Most "Copper" Jewelry Sold Online Isn't Copper. Here's the 10-Second Test.

How to tell solid copper from plated metal, and why many women now buy three pieces at a time.

If you have ever bought a copper bracelet online, there is a fair chance it wasn't copper at all. A lot of the jewelry sold as "copper" is steel or brass with a thin copper-colored coating on top. It looks right in the photos. After a few weeks of wear the coating rubs off and the grey metal underneath starts to show.

The good news is that you don't need a lab to check. You need a fridge magnet.

The magnet test

Copper is not magnetic. Steel is. So if you hold a magnet against a piece of jewelry and it pulls or sticks, even slightly, there is iron in it.

1. Take any magnet from your fridge.
2. Hold it against the inside of the bracelet or ring.
3. If it sticks, the piece is plated steel. If nothing happens, keep reading.

Passing the magnet test is a good first sign. The second sign is how the piece ages. Solid copper slowly darkens to a warm brown patina, the same color all the way through. Plated pieces don't darken evenly. They chip and wear through at the edges.

Why people have worn copper for thousands of years

Copper is one of the oldest metals people have ever worn. Egyptians, Greeks and Romans wore it, and many families still pass copper bracelets down from mother to daughter. For a lot of wearers it's a daily ritual: they put it on every morning and wouldn't feel like themselves without it.

Some people say copper helps them feel grounded and calm, and that the bracelet becomes a small reminder to slow down. Others simply love that it's a natural metal that warms to the skin and darkens over time into a patina that's theirs alone.

What you get with solid copper

• A natural metal, nothing fake. 99.9% copper all the way through, no coating that peels.
• It gets better with age. The warm patina makes every piece look a little different, a little more yours.
• Made for every day. Waterproof, so you can shower and wash dishes without taking it off.
• Easy to bring back to shine. A bit of lemon juice and salt and it looks new again, whenever you want.
• A gift that means something. Copper is the traditional gift for a 7th wedding anniversary, and a thoughtful one for any woman you love.

Our copper is 99.9% solid, so whatever you wear it for, you know it's the real thing.

What to look for before you buy

• 99.9% solid copper, not "copper tone", "copper finish" or "copper plated".
• No coating. A clear lacquer is fine, but the metal itself should be copper.
• A real return policy, so you can test the piece at home.

Every piece at Patricia's Jewelry is listed as 99.9% solid copper, with no plating. If a piece you get from us fails the magnet test, send a photo to support@patriciasjewelry.com and we'll refund you in full.

Why three pieces?

Most people who wear copper every day don't stop at one piece. A bracelet on the wrist, a ring, maybe an anklet. And with the holidays coming, copper is an easy gift for a mother, a sister or a friend.

That's why the store has put together a simple bundle: pick any three pieces from the collection for one price.

How the bundle works

1. Tap "Choose 3 & Save".
2. Add the three pieces you want to your bundle.
3. Add the bundle to your cart. The price shows as $99.95.
4. Check out as normal. Shipping is free.

If anything doesn't feel right when your pieces arrive, you have 30 days to send them back.

Copper jewelry is not a medical product and is not intended to treat any condition.