The title should actually be 'The New Silver?' but I didn't want anyone Googling a lower cost replacement for sterling wire to be disappointed! Anyway, this post is about the pricing and use of copper in jewelry today. I mention bronze only in passing, as its popularity has risen along with copper's.
You'll have noticed the trend over the last few years of the use of mixed metals in jewelry with copper (and bronze) rising to the forefront. Copper and bronze are HOT baby! But are they really?
Well, yes, apparently they are. Copper was always the material of choice for industrial purposes (pipes and electrical wire primarily), but not for jewelry fashions. In the past century and a half, copper and bronze were the red-headed stepchildren to gold and silver, with a short departure during the Arts and Crafts Movement from1860 to 1910--- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arts_and_Crafts_movement . Then again in the seventies, we saw copper band and cuff bracelets hit the market due to the arising metaphysical belief that wearing copper helps with arthritis pain and/or other maladies. First, let's take a closer look at these metals.
Copper is a reddish, non-ferrous (not related to iron) soft, malleable 'precious' metal with a high electrical conductivity. If interested, learn more about copper here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper
Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin and other metals. It's not a 'precious' metal. Here is Wiki's link about bronze:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronze
I don't know about you, but my generation tended to look down on copper as a cheap, undesirable metal for jewelry. Copper loses its brightness quickly and if you don't maintain it with frequent polishing, it gathers a thick, greenish patina that often rubs off onto skin. Bronze darkens fast as well and is hard to polish up to its gold-like brightness. So why are they so popular now?
With the economy in its present state, the cost of gold is, of course, out of sight. With everything else going up, the resultant soaring fuel prices have made silver prices soar as well. What we used to pay for inexpensive silver jewelry a decade ago, has now tripled, at least. Of course, it's still more affordable than gold but the steadily rising costs are gradually putting silver out of reach to us small time beaders and jewelry makers. Enter copper. Though the price of copper is on the rise and supposedly there has been a recent shortage of this metal, it is still attainable at an affordable price right now. Who ever would have imagined the unpopular copper to have risen to be such a desirable metal for jewelry?
For a quick example, just go online to HSN or QVC and search the Jewelry sections. Or look in any fashion magazine. You can now find several jewelry designers/companies promoting their copper and bronze jewelry and it's quite affordable....and quite beautiful, too! But once upon a time it was almost unthinkable. Not.Fashionable.At.All. The very concept of copper or bronze jewelry shouted 'Cheap Cheap Cheap!' like the proverbial spring robin. Nope! Not 'The Real Thing'.
My, how times have changed all that! Copper is now extremely de rigueur. Jewelry makers like it because it's easy to work with in a variety of ways, whether bending, wire-wrapping, making chain maille or stamping, due to its malleability. And it lends itself equally well to ethnic, tribal, vintage or modern designs. It's acceptable, even desirable now for it to sport its natural patina. Jewelry supply places even sell chemicals to help speed up the patina process or you can buy copper wire that is coated to look aged. Funny, too, how it's now trendy to call it 'patina' instead of the more derogatory sounding word 'tarnish'.
Here is a good yet simple guideline on caring for your copper pieces:
http://www.overstock.com/guides/how-to-care-for-copper-jewelry
It mentions storing copper jewelry in plastic zip-lock baggies to help reduce oxidation and thus, the tarnish--oops, sorry! I meant patina, away. I've done this for years with my silver and gold jewelry as well as I'm not overly fond of polishing it. Storing this way also helps keep chains and earrings from getting all tangled up in one another, which can ultimately damage them. You can purchase small ziplock bags at hobby/craft stores that are smaller than regular sandwich type bags or you can get those half size snack baggies, which are a good size for most necklaces and bracelets. Also note the guideline's warning not to use silver polish on copper or to try to shine up copper that has had patina added to it on purpose. That will scratch and ruin your lovely copper jewelry.
When all is said and done, copper truly is a beautiful metal. I love the look of it with turquoise, blue and green semi-precious stones especially, and how it juxtaposes their coolness. Copper is fantastic with earthtone neutrals and is fabulous with reds, purples, pinks and corals, too. It's rich, earthy and warm looking and goes well with any skin tone. There's just something uplifting and 'real' about it that I like very much. It 'speaks' to me.... So, until I hit the lottery or it falls out of fashion favor, you'll find me using lots of copper in my creations now. :):):)
Till next time!
Ask yourself: Have you been kind today? Make kindness your modus operandi and change your world.
Annie Lennox (1954)
Scottish Singer Songwriter, Political Activist And Philanthropist
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