Using Copper

Hi everyone,

I haven't posted on this forum very often so hope this is the right place to ask this!

I use sterling silver for my jewellery making and would like to start using copper. I know copper is usually used for beginners to experiment with before using silver but I think some of my designs are going to look better in copper rather than silver.

I have bought some copper wire and was just going to start using it in the same way as silver but I am getting confused about how I finish it after making the design!

I am guessing I can't put copper in my normal pickle solution as I would with silver as this would be like putting metal tweezers in???

Also how do I polish it? Again I am assuming I can't put it in my polishing barreling machine with the silver?

I am not making anything complicated, very simple designs but I don't want to be left with a piece of copper jewellery that I can't get back to it's nice coppery tone!

Any advice is really appreciated, thank you!

Antonia

Don't pickle it or polish it when there's silver in the pickle or polisher and it won't plate the silver. It might be best to run the barrel with just the shot afterwards to make sure there's no residue on it.

Otherwise, have at it.

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Originally Posted by ps_bond

It might be best to run the barrel with just the shot afterwards to make sure there's no residue on it.

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Or even have a separate barrel and shot, to save time.

Copper does not retain its best brightness for long, so some people coat it. Protectaclear seems a favourite. http://everbritecoatings.co.uk/small...ting-151-p.asp

Copper coloured solder is sometimes asked for, and I have used this one: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/2277...FS8z0wodUssKNQ
It is very hard and needs rolling or hammering flat before snipping.

Lastly, beautiful patinas appear when heating selectively with a torch alone, and are long lasting, but disappear if waxed. Dennis.

I dont pickle copper but it goes in the tumbler with my silver stuff, I only use copper to embellish my rings or pendants, so not a lot of copper on it, but probably about half a cm x half a cm. Do brass the same way. I havent had any disasters yet.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ps_bond

Don't pickle it or polish it when there's silver in the pickle or polisher and it won't plate the silver. It might be best to run the barrel with just the shot afterwards to make sure there's no residue on it.

Otherwise, have at it.

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I regularly tumble my copper/silver completed pieces together, as they are already made and haven't had any issues. What do you mean by residue Peter?

I think the concern was whether metallic copper would rub off on the shot and would then discolour silver. Thinking about it, the soap solution probably prevents that as it does with brass brushes, which if used dry give silver a strange colour cast.

I suspect I'm very cavalier about the whole thing. I cheerfully use one pickle pot for both silver and copper (both separately and together - bearing in mind that some designs use both metals) and happily put them in the same polishers, both magnetic and tumbler.

I've yet to have any problem.

Me too George, I use the same pickle pot for gold too although don't use a polisher.

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Originally Posted by mizgeorge

I suspect I'm very cavalier about the whole thing. I cheerfully use one pickle pot for both silver and copper (both separately and together - bearing in mind that some designs use both metals) and happily put them in the same polishers, both magnetic and tumbler. I've yet to have any problem.

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Google says it's Chevaleuse. That would account for Sarah too.

Haha! are we a bad influence Dennis?
We can always go and sit in the norty corner :rofl:

How lovely! I'll come and sit with you in nortyland Sarah - but I might have to borrow some bits of horse to live up to the name properly :)

Lol! I have twenty horses here George, plenty to spare!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mizgeorge

I suspect I'm very cavalier about the whole thing. I cheerfully use one pickle pot for both silver and copper (both separately and together - bearing in mind that some designs use both metals) and happily put them in the same polishers, both magnetic and tumbler.

I've yet to have any problem.

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Me too I've never heard anything about not pickling them together though I guess doing lots of copper in there means you'll have an even more spectacular plating incident if you grab the wrong tweezers... Mmmm pink silver.

I often pickle silver and copper together, and haven't had any problems, same with tumbling together :)

https://patternedart.wordpress.com/2...ume-gane-ring/

I made a ring with three copper dots that my mum has worn for 4-5 years and I've seen the corrosion first hand, anything worn next the the skin with do it right? Worn daily it has probably corroded by .1 mm over that time enough to be noticeable dip.

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Originally Posted by ps_bond

https://patternedart.wordpress.com/2...ume-gane-ring/

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great article thanks Peter!

A really interesting article, I especially liked the part about making sweat solution - I used to work in a textile lab and had to make it (along with saliva solution, sea water and chlorinated swimming pool water) to test the colourfastness of fabric dyes.

Thank you for everyones help!

Sounds like I just overcomplicated using copper, I've made lots now and have had no issues with pickling and tumbling with silver!