Brass is a metal with a rich history. For many centuries it has been valued for its beautiful golden color and pleasant shine. Household items, decor, musical instruments and jewelry were made from brass.
Brass is one of the most popular alloys for creating jewelry and costume jewelry. It is not only attractive in appearance, but also durable, affordable and durable. Brass contains varying proportions of copper and zinc, sometimes with the addition of nickel and lead.
Popularity history
Brass has been known to man since about 500 BC. Mentions of it are found in the cultures of different peoples and countries: brass is found both in the works of Shakespeare and in the Bible. This alloy was actively used both in ancient times and in the Middle Ages: scabbards decorated with complex and rich patterns were made from it. In Ancient Rome, brass coins—dupondia and sestertii—were in use for some time.
In Eastern Burma, special jewelry was made from brass - neck rings. They were put on the girl as she grew older, thereby gradually stretching her neck. By the time she got married, the number of rings reached a couple of dozen, and the total weight was 4-5 kg.
In Ancient Rus', brass products were exchanged for sable furs: for this, a container made of a golden alloy was filled to the top with skins. Due to its good heat capacity, brass was used to make samovars. Household utensils were heated evenly and retained heat for a long time, while being subject to almost no wear.
What alloys can cause allergies?
In fact, allergies are quite an individual phenomenon, so it manifests itself in different people under different circumstances, but still, there is a lower chance of developing a rash if you do not wear jewelry with a high nickel . Give preference to steel, titanium alloys or jewelry with galvanic gold and silver plating.
Properties of brass
Brass is in demand in jewelry for the following properties:
- strength;
- durability;
- plastic.
Products made from brass are not brittle, although they can stretch under pressure. If you follow the rules of care, they will last for many years: the metal is not subject to corrosion, although due to the presence of copper in the composition, they may become patina over time.
Brass tarnishes over time and loses its golden luster. This effect has its own appeal, but some people consider it a disadvantage. To avoid tarnishing, a clear coating is applied to the surface of the jewelry.
Due to the copper content in the alloy, brass can tint the skin greenish. The metal oxidizes and reacts with human sweat to form copper chelates, which can be absorbed into the skin and give it a green tint. This is not harmful to health - moreover, stains can be easily removed with soap. To prevent staining of the leather, you can coat brass items with clear nail polish.
Dangers
Copper has a significant effect on the liver. Those who suffer from liver diseases should be especially sensitive to this issue - in these cases, copper is poorly processed by the body, accumulating on its own, without additional influences.
Copper oxides are mainly dangerous. They form when copper oxidizes. Leave the copper mod or dripper to stand for a couple of days - the brownish metal is that same oxide (or oxide). Its particles very easily come off the surface of the metal, including getting into the lungs. Inhaling copper can cause poisoning and, as a result, “copper fever.” Symptoms include chills, high fever, heavy sweating and leg cramps.
How to check authenticity
Sometimes, under the guise of brass jewelry, they sell products made of zinc and steel, coated with a thin layer of brass. Over time, the coating wears out and unsightly stains appear on the surface.
A magnet can be used to verify authenticity. Brass is not ferromagnetic and therefore does not react to a magnetic field. Many of the jewelry alloys, on the contrary, are ferromagnetic.
Another way to check is to carefully examine the product for scratches. If they are, the color inside should be yellow, not white. If there are no scratches, you can carefully run a sharp needle along the back of the jewelry.
Why copper and brass darken and how to care for jewelry
Today I want to talk a little about whether copper and brass darken, why they leave dark marks on the skin from close, prolonged contact, and how to care for copper and brass jewelry.
The photo shows example rings that are no longer available. But a batch of the same ones will be on sale in the near future :)
I have written more than once that, of course, brass and copper darken and oxidize
because they are not precious metals. I am often asked about this and I have never hidden the fact that jewelry can oxidize and darken over time. And you need to know this and be prepared for this when you purchase jewelry made from such non-traditional metals. After all, even silver oxidizes over time.
But! I want to point out that the reaction of metal to your body is very, very individual.
. I will speak in completely non-scientific simple words. It all depends mainly on the acidity level of your body.
If the acidity is high, then copper and brass will definitely darken on you and leave dark marks, for example from rings and bracelets.
If the acidity level is normal or reduced, then the jewelry you wear will not oxidize at all, much less leave marks, and will shine like new for a long, long time. I knew this before, but recently I proved it to myself experimentally.
I'm telling you :) I have always had a terrible sweet tooth and copper and brass have always oxidized on me. I have a copper swoosh ring (made by me, of course), which I always wear, never taking it off. I sleep, wash, live in it. And I used to wake up every morning with a black mark under this ring.
And recently, almost a miracle happened - I almost lost interest in sweets))) Well, it’s not that I don’t eat sweets at all, but much less often and not even every day)). So my ring stopped oxidizing and leaving marks. I wake up in the morning and the ring is shining, my finger is clean and there is no dark streak on it.
By the way, if anyone hasn’t understood yet, sugar acidifies the body, raises the level of acidity, and therefore copper and brass react to such changes. But as soon as I eat a chocolate bar or a cake, the next morning the ring darkens again, although not as much as before.
It turns out to be a kind of litmus test) I, of course, do not encourage everyone to stop eating sweets at once so that the jewelry does not darken, but I think that it is useful to share such experience.
