QuestionI do a lot of pounded copper jewelry snd I knoe there is a way to color it by using s small torch but don't know exactly how. Can you help?
AnswerDear Sue, coloring copper with heat depends on the colors of oxidation of the copper, the tarnish formed when heat and air are present. These colors stay pretty much in the reddish brown to dark brown to blackish range.
You can see those colors by applying the torch flame to a small piece of copper and experimenting with the results. Heat colors are attractive in the right design but are not very permanent if left exposed to the air, meaning without some sort of lacquer clear coat to keep the air off.
Other colors such as the wonderful greenish blue patina are best achieved with chemicals made for that purpose. Companies such as Rio Grande have antiquing and patina coloring chemicals and it might be worth a peek at their catalogs to see what is available.
Check this website and see what is available in supplies:
www.riogrande.com
I recently made a large neck piece of a primitive design style of many pieces of copper, moonstones and a little brass. The lady client loved it. The non-precious metals can be very wonderful in all sorts of worked forms. Best wishes with this work.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
