Mother Earth's Treasures (episode 9) - Copper

For anyone who is on the fence about Copper, let me tell you about it's many wonderful attributes. Copper is probably the first metal used by humans. As we all know copper is a super conductor and we find it in ever electronic on the planet and in outer space. But did you know it has antibacterial properties as well? Yup, in fact it was used a very long time ago in medical procedures to keep down infection. surgical knives were made from copper and bandages embed with copper powder. It lost popularity simply because copper is soft and the instruments would lose there edge to quickly, plus penicillin was invented for infections. 

Copper is also very malleable and light, which makes it wonderful for making larger pieces of jewelry. You can easily shape it and reheat it when needed to make it soft again. This makes it great for recycling scrap or old copper into new pieces, in fact many of my work copper work is made from reclaimed wire, piping and sheets that were replaced or left over from my local construction companies. Copper is also what gives Rose gold it's pink color and is the key element in many stones that give them blue and green coloring as well as the metallic shine in many cases. It is a really wonderful metal. 

One of the largest Native copper concentrations can be found in the Keewena Peninsula of Michigan in the United States. It is found  also in many other places around the globe. It is considered to be a native element which means it is naturally occurring uncombined with other elements.

Copper's healing properties as we all ready know from above, is it anti bacterial properties and that it conducts energy. This means it helps with blood flow and physical issues related to it as well as conducting metaphysical energy for spiritual healing. It is reported to help with arthritis and other blood flow issues. It helps stimulate initiative, optimism, diplomacy and independence. Provides harmony between the physical and astral bodies and helps align them. Reported to bring the wearer luck. Opens the base and sacral chakras advancing intuition, sexuality, desire and vitality.

The care of copper jewelry  is actually quite easy although many worry about the patina that can happen and for some the patina happens on their skin. The reason for this is because the copper reacts to acid. So if it makes you green it means you have a high acidity in your skin. You can coat the copper if you wish to protect yourself and the copper, I suggest a jewelers wax. Also any tarnish can be left as some prefer the deep brown that happens naturally over time or you can simple polish it back to it's warm glow with a polishing cloth or polish made for copper. 

I hope you have enjoyed learning more about this wonderful metal. Have a peaceful day.

​Dawn Rosell