How to Repair a Copper Bracelet

Copper bracelets have the reported ability to treat arthritis. They are simple and beautiful pieces of jewelry, but are prone to breakage due to the delicate type of metal. In order to fix a copper bracelet, you must solder it, which involves melting the metal and sanding it down. If you have the necessary tools, you can fix your own copper bracelet, which will save you money. Soldering a bracelet involves an open flame, so ask for help if you feel incompetent.

Things You'll Need

• Butane torch
• Copper patina
• Needle-nose pliers
• Old toothbrush
• Silver solder
• Flux
• Vise/clamp
• 200 to 1,000 grit sandpaper

Instructions

1. Put your copper bracelet into a vise clamp so that it won't move while you fix it. If the bracelet is split into two pieces, only clamp one piece of the bracelet.

2. Use a brush to dab on some flux where you will solder the cracked parts. If the bracelet is split in half, apply flux to the broken ends. If the copper bracelet merely has a crack, liberally apply flux to the crack so that it penetrates it deeply.

3. Fire the copper bracelet with a butane torch on the area you want to fix. Pass the flame over the broken ends of the bracelet for several seconds and watch for melting metal. If it is just a crack you want to fill in, hold the flame over it for a few seconds only.

4. Dab solder to the repaired area and wait for it to melt and fill in the crack. If you are fixing a split bracelet, heat it with the butane while pressing the other half of the bracelet into the broken piece held by the vise. Use a pair of needle-nosed pliers to hold it in place.

5. Hold the bracelet together with the pliers and remove the flame. Allow the bracelet to cool for a few seconds before letting go.

6. Allow the bracelet to cool completely. Sand it down with a 200-grit piece of sandpaper and use progressively finer sandpaper to make it shiny and smooth again.

7. Brush some copper patina over the repaired area to completely cover any evidence of repair.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear gloves and protective eyewear.

References

• Copper: Soldering School