We get questions about our copper jewelry. Specifically about it oxidation or darkening with wear.  So, here you go:

I like to think of copper as a living metal. It responds in almost real time to anything applied to it, lotion, soap, hand sanitizer, your skin's p.H.; it reacts. Just think of the Statue of Liberty. That wonderful lady is copper. At one point, she was the shiny rosy color, and over the years with sea water, and weather she darkened, then turned green. The color completely changed. 

This is not a bad thing. Copper will grow with you. You can either love it as you wear it and it slowly darkens. Or care for it and be mindful not to shower or swim with your earring and necklaces, and wash dishes, wash your hands, or apply hand lotion while wearing your rings. These are the basic recommendations for all jewelry by the way, regardless of metal. If you allow it to change and grow with you, like a familiar friend. 

The copper can be polished with polishing cloths or, my favorite, with ketchup. And if done regularly,  will stay shiny for a long time. 

Sometimes copper can be used as a personal barometer. I use my copper jewelry as a gauge for hydration. If I'm dehydrated (I do live in a desert), it starts to darken and I get greening. When I'm careful about removing rings during hand washing, and I'm drinking water like I should, I rarely green. Here's a note- the green left behind on the skin (which is totally natural and non-toxic), can rubbed in to the skin and believed to be an anti-inflammatory. That it the idea behind copper cuffs for arthritis. Ta-Da!

Here is a natural progression of the copper color, for all you curious souls: