What is copper in jewellery?
By Jared James · Last updated 21 May 2026
Definition
Copper is a reddish-orange metal used in jewellery for thousands of years. In its pure form it is soft and develops a green patina, and it can temporarily stain skin green or black where it contacts damp skin. In fine jewellery copper rarely appears on its own; it is more important as an alloying metal, added to gold to create rose gold and to silver to form sterling silver. The small amounts in sterling silver do not cause green staining.
Frequently asked questions
- Does copper jewellery turn your skin green?
- Pure copper can, because it reacts with sweat and skin oils to form copper salts that leave a green or black mark. The staining is harmless and washes off. Copper alloys like sterling silver or rose gold contain much smaller amounts of copper and rarely cause this effect.
- What is copper used for in gold and silver?
- Copper hardens both gold and silver, which are too soft on their own for jewellery that will be worn regularly. In sterling silver the alloy is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. In rose gold, a higher copper content is what gives the metal its warm, pinkish colour.
- How do you care for copper jewellery?
- Keep it dry, store it in an airtight bag to slow tarnishing, and clean it with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. A paste of lemon juice and salt removes oxidation and restores the bright colour if it has dulled.
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