Why Wear Copper?

Why not, we ask. The lush warm tones of copper make it a popular choice for jewellery and it’s easy to see the appeal of this earthy metal in jewellery making. After all it’s one of the most hard-wearing metals and keeps its shape, making it perfect for chokers, rings, bracelets and other jewellery items that are subject to heavy everyday wear.

For too long copper has been relegated to costume jewellery and the bargain bin of fast fashion because of its affordable price tag. Its long association with the free-spirited boho style of handmade wire-wrapped bracelets and hammered bangles also pigeon-holed this alluring metal to the gypsy and hippy trends that began in the 1970s.

No more - Here at The Mexican Collection we have been championing the beauty of copper for many years and now, finally, other jewellery brands are starting to focus on the appeal of this tactile, inviting and more importantly sustainable metal.

Copper is Eco-Friendly

Did you know that the environmental footprint to produce copper is much smaller than mining for gold and platinum? Not only that, most copper is easily recyclable without loss of quality. This attractive metal is finally coming of age in an era of eco-friendly jewellery design and upcycled fashion.

Our silversmiths often use re-cycled copper and silver and we know that our customers are increasingly drawn to materials that align with these environmental values because you tell us so. There is no doubt that copper is an attractive choice for sustainable jewellery.

There are also multiple other reasons to consider adding copper jewellery to your collection.

Let’s be honest, it’s usually the piece you find at the bottom of your jewellery box, often overlooked in favour of something more shiny. It’s time to cast off the boho gypsy-child bangles of yester-year in favour of a new pared-down multi metal look and to see the warm honeyed hues of copper in a new light – namely paired with ice cool sterling silver or bright gold-coloured brass, two metals that complement and contrast with the deep richness of pure copper.

The Appeal of Mixed Metals

As well as it’s established eco-credentials, one of the biggest trends in jewellery right now is the use of mixed metals in jewellery design.

The blend of different types of metals in a single piece of jewellery creates dynamic, textured looks that are pared down for modern, minimalist appeal which emphasize clean lines, simple shapes, and understated elegance.

Think thin copper rings, sleek choker necklaces and minimalist earrings that offer a modern, sleek alternative to more opulent or ornate styles but still appeal to those who appreciate eclectic and unique pieces of jewellery.

Copper’s natural warmth adds a soft touch to these minimalistic designs, making them both subtle and stylish. The best mixed metal designs pair warm copper with a cooler metal such as sterling silver where the juxtaposition of the two tones enhances the contrast for an modern twist on the mixed metal trend.

Not only does the marriage of warm and cool metals strike a fresh, contemporary note in any good jewellery collection, but mixed metal designs are also very versatile and can be worn with most clothes and colours, whether casual or formal in cool or warm tones. Mixed metal jewellery can allow you to play with colour in your accessories that a single-metal piece may not.

For example, a simple copper and silver earring can be teamed easily with black, white, grey or most other shade in your wardrobe. Alternatively go bold with a statement piece that looks equally great dressed up or down.

It’s undeniable that mixed metal jewellery is the perfect desk to dinner accessory when you don’t have time to change or make thought-out accessory combinations. It also transcends the seasons and looks equally as good in the bright light of summer or the darker evenings of winter.

An affordable Alternative

As well as its obvious aesthetic appeal, mixing metals like copper and brass with sterling silver offers an affordable alternative to gold and platinum and can look equally as elegant and luxurious but without the hefty price tag.

Copper is the perfect mixed metal for bold, over-sized jewellery as you can achieve the impact of an impressive piece of hand-made jewellery at a more reasonable price.

Your jewellery collection can feature larger and more intricate limited edition as well as handmade designs at a fraction of the cost of other precious metals.

Creative Copper Designs

Copper and other mixed metal designs are often more intricate and harder to produce, which is why they are usually hand-made in limited production runs by experienced artisans.

Our own collection includes handmade designs by the famed silversmith Maria Belen Nilson whose jewellery is often decorated with symbols from the rich tapestry of nature, mysticism and Mexican folklore.

These unique mixed metal pieces celebrate the work of the artisans who design and make them and appeal to anyone who values craftsmanship and jewellery design that is more authentic.

Copper, for instance, is a more malleable metal making it easier for artists to work with. As a result it allows for more creative and artistic jewellery designs with details that are not as easily rendered in silver, gold or platinum.