And now a few words about how to deal with this, how to care for jewelry made of copper and brass:
- For better preservation of jewelry, it is best to store it in a zip bag or closed box. They say that a piece of chalk placed in a jewelry box will protect it from oxidation; I haven’t tried it myself);
- After each wear, it would be good to wipe the jewelry with a rough woolen cloth. Or soft flannel;
- I recommend periodically thoroughly rubbing your jewelry with a silver cleaning cloth. It also works on copper and brass, but you will have to try a little longer to make the jewelry shine again;
- If the decoration has darkened, you can soak a piece of cloth in a solution of vinegar and table salt and wipe it thoroughly. Then rinse under running water;
- If the jewelry is not patinated and has fairly wide flat surfaces, then you can clean it with a toothbrush and a drop of toothpaste. But this must be done very carefully, especially if the decoration contains stones and small elements, so as not to damage them.
As I already wrote, I safely lost the camera with films from the trip somewhere in the vastness of Hungary, so I don’t have a single film frame from Budapest. But there are a few photographs from Croatia and the festival. Today I will show you Croatia. These photographs depict the small, cozy, beautiful town of Porec. In general, I don’t really like a holiday at sea of this purely resort-tourist type. For me, the sea is a tent and a wild beach. But the town itself is very nice and beautiful, with old streets, lanterns, cozy restaurants and lots of flowery balconies.
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Back at the beginning of summer, I had an image that was firmly lodged in my head and demandingly asked for a way out. Well, I already wrote that I missed the summer in terms of photography)) And when it was already the end of September, I woke up and decided that under no circumstances should I miss this image and leave it until next summer, otherwise it will fade and the moment will be missed.
In general, it was the end of September (or even the beginning of October), it was already quite cold and we went into the forest to film. I don’t know how to clearly describe the picture and thought of my photo shoot; it’s always rather blurry images and moods. And here I saw a child of the forest growing from the ground, from soft, wet green moss. I shot on film, medium format and 35mm.
There weren't many successful photos because it was cold and we were in a hurry to keep the model from freezing, but of course she was still frozen. In general, I made a valuable conclusion for myself - everything should have its time and summer shots should be taken in the summer, and not in the cold autumn.
But something did work out and that makes me happy, because if the entire shoot yielded at least 2-3 decent shots, then we didn’t waste our time) Medium format first..
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In the summer I dreamed that my autumn would be quiet , peaceful, filled with warm comfort and beauty. So that it would be a real, classic autumn with tea by the fireplace and a harvest of ripe vegetables. In the end, this is exactly the kind of autumn I had. Thoughts materialize;) It's like a little life. Autumn is a gift from nature, a fleeting, unsteady quintessence of beauty. How I want to grab her by the tail and hold her silently in order to enjoy these last warm rays and crazy beautiful colors longer. But all the leaves have already fallen off and the sun has not been warm for a long time, and the air already smells of winter. Now is such a difficult period when everything is gray - the earth, houses, sky, even the air. And there are still several months ahead with almost no color. And now I’m looking at the September and October photographs and I can’t believe that this happened, and it happened almost just now... Film. Pentax MZ-7, kodak gold
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I fell into autumn hibernation a little here and therefore began to write much less often, don’t be angry :) I don’t really want to do anything except lie under a soft warm blanket, eat candy and read interesting books. Actually, this is what I have been shamelessly doing all last week)) And this state is logical for me, because, firstly, almost winter cold has set in and even snow was falling, and secondly, after active creative periods, I always have a period of fatigue and some devastation . So I'm still gaining strength. This, of course, does not mean that I am completely idle, but the work is going very slowly)) In general, I have a lot of interesting things that I am going to show you in the near future - these are new photographs and new jewelry. Also, because of the onset of cold weather, we will soon be moving back to the city, to an apartment. Ehhh, goodbye, wonderful sunrises, sunsets, fogs, fields and birds...
Is anyone here still suffering from a mild, pleasant autumn spleen?)
All summer I planned to do a lot of photo shoots with people. But the summer somehow passed unnoticed, and I still didn’t have time to shoot anything, although my head is still bursting with ideas and desires)) So, in September I came to my senses and decided to urgently take the bull by the horns, otherwise the cemetery of ideas will grow to incredible proportions ) It turned out that there are many beautiful, artistic and interesting models nearby, you just have to extend your hand! I have already told you that I fell in love with film completely and irrevocably, and the first photographs of people on film only strengthened my love and now I don’t even want to pick up a digital camera. Today I will show you a photo shoot with the wonderful, airy and incredibly graceful Anya. This is such a light, sleepy, calm photoset. We wanted to convey the image of a beautiful and falling asleep autumn, I think we did a good job). In general, I'm always very worried when I shoot on film - there's always the possibility that I'll mess up and the photos won't turn out. But here almost all the photos turned out, it was even difficult to choose.
I shot with two cameras: a Pentax 35 mm and a medium format Yashika. First, as you yourself understand, there are 35 mm photos.
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While my apple pie is baking, I’ll write a couple of lines about the current one in brief)
- Lately I've watched a bunch of unexpectedly good films and continue to do so with pleasure) Maybe I'll write a post about it someday.
- Over the past week, 2 fabulous series of photographs were created with absolutely beautