Jan/Feb E-Newsletter 2010 Issue 10

Brass, Copper & Pewter: Using Low-Cost Metals in Jewelry

Why not embrace copper, brass, and pewter for their color, availability, and lower cost. Did you know Coco Chanel used to do the same thing create jewelry and accessories that mixed high and low materials like precious stone with glass. For Coco the price tag wasn't what made a piece special; it was the look.

Brass-

Color-
yellow to brown

Strength - medium

Content - 70% copper and 30% zinc, tin and antimony are sometimes added as anti-tarnish measure. Yellow brass has more zinc; red brass has more copper.

Cleaning - Use brass polish for lacquered brass (and don't rub hard!) use a mild abrasive for natural brass.

Design notes - Nickel-free brass can be a good alternative metal for those with nickel allergies.

Copper-

Color - orangey brown

Strength - very soft

Content - An element unto itself; it is usually mixed with other alloys to create metals like brass, bronze, and 18k gold.

Cleaning - There are copper cleaning solutions, but they are pretty caustic; instead make a paste with flour, salt, and vinegar to remove tarnish.

Design notes - Most copper beads and findings are actually pewter or brass coated with copper. Some people's skin turns green when they wear copper; it's a harmless, but unsightly effect that can be easily washed away.

Pewter-

Color - white to gray

Strength - Medium depending on the antimony or bismuth content

Content - 90% tin combined with antimony, bismuth, and/or copper.

Cleaning - Warm, soapy water and a soft cloth; for polished pewter, use the paste outlined for copper.

Design notes - Be comforted to know that most solid pewter made in the U.S. is now lead-free due to federal and state regulations. Regardless, you should still be careful when using antique, imported, or cast antiqued-pewter items-chances are these contain lead. The safest thing to do is use a lead-testing kit to check for lead content.