The play of light and shadow is greater between metals of different tones. The juxtaposition of bright sterling silver next to the earthy tones of copper and the manipulation of shadows between the two offers unique opportunities to render multi-dimensional shapes in jewellery that can’t easily be achieved with other metal combinations.

Patina and Ageing

Copper is celebrated as a transformative metal. Freshly cleaned copper has an almost pink appearance and this gradually darkens as the metal oxidises through contact with grease, sweat and the air. Over time copper develops a natural earth brown patina, often with green or turquoise hues. Some people love this process as it adds a vintage, almost rustic feel to their jewellery and allows their jewellery collection to evolve into different shades over time.

Some designers work with this patina to create a mixed metal story in a single piece of jewellery.

For those who prefer the fresh shine of clean copper, the patina can be removed at any time and the oxidisation process begins all over again.

 

The Health Benefits of Wearing Copper

Any discussion of the appeal of copper would not be complete without examining the health benefits of this earthly metal.

Copper is far more than just the metal found in pennies or over-sized bangles. As a trace mineral (or "essential mineral" meaning we need this mineral for our survival) it’s a naturally occurring mineral that is also present in our bodies. Although the amount of copper in your body is minimal, it is crucial for various important functions like building bones, red blood cells and connective tissues not to mention supporting the immune system and processing cholesterol. The recommended daily dose of copper is 900mcg. Besides receiving your recommended daily copper intake and its healing benefits through diet and supplements, it is also believed that you can gain these advantages by wearing copper jewellery.

But how does this work? The theory is that, as you wear copper jewellery—such as a bracelet, earrings, pendant or other items—your skin absorbs small particles of copper from your jewellery and therefore boosts your overall copper intake. It is also believed that this contact of copper with the skin also helps with the regenerating of lost joint cartilage and offers relief from stiff, sore joints and arthritis.

It is also believed that copper also plays a beneficial role in helping the body combat infections and strengthen the immune system. Copper possesses antimicrobial properties that help fight off viruses and bacteria. Interestingly, copper jewellery can also contain trace minerals like iron and zinc. When worn against the skin, these minerals interact with the wearer’s sweat, allowing for direct absorption into the bloodstream. This method of absorption is believed to be more effective than taking supplements as it bypasses the liver altogether.

Wearing copper jewelry is also believed to enhance circulation, leading to improved oxygenation of cells and tissues, thus supporting overall health and wellness. Finally, copper acts as an antioxidant, helping to shield the body from oxidative stress and free radical damage that can contribute to cellular harm and the onset of diseases.

Where have you been all my life?

While it may feel like copper and mixed metal jewellery is everywhere right now it hasn’t suddenly emerged onto the jewellery stage, this mixed metal renaissance has been millennia in the making.

It's no small measure of the metal that copper has been revered through the ages. Ancient people viewed metals and metallurgy as sacred processes, since it involved transforming raw earth materials into refined metal objects. Indeed, copper was one of the first metals to be smelted and worked by humans.

In many cultures, metalsmiths or metallurgists who worked with copper were considered to have divine or magical powers because of their ability to control fire and metal.

The earliest known piece of copper jewellery is a copper pendant found at the archaeological site of Shanidar Cave (in what is now known as the Middle East). Dated at approximately 10,700 years old, the pendant was wrought from native copper, which is copper that occurs naturally in a relatively pure form, allowing early humans to shape it without needing smelting techniques. This exciting jewwellery find represented one of the earliest instances of humans working with copper.

The ancient Egyptians in particular held copper in very high regard and the Pharaohs and members of the royal court wore copper jewellery as a symbol of their wealth, status and power.

We know that the ancient Romans also celebrated the value of copper as various Roman burial sites have yielded ancient Roman bracelets, necklaces, earrings, anklets, neck torques and diadems. The Romans decorated their jewellery with precious stones like turquoise and jade. Only the finest metals are decorated with precious stones and it shows the reverence the Romans had for metals like copper and bronze that they decorated them with the finest gemstones.

As with other cultures the Romans often buried precious jewellery with the dead which is why we now have this rich record of how they perceived the world around them and the items they considered valuable.

Why not Copper?

Copper’s use in modern jewelry trends is rooted in its historical significance, versatility, and symbolic meaning.

Whether in the form of bold statement pieces, minimalist designs, or ethnic-inspired jewellery, copper continues to be a favoured material due to its warmth, affordability, and connection to both ancient traditions and modern innovations.

With all of these multiple benefits we should be asking why more of us are not choosing to wear this beguiling and inviting metal in our jewellery.