn and other organic materials or synthetics like plastic because the ketchup contains acidic ingredients like vinegar and the acid can damage stones, the red color can also discolor some materials, especially pearls.
      Do not use this method on plated copper because you could remove the plating.
(Please contact me to find out what method is best for cleaning my jewellery creations)


   I often clean this copper ring I made with recycled copper wire. I like to wear this ring with the shinny new copper look in the summer, but, I also like to wear it dark in the fall and winter with my other darker jewelry.
   Silver and un coated copper oxidizes on me fast, so. I took some photo's the last time I cleaned  this ring to show you how easy it is to clean it.
  You can see how beautiful the oxidized copper is with the rich colors, it looks like a completely different ring.

Copper Ring Before Cleaning

Copper Ring After Cleaning with ketchup.

 Step 1-place copper jewelry in a glass container, not plastic or metal.

Place Ring in Glass Container-Not plastic or metal

Step 2-cover copper with ketchup.

Cover Ring with Ketchup.
Leave in Ketchup for about 20 second and check to see if it ready. If not, cover it with ketchup again and keep checking.
Do not leave in ketchup longer than needed because the acid with eat away at the copper and could damage it.

 Step 3-leave the copper in the ketchup for 20 seconds and then check to see if it's clean. If it's not clean enough for you, cover it with the ketchup again and keep checking often. It usually works very fast. Do not leave it in the ketchup too long or the acid in the ketchup will eat away at he copper and damage your piece.

Step 4-Rinse well with water to remove all the ketchup.

Step 5-Wash with gentle, chemical, perfume free, sulfide free soap to remove all residue, then rinse thoroughly with water to remove all traces of soap.
   Soap with sulfides, harsh chemicals and perfumes can harm the copper and cause it to tarnish faster.

As you can see, it's really easy and it only took a couple minuets to complete. 

  You can practice on old copper coins or on an inexpensive piece of copper jewelry to start.
   Have fun with your copper and please read the warnings. Once you remove the aged look, you cant get it back.
  Let me know how this method works for you and please share any ideas for Eco friendly cleaning, especially for jewellery materials.
  Have a peaceful and creative day.
                                                   Jacqueline

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