Jewelry making is
proving to be one of the most lucrative industries in the U.S. as sales are expected to rise to just over $35 billion by
2019. As the demand for fine jewelry made from precious metals and
stones increases, however, jewelers might want to keep in mind people who
suffer from metal allergy. When choosing a base metal for a certain piece, it
would be better to avoid nickel, cobalt or chromium because these elements are
known to be contact allergens. Some people are even allergic to gold due the
high prevalence of contact allergy associated with it.
If you are
looking for hypoallergenic and economical alternatives to the aforementioned
metals, consider copper and its alloys instead. Copper’s antimicrobial
properties make it perfect for people who experience skin irritation when
wearing certain types of jewelry. Here are some useful tips for when you go
looking for supplies of copper and brass sales.
Preserve Its Natural Color
Copper’s
gorgeous, reddish hue is what makes it very desirable especially now that the
famous “rose gold” tint is used on everything these days. Unfortunately, copper
and copper alloys oxidize rather quickly when exposed to the elements. Direct
contact to skin and lack of maintenance on the end user’s part also speed up
the oxidation process. To preserve its lovely color, you can protect it by
sealing it securely and using renaissance wax.
On the other
hand, some jewelry makers prefer to mount copper onto a backing made of a
different material. For instance, a copper bracelet may be placed on top of a
sterling backing so that it doesn’t directly come in contact with the wearer’s
skin. Similarly, copper earrings may be designed with colored niobium ear wires
because this metal is highly resistant to corrosion and generally safe for
people with sensitive skin.
It’s also a good
idea to sell copper products along with anti-tarnish tabs or bags. This way,
you can advise buyers to keep jewelry in these special containers when they
take them off. Give your customers some pointers on how to clean their jewelry
to stop oxidation as well.
Give It the Vintage Treatment
If you want to
give your pieces that timeless look, you could just let nature take its course,
so to speak. To the right buyer, antique and vintage jewelry with a beautiful
patina (greenish or bluish discoloration on the surface) are just as valuable
as the shiny pieces. The patina even acts as a protective barrier between the
skin and the jewelry itself.
Artisans can
achieve this effect in several ways, but perhaps the most popular method of
patinating copper is using liver of sulfur (LOS). LOS is a mixture of potassium
trisulfide and potassium thiosulfate that alters the color of metals. Jewelry
pieces are dipped into the solution and then sealed using acrylic resin or
craft lacquers. The result is a darkened coloration depending on how long they
were submerged into the solution.
Copper and brass
are excellent materials to work with no matter how you choose to create your
jewelry. Make sure to source them from trusted suppliers, such as Rotax Metals.
About Rotax Metals
Rotax Metals is a
leading supplier of copper and bronze alloys in all shapes and sizes. We have
been providing high-quality materials to many industries around the world since
1947. Our services also include polishing, metal shearing, waterjet cutting,
metal fabrication and more.
Sources:
Guide to Base
Metals in Jewellery Making, CooksonGold.com
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