Cleaning Copper Jewelry: A Guide

Cleaning copper jewelry can be tricky, especially where there are gemstones set into it it. Not only is it difficult to work around some of the more intricate pieces in your jewelry, but you will need to take special care to avoid damaging any stones that may be in your jewelery. By using certain materials and tools you will be able to clean your copper jewelry without causing damage.

Step 1 – Examine Your Jewelry Piece

Your copper jewelry may have been sealed by the manufacturer. You should know if your piece is one that has been sealed. Examine it carefully for dullness and corrosion. On a piece that is lacquered the surface will usually appear duller. If you see spots of corrosion beginning to appear, you can usually determine that it has not been sealed. Look for flecking that may appear as plating, that is also an indication of peeling lacquer.

Step 2 – Clean Lacquered Jewelry

Use a solution of detergent and warm water to wash your copper jewelry piece. This will remove superficial debris and any oily or greasy substances. When finished cleaning, rinse with fresh water to avoid soap residue accumulation. Use caution while washing so as to avoid loosening any inset stones. Allow the jewelry to dry thoroughly.

Step 3 – Remove Light Tarnish

To remove light tarnish that may appear as brown or red stains, make a acid based paste consisting of  equal parts of vinegar, flour, and table salt. Mix this paste in a bowl, then, apply the paste lightly with a soft cloth to the copper surface of your jewelry you wish to clean. Briskly rub this paste onto the copper, then, rinse with warm, clean water. Allow it to sit until dry. 

Step 4 – Remove Moderate Tarnish

Remove black spots by mixing a solution of baking soda (1 teaspoon) into a quart of hot water. Immerse your piece in this solution and allow the soda solution to simmer. After ten minutes remove the piece from the water using tongs. In gripping the piece with the tongs, be careful to avoid clamping the ends of the tongs on gemstones that might be loosened. Use a soft, clean cloth to remove the soda solution, then, rinse with a slow-running stream of water.

Step 5 – Remove Severe Tarnish

On a copper finish where you find blue-green tarnish (copper carbonate), use a copper cleanser. Apply a small amount of this cleanser to a clean, absorbent cloth, and rub the cleanser onto the tarnished copper surface. When the tarnish has been removed, rinse off the cleanser with a soft stream of warm water. To remove tarnish from cracks where the cloth is unable to reach, use a soft toothbrush with cleanser applied to it. Be careful in brushing near gemstones set in the jewelry. 

Step 6 – Buff Cleaned Jewelry

When you determine that tarnish has been completely removed from your jewelry, buff the jewelry with a copper buffing cloth.