by Jesús Zabala - 5 min read

Is Brass Good for Jewelry?

Brass is a material forged out of zinc and copper, creating a strong alloy used to make various accessories. It’s known as one of the most affordable chain options on the market, offering a gold-like appearance and rustic look. But is brass good for jewelry?

Even though there are various polished jewelry pieces made out of brass, we still need to answer whether brass is prone to scratches, may cause an allergic reaction, and its other pros and cons. Basically, this article explores brass jewelry’s pros and cons, its metal properties, and its value to determine whether this material is worth trying.

Source: jewelrylab.co

Properties and Characteristics of Brass

The color of brass depends on the copper-zinc ratio. It may range from dark brown to silver. However, brass is known for its similar appearance to gold. To achieve the brass shade shade, 67% copper and 33% zinc are combined. This unique property makes brass a great alternative to gold.

Copper is the base constituent of brass. But, this material also develops a greenish layer on its surface when used for jewelry design. This layer is known as patina, and it acts as a protective shield from metal corrosion.

Durability and Strength of Brass Jewelry

If you want to discover whether is brass good for jewelry, we must examine its durability. This metal is very strong and can last many years with proper care and maintenance. It can be shaped into many jewelry designs and doesn’t rust or corrode, making brass extremely durable.

This metal’s strength is also revealed through its ability to stretch under pressure. In addition, brass doesn’t break easily.

Tarnish and Oxidation Resistance

To make brass even more durable, some jewelry makers add a nickel to the mixture, resulting in a stronger, shinier, and more corrosion-resistant material. However, the contain of nickel in the jewelry piece may cause an allergic reaction, so we mostly use pure brass as a better and safer option.

Moreover, brass is a metal that’s prone to oxidation, and tarnish may leave a green mark on the skin after hours of wear. The skin’s oil, air’s oxygen, and even the humidity levels coupled with a plated and coated brass may all contribute to leaving your skin green.

As we said, brass may tarnish over time and lose its sheen and golden glow. But there’s nothing a little polish and regular maintenance can’t solve. While some of our customers love the rugged look of a jewelry piece, others prefer the original, clean-looking, and polished appearance of brass. On a better note, regular maintenance may also prevent the brass material from turning the skin green.

Brass jewelry maintenance techniques

While some still doubt whether is brass good for jewelry due to being prone to tarnish, we are here to convince you otherwise. Tarnished brass can be easily cleaned to restore its original sheen and quality, making it look as good as new.

Brass jewelry can be effectively cleaned at home by using a soft brush or cloth to avoid scratches on its surface. Regular cleaning and polishing will keep the brass jewelry shiny for a long time.

Water and harsh chemical exposure must be avoided to maintain the quality of brass jewelry properly and prevent discoloration. We always suggest removing brass jewelry before showering to avoid tarnishing.

Proper storage is also crucial to avoid oxidation and tarnishing. Brass jewelry pieces should be kept in airtight containers or jewelry boxes without extensive exposure to heat and light or in the presence of excessive moisture.

Aesthetic Appeal and Versatility

Brass has been used in making beautiful accessories from the earliest times. Its warm golden-like tones provide sophistication and value for an affordable price.

Large jewelry statement pieces can be made of brass to achieve a stunning effect. But this metal can also be used to make minimalistic jewelry like dainty rings, necklaces, unisex cuffs, bracelets, and earrings.

Due to its high levels of resiliency, brass goes perfectly well with gemstones. Its color provides versatility and can be paired with colored gemstones to create rustic and antique-looking jewelry pieces.

Source: jewelrylab.co

Price and Value

Brass price and value depend on various factors, including its quality, composition, and market demand. Regarding jewelry, we can say that brass is a cost-effective and durable metal, ensuring the jewelry piece lasts for a lifetime without losing its shape.

When compared to silver and gold, it’s safe to say that brass is a more cost-effective choice for various applications, jewelry included, which we are going to talk about in a second.

Comparison to Other Jewelry Metals

Before creating our pieces, we consider which materials to bring our ideas to life. The metals we choose define the style of our jewelry pieces and determine their value. So, is brass good for jewelry like some other precious metals?

Brass is cheaper and less hypoallergenic than gold and sterling silver. Even gold-plated brass may change its color over time, unlike other fine materials used for jewelry production. Keep reading to discover how brass compares to other jewelry metals in other aspects:

Gold

Gold is a lustrous, shiny metal that has been used and covered in jewelry pieces since the earliest of times. Back in the day, many pharaohs were wearing gold jewelry to demonstrate their high rank and status in society.

Our view of gold jewelry hasn’t changed even thousands of years later. Not only does gold look beautiful, but it is also quite expensive compared to the other precious metals. Gold also offers color versatility due to its yellow, white, and rose shades used in various jewelry designs.

Gold jewelry is much more expensive than brass because of its higher value. Thus, purchasing a gold jewelry piece is always an investment. But we consider this type of investment worth it because gold never rusts, tarnishes, or corrodes.

Sterling Silver

Sterling silver is one of the most popular materials used in jewelry making today. It’s more expensive than brass but cheaper than gold. Sterling silver offers a powerful sheen and can be easily forged to create various jewelry pieces in different shapes and sizes.

Jewelry materials like sterling silver are higher in quality than brass alloys. This is because sterling silver is considered a precious metal, just like gold.

Source: jewelrylab.co

Conclusion

We hope you learned whether is brass good for jewelry by examining its durability, resistance, and value. Its appearance resembles copper and bronze, suiting bohemian and rustic styles for ethnic and classic jewelry pieces. This cost-effective jewelry-making material can also last a long time with proper maintenance.