[Jewelry making - Article 00038] - Re: [Orchid] [Info needed] Brass and copper

[John Burgess]

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>     Many people believe that copper has a theraputic quality for the
>     treatment of arthritis.  Copper and brass will in time, depending on
>     the persons chemistry, leave a green/black mark on the skin from
>     oxidization. 

    G'day; whilst I don't want to get into the realms of scientific
    medicine v. folk medicine, I should mention that the stain produced
    by copper and brass on flesh is not really oxidation, although that
    may come into the equation later. Perspiration contains a wide
    variety of substances, from common salt (sodium chloride) to fatty
    acids; and a whole swag of other things. The action of salt on copper
    will produce copper chloride.  Some of the fatty acids include
    acetic, butyric, propionic, and others and all of these react with
    copper metal.  Then there's all the products made by bacteria
    enjoying the warmth and moisture under copper and brass jewellery, a
    very large number of which react with the metal. As to whether these
    are harmful or not, I cannot say. Human skin is purported to be a
    one way material, but some things can and do get in and react with
    body fluids. It is the reaction of copper and the copper in brass
    with the body to produce substances soluble in body fluids which
    might cause problems. 

    Whatever one uses in the way of lacers and varnishes on jewellery,
    will not last long, and will soon wear off.  Which is why the 'noble'
    (precious) metals have lasted over the millennia as jewellery
    materials. 

Cheers for now,
John Burgess;   johnb AT ts.co.nz of Mapua Nelson NZ


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