Copper Earwires

by Suze
(Indiana)

Hi Stacy, I have seen some copper wires and was wondering how safe they are to wear? I know copper has some therapeutic benefits for joints. Can you coat them with the Permalac™ or a clear lacquer?

I love your ficus leave bracelet. It is very nice.

Thanks for your help.

Stacy's Answer:

Hi Suze. Thanks for your question and for the nice comment about my ficus leaf cuff. While I do put a protective coating such as Permalac™ on my earring dangles or other parts of the exposed copper, I do not put a coating on the part of the wire that goes through the earlobe. For those who have metal allergies there are special products designed for coating wire. I recommend a product called Jewelry Shield™ from Euro Tool.

I wear copper earwires and have sold lots of copper earwires and have tons of students who wear copper earwires, all without a problem. If someone can wear 14 karat gold or Sterling silver ear wires, both of which are alloyed with copper, chances are pure copper won't bother them.

An interesting personal note: copper has occasionally turned my skin green, but never in my ears.

Click here to post comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Patinas and Protective Finishes Q & A.