Copper Care
Copper is a living metal. Unlike plated or imitation jewelry, genuine copper reacts to air, moisture, and your skin — which means it slowly changes over time. With a little simple care, your Copper by June piece will look beautiful for many years, whether you prefer it bright and shiny or rich and aged.
Understanding patina
Over weeks and months of wear, copper naturally darkens and develops a warm, deeper tone called a patina. This is not damage — it's simply how real copper behaves. Some people love the aged, antique look and let it develop freely. Others prefer the bright, rosy shine of new copper and polish it back whenever they like. Both are perfectly fine, and you can switch between the two at any time.
About green marks on your skin
Sometimes copper leaves a faint green mark on the skin underneath it. This is completely normal and harmless. It happens when the metal reacts with moisture, sweat, and your skin's natural chemistry, and it washes off easily with soap and water. It is more common in hot or humid weather. If you'd like to reduce it, keep your jewelry dry, take it off before exercise, and make sure your skin is clean and dry when you put it on. You can also apply a thin layer of clear jeweler's wax or clear nail polish to the surface that touches your skin.
Everyday care
- Put your jewelry on last, after applying lotion, perfume, sunscreen, or hairspray.
- Take it off before showering, swimming, exercising, doing dishes, or cleaning.
- After wearing, give it a quick wipe with a soft, dry cloth before putting it away.
- Wear it often — regular contact with your skin actually helps keep copper brighter, while pieces left sitting in a drawer tend to tarnish faster.
How to bring back the shine
You don't need special products — everything you need is already in your kitchen. Choose one of these methods:
- Lemon and salt (quick refresh): Sprinkle salt on half a lemon and gently rub it over the copper for about a minute. Rinse with warm water and dry completely with a soft cloth.
- Vinegar and salt (deeper clean): Stir a teaspoon of salt into a small bowl of white vinegar and let your piece soak for 15–20 minutes. Rinse well and dry completely.
- Baking soda paste (gentle option): Mix baking soda with a few drops of water into a paste. Rub it on softly with your fingers or a soft cloth, working into any details. Rinse and dry completely.
Always dry your copper thoroughly after cleaning — leftover moisture is what starts new tarnish. Finish with a gentle buff using a soft cloth for extra shine.
What to keep your copper away from
Chlorinated pools and hot tubs, sea water, household cleaning products, bleach, abrasive pastes and scrubbing pads, and direct sprays of perfume or hairspray. When in doubt, take your jewelry off first and put it back on afterwards.
Storing your copper
- Store it clean and completely dry.
- A small airtight zip bag dramatically slows tarnishing; adding an anti-tarnish strip or a silica gel packet helps even more.
- Keep it away from bathroom humidity.
- Store pieces separately so they don't scratch each other.
Questions about caring for your piece?
We're always happy to help.
Email: info@copperbyjune.com Customer support hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Pacific Time (PT), excluding US public holidays.