Frequently asked questions about our torc necklaces and bracelets.
WILL THE BRONZE JEWELRY TURN MY SKIN GREEN?
Depending upon your metabolism, there is a chance that the bronze jewelry will turn your skin green. It does not happen to everyone and when it does, it is not harmful. Bronze is an alloy of copper - a mix of copper, tin and other metals. If your body is hungry for copper, one of the trace elements people need to stay healthy, it will absorb it through the skin by sending out enzymes that will convert the copper into cupric ozide (also called cleated copper), which is green. This can happen with any metal that contains copper, including the gold used in jewelry, which is usually mixed with copper to achieve the various carats. The green comes right off if you wash with soap. However, you can do 2 things to help keep your skin from turning green. The first is to keep the bronze clean, since it is the oxidation, not the metal itself, causing the green. Clean it before you put it on, and again after you take it off, and keep it in a bag or pouch when it’s not being worn. For cleaning care see: HOW DO I CLEAN MY JEWELRY. The second method is to coat the inside of the torc or bracelet with clear nail polish. You will have to do this periodically, as it will wear off after a while, but that should prevent the green stain completely.
HOW DO I CLEAN MY TORC NECKLACE OR BRACELET?
The best method for keeping your bracelet shiny and oxidation free, is to scrub it with dish soap, hot water and a green scrubby (yes, like the one that you use for dishes). You can use this method for every piece of jewelry that we make except anything with an amber stone ( which is a soft stone damaged by abrasive materials). The bronze can also be cleaned with steel wool, a jewelry polishing cloth, or even tooth paste and a rag (and hot water). WARNING!!! Be careful of liquid cleaners that will get down into the twist & look gunky/green. Also, never use a commercial jewelry cleaning dip! It will remove the antiquing in the recesses of your jewelry. Your jewelry will look ugly…trust us on this one.
IS YOUR JEWELRY SOLID STERLING SILVER OR PLATED?
Solid! All of our jewelry is either solid bronze or solid sterling silver ( 92.5%). We do not plate anything and we do not work in pewter or nickel silver.
ARE THE TORCS AND BRACELETS FLEXIBLE?
Yes! The torcs and bracelets are very flexible due to the special metal braid that we use. They are somewhat springy which allows you to take them on and off. However, they are not so flexible that they will come off when you don’t want them to.
CAN I GET THE JEWELRY WET?
Yes! It will not hurt it at all and in fact, the best way to clean your jewelry is with hot soapy water. If you wear it while bathing or swimming ( fresh or salt water), just rinse your jewelry off with hot water and dry it with a towel or a blow dryer.
WILL THE BRONZE JEWELRY HELP WITH MY ARTHRITIS?
We can’t swear to it, but many of our customers do! The wearing of copper bracelets has been known to relieve the symptoms of arthritis and in fact it was a common treatment before the discovery of cortisone shots! Have you noticed that sometimes while wearing copper or bronze jewelry that your skin turns green? The green color is a result of your body turning the copper found in the bronze into a form that can be utilized by your body ( called cleated copper). We need trace amounts of copper (and other elements) to remain healthy and these elements can be absorbed through the skin. It is believed that it is this copper mineral that helps to alleviate the symptoms of arthritis.