Copper jewelry has a soul of its own—warm, grounded, and timeless. At Regalia by Reyney, each wire-wrapped piece is handcrafted with care and intention. To ensure your jewelry stays radiant and long-lasting, it deserves mindful care and love. This guide shares simple, effective ways to preserve the beauty and energy of your favorite copper treasures.
🌿 1. Keep It Dry and Moisture-Free
Moisture is copper's natural enemy—it accelerates oxidation and dulls the shine. To protect your wire-wrapped jewelry:
Always remove before bathing, swimming, or exercising.
Avoid direct contact with perfume, lotion, or hair products.
Gently wipe down with a soft cloth after wearing.
🧼 2. How to Clean Copper Jewelry at Home
Over time, copper may darken or tarnish. While some love this earthy patina, you can easily bring back the original glow.
DIY Cleaning Tip:
Mix lemon juice with a tiny pinch of salt.
Use a soft cloth to gently rub the surface of the copper.
Rinse with water and pat dry thoroughly.
Note: Avoid soaking wire-wrapped jewelry to protect crystals and the integrity of the wrapping.
🧺 3. Store It the Right Way
Proper storage keeps your jewelry from tarnishing and tangling.
Store each piece in an airtight pouch or zip-lock bag.
Use anti-tarnish strips or a piece of chalk in the storage box.
Keep pieces separate to avoid scratching or wire bending.
👐 4. Handle With Care
Wire-wrapped jewelry is delicate. The beauty lies in its craftsmanship, and it should be treated gently.
Don’t tug, bend, or twist the wirework.
Remove before sleep, chores, or workouts.
When wearing or removing, hold the piece by its base or chain—not the wrapped wire.
🍂 5. Love the Patina—Or Polish It Back
Copper naturally forms a dark, rich patina over time, which many wearers find beautiful. But if you love the bright, shiny copper look, regular gentle polishing and proper storage will keep it gleaming.
Copper does tarnish quickly in high-humidity, coastal climates.
The blackening you see is due to copper reacting with moisture, oxygen, and air pollutants (especially sulfur compounds), forming copper oxide or copper sulfide.
To keep your copper wire jewelry looking beautiful for a long time, especially in a humid place, here are some tips:
🌟 Prevent Tarnish Before It Starts
- Apply a Sealant or Coating
After you finish your wire work: - Use a clear jewelry lacquer like ProtectaClear, Everbrite, or Renaissance Wax to coat the wire.
- Nail polish or clear enamel sprays (like Krylon Crystal Clear) can work for small home projects, but may chip over time.
- Resin coating is also an option but can be trickier to apply evenly.
- Use Tarnish-Resistant Copper Wire
- Bare copper tarnishes the fastest.
- Enameled copper wire (like the ones used for craft or electrical purposes) has a colored coating and is more resistant.
- Anti-tarnish coated copper (like Artistic Wire or ParaWire) comes pre-coated and lasts longer.
- Avoid Skin Contact Where Possible
- Moisture and oils from skin accelerate tarnishing.
- Use designs that reduce copper touching skin or use hypoallergenic coatings on the skin-facing side.
🧴 Storage Tips
- Keep in Airtight Bags (ziplocks or anti-tarnish jewelry pouches).
- Add silica gel packets or anti-tarnish strips (like 3M strips).
- Store in a cool, dry place—not in the bathroom or kitchen.
🧼 Cleaning If It Does Tarnish
If tarnish sets in:
- Lemon juice + salt paste (rinse thoroughly and dry completely).
- Baking soda and vinegar soak (use gently).
- Polish with a jewelry cloth like Sunshine Polishing Cloth.
✨ Final Thought
Every piece from Regalia by Reyney is more than just jewelry—it’s energy, art, and emotion woven together. With a little care and love, your copper jewelry will continue to shine and support your unique journey.
