Copper is a beautiful metal - warm and rich in appearance. Until it turns your skin green 🤦♀️
The funny thing is, it's all about your skin chemistry which is entirely unique to you. Some people can wear copper jewellery day in and day out and have no reaction, and other people can put on a copper bracelet and have a wonderful green band around their wrist within minutes.
I make copper cuffs imprinted with leaves and grasses, because the copper provides a beautiful base for the botanical imprint to really stand out and I love being able to make large cuffs that are still affordable for my customers. However I always like to ensure my customers know what to expect. Copper does tarnish over time and although it's a beautiful process it can be surprising how quickly it can happen if you're not expecting it!
I accent the leaves on my cuffs by intentionally oxidising those areas to bring out the details, then sealing them with a hard museum wax. This protects the details and also delays direct contact between copper and your skin. On the inside of the cuff this invisible layer can wear away over time and my customers are always welcome to come back to me to have this reapplied free of charge.
If you prefer I don't apply the museum wax to the inside to allow direct contact between your skin and the copper then do let me know (I often have people request this when they follow the principle that copper can help ease joint pain).
If you do experience a green or brown skin reaction to the copper I advise giving the inside of the cuff a wipe with a polishing cloth to remove any skin oils. Exposure to oils, sweat, lotions and chemicals can accelerate tarnish so it's best to avoid wearing the cuff when you're likely to get unusually warm or when it'll be exposed to any of these things.
The brown or green on your skin is perfectly normal and can be washed away with soap and water.
When storing your copper jewellery it's best to keep it in a clean, dry place away from any beauty products or moisture. Tip: silica packets or pieces of chalk are great for absorbing moisture if you tuck them into your jewellery box or drawer!
Questions? Let me know!
Sarah x