How to Add Copper to Gold for Jewelry Making

The rising cost of materials is forcing jewelry makers to look for alternative items to use when they are crafting gold jewelry. One of the things they are doing to keep the cost down is to mingle bits of copper into their gold jewelry. The copper still looks elegant, but costs considerably less then the gold. Another advantage to using copper instead of gold in your jewelry designs is that the copper is better suited to people with a warm complexion.

Instructions

1. Take a class on jewelry making. There are several jewelry making classes available online that will teach you how to mix and match several types of metals into a salable design.

2. Find a jewelry supplier who offers their clients copper. You will want to make sure that the copper you purchase for your jewelry making is high quality and flexible. When your copper arrives make sure that there aren’t any green spots, which are a sign of tarnish.

3. When you are purchasing copper to add to your gold jewelry designs you should be aware jewelry suppliers offer two types of finishes on the copper. One type of copper that commonly appears in jewelry is called a bright finish; this is a shiny finish that works very well when mingled with gold. The second type of finish, the antique finish, has a more worn appearance and tends to look tired when paired with gold.

4. When you are ordering copper wire, you need to remember that the higher the gauge number, the softer the wire will be. Softer wire is easier to bend but it is harder to get the wire to maintain its shape. Match the gauge of copper wire to the same gauge of the gold wire that you are going to use in your jewelry project.

5. Decide what kind of look you are looking for with your jewelry. If you want the item to look like it is made out of gold you should avoid using copper in the parts that will be visible while the item is being worn. Use gold in the visible sections and save the copper for the parts that aren’t visible, such as the clasp, jewel backings and earring posts.

6. Consider mixing and matching the two metals. This is an especially useful trick if you are making a piece of jewelry that involves the use of multiple chains, or different types of beads. The copper will give your jewelry an earthier look while the gold adds sparkle and elegance.

Tips & Warnings

• To save even more money on your jewelry designs, you may want to consider using beads and wires that are simply copper- and gold-plated.