✨ Copper and Silver Jewelry Care from Alexa Martha Designs

💎 Your Complete Guide to Keeping Your Handmade Jewelry Beautiful

Whether you're reading this out of curiosity or your once-beautiful shiny rose gold colored hammered, wire-wrapped, or sculpted jewelry has turned a dark reddish-brown color and you're worried this is permanent—no need to worry! This comprehensive guide Copper and Silver Jewelry Care from Alexa Martha Designs will answer all your questions about caring for your copper and silver jewelry.

🥉 Copper and Silver Jewelry Care from Alexa Martha Designs

For all of our bare copper jewelry, care is simple. Pieces like our Adjustable Hammered Copper Overlap Bangleonly require a soft cloth to wipe off sweat and oils at the end of each day of wear.

Our Pre-Waxed Protection: All our copper bangles come pre-waxed with Renaissance Wax and polished to a high shine. This is the same museum-grade wax used to preserve metal artifacts from tarnishing and oxidation. Simply wipe your jewelry clean and store it in the pouch it comes in when not wearing it. Simple Copper and Silver Jewelry Care from Alexa Martha Designs

💚 Caring for Copper Jewelry with Patina

Taking care of pieces like our Long Pointed Oval Copper and Turquoise Earrings doesn't have to be complicated either with Copper and Silver Jewelry Care from Alexa Martha Designs. These handmade earrings receive a patina coating to blacken the metal and increase surface detail. Simply wipe them with a soft cloth to remove any sweat. (We also offer these earrings without patina if you prefer the bright copper look!) Copper and Silver Jewelry Care from Alexa Martha Designs

🤔 Why Does Your Skin Turn Green While Wearing Copper?

This phenomenon is known as oxidation reaction. The copper metal reacts with oxygen in the air, your sweat, and skin oils, creating a green layer of copper carbonate on your skin. This effect can be greater if you:

• 💧 Have naturally acidic skin chemistry
• 💊 Take medications that react with copper oxidation
• 🌡️ Live in humid climates
• 💪 Exercise frequently while wearing copper jewelry

The good news? This green residue is harmless and washes off easily with soap and water!

💪 The Health Benefits of Copper

Copper is said to be beneficial for arthritis and inflammation sufferers like myself. Through constantly working with copper, I've gained greater dexterity and flexibility in both of my hands, especially in the morning when swelling and pain are typically worst.

Personal tip: I also cut out all potatoes and potato starch from my diet (found in all types of noodles, even gluten-free varieties), which has helped significantly with inflammation.

🌟 Complete Care Instructions for Alexa Martha Designs Jewelry

✨ Before Wearing Your Jewelry

Our jewelry is crafted from bare copper, sterling silver (like this Timeless Classic Silver Reversible Teardrop Awareness Bangle), or 14K gold-filled materials. Before putting on any piece:

• ✅ Wipe your jewelry clean with a soft cloth thoroughly
• ✅ Ensure all lotions and perfumes are fully absorbed into your skin
• ✅ Apply all hair products (especially hairspray) BEFORE putting on jewelry
• ⚠️ Hairspray leaves a fine residue that becomes an irremovable coating over time, especially on soft metals like copper

🧼 Removing Patina (Optional)

If you don't like the blackening or antiquing on your piece, there are ways to safely remove the patina without completely ruining it. However, this is a delicate procedure:

DIY Patina Removal: Mix lemon juice and salt together and gently wipe onto copper with a soft cloth. Note: This is not generally advised, and we do not accept returns from items that have been altered in any way, shape, design, or form.

🚫 What to Avoid

Never do these things with your Alexa Martha Designs jewelry:

• ❌ Use tissues or paper towels (they scratch the metal)
• ❌ Use polishing cloths, pastes, or commercial jewelry cleaners
• ❌ Use any cleaners or abrasives on blackened/antiqued pieces
• ❌ Submerge jewelry in water for prolonged periods
• ❌ Wear while swimming (chlorinated or salt water)
• ❌ Wear during workouts or exercise
• ❌ Sleep in your jewelry

🌙 Daily Care Routine

Remove your jewelry like the COVID Memorial Silver Angelwing Necklace - Limited Special Edition before:

• 🏊 Swimming in chlorinated or salty water
• 💪 Workouts and exercise
• 🛁 Showering or bathing
• 🧹 Cleaning with chemicals
• 😴 Going to bed

When you remove your jewelry at the end of your day, take a couple of minutes to wipe it off with a soft jewelry cloth.

Pieces like our Men's Rustic Wire Wrapped Pointed Gemstone Crystal Leather Necklace require the same gentle care and attention.

📦 Proper Storage

If you live in a humid climate, always store your beautiful copper and silver jewelry in a dry, dark place when you're not wearing it. Use the protective pouch that comes with your jewelry to prevent tarnishing and oxidation.

✅ Our Guarantee

Alexa Martha Designs guarantees that all ordered copper and silver products will leave our Montana studio in impeccable condition.

We urge our customers to read the included care sheet that comes with every order containing copper or silver jewelry so you can enjoy your artisan pieces for years to come.

💬 Questions?

I hope this answers all your questions about how to best care for and keep your copper and silver artisan jewelry nice and shiny like the first day you opened your order!

Have more questions? Post them in the comment section below, and I'll be happy to help!

With care and craftsmanship,
Alexa Martha Designs

✨ Handmade with love in Montana since 2015