Copper can be easily shaped and textured. But copper’s rainbow of color possibilities is a creator’s dream. Here is how to get Copper to change colors:

•  Brown – When copper tarnishes naturally in the air, it turns brown. Many people prefer this to the polished copper color.

• Black– A chemical known as “Liver of Sulfur” is used to blacken metals such as copper and silver.

• Gold – I produce this color with heat in a kiln .

• Red – Copper will turn brilliant red, burgundy and pink when heated to a glowing cherry red. A more even color is formed if quenched in a boric acid solution.

• Green (Verdigris)- Copper will eventually turn green if exposed to air and moisture, but a variety of methods can be used to speed up the verdigris process and to produce different shades of green. I sometimes use damp wood chips to get dark green, or salt and vinegar potato chips to get bluish green.

• Blue- “Fuming” is done with salt and ammonia. The piece is suspended in a closed container, creating navy and dark purple spots on the metal.

• Rainbow -Blue, purple and more can be  created by flame painting. It requires lots of heating and cooling in between, (lots of patience). Or dipping the copper into Liver of Sulfur for short periods will create many colors before it turns black.

All of the copper jewelry that I make is sealed to avoid skin contact, and it keeps the colors fresh.

More information on copper can be found here:

Why do Metals Tarnish?

DIY Jewelry Cleaner

Cleaning Silver

Preventing Silver Tarnish

History in the Making