Comments on: Is It Safe to Make Earwires with Copper from Electrical Wire?

By: blair

blair — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 03:20:18 +0000

In reply to Mary Ann. you can also spin your copper wire with a drill to both straighten and harden it at the same time.

By: Kenna McCall

Kenna McCall — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 22:55:42 +0000

I like the look of copper wires but would never use base metals for ear wires. So I use niobium or titanium (less reactive with the skin than silver) in a matching colour (dark brown works nicely). It isn’t easy to find them as ear wires and they can be expensive so I buy the wire and make the wires myself. If I don’t have any and must us Sterling wires I add s copper bead to the wire so it looks more cohesive.

By: Julie

Julie — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 18:10:38 +0000

I had done tons of research on copper most of which I’ve published on my site for my customers to read and be educated on. Feel free to visit it for copper and metal jewelry facts. http://www.oakcitygallery.com/copper-jewelry-facts.html

By: Colleen

Colleen — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:38:09 +0000

I use copper all the time for my earrings and other jewelry pieces. I use a heavy enough gauge to hold up for ear wires (I’ll work harden them with a rubber hammer). I’m sure you also know to clean your wire really well before and after making your piece. I usually start with steel wool then after, I use a polishing cloth. I usually coat anything coming into contact with skin, with a clear coat acrylic, no yellowing spray. Some people will ask not to do this as they want the piece to naturally turn to a nice warm patina. If you know any electricians, make friends with them!!! They are great suppliers with all different gauge copper.

By: Catherine Franz

Catherine Franz — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 12:57:32 +0000

You can also twist the 20g wire before bending into ear wires in order to stiffen. I do this all the time. Additionally, copper is the only metal that can’t carry any germs. They are using it more and more in operating rooms for this reason. There are more people allergic to sterling than to copper. If copper earrings are troublesome, then I suggest a chemical check for metals (a hair analysis does this best), especially if you work with metals like many jewelry-making individuals do. I was diagnosed with arthritis for years until I had a hair analysis done and discovered too much metal content. I changed this with natural methods. The arthritis disappeared in 5 days. No more pain at all. Listen to your body, if something is a challenge, like a metal allergy reaction something needs to change.

By: Mary Ann

Mary Ann — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 12:15:31 +0000

I use a lot of copper when I make jewelry. I use electrical wire almost exclusively since to be used for electrical purposes it has to be 99% pure copper.

I have quite a few people buy earrings with copper ear wires, but I also keep a stock of other wires such as niobium in a copper color in case people want me to switch them out.

Since copper wire is soft and I use 20g for ear wires I harden them with a nylon or rubber mallet to keep them from bending easily.

Mary Ann

By: Sarah S

Sarah S — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 01:00:12 +0000

it will depend on the gauge of the wire- it needs to be thick enough and hard enough to hold the shape.

personally, I don’t make earwires from copper at all, as I – like many people – react badly to copper. So, if you are using it, make sure to coat it with a clear finish and warn your customer that this coating wearw off and will need to reapplied periodically.

I have seen a lot of people use copper electrical wire for other aspects of jewelry making/wirework quite successfully.