QuestionHi there
I am beginning to set up a small hobby/business in jewellery making concentrating on non-precious metals, stones etc (Mostly due to cost of silver!) I love using copper and brass, which was fine for college projects but as I am now intending to sell the pieces I make I am worried that copper and brass may not be safe for regular contact with skin. I understand copper can make the skin go green, but are there any dangers with wearing copper or brass and in particular the nickel content (if any) in these metals.
Thanks for your time!
Helen
AnswerHelen, I have not heard of anyone having health difficulty with copper or brass crafted jewelry items. There are reported sensitivities to copper, a developed sensitive nature from exposure to the metal in industrial situations; however, I honestly do not see this as an issue with jewelry you may make. What I have seen reported in safety data sheets concerns copper dusts or mists which are inhaled.
Brass is essentially copper and zinc alloyed into one metal. Copper is essentially copper only. Both of these metals have been used in decorative and useful articles as well as jewelry. The primary problems with copper is that the metal will tarnish and in doing so may create a smudge which will get on the skin. You may find some people have a body chemistry which causes copper(and sterling silver for that matter) to tarnish quickly. Others have no problems with the metals at all. As long as customers are aware that tarnish is an expected event with these metals you should do fine in that regard.
Metals prone to tarnishing such as copper and brass are often given a thin coat of clear lacquer. There are spray lacquers made for use on metal. The metal should be totally clean when the spray is applied and all should be done gently with a light misting followed with another to give a smooth protective layer with no runs in the lacquer.
Nickel is in "german silver" and nickel silver, neither of which contain any silver. The metal is also in most white gold and it is from white gold skin sensitivity that nickel has become better known by the jewelry consumer.
I suggest items such as pins, pendants and perhaps bracelets. Rings do get the most contact with whatever the hands get into and smudge problems may be more likely with rings made of base metal like copper and brass.
I do hope this helps. A complicated data sheet on copper is at this link if you are interested:
http://cdc.gov/niosh/pdfs/0150.pdf
Helen, best wishes with your crafted items. I recently made a large necklace of copper with some silver and moonstones for a special customer. She wanted that look and it was fun to do the piece.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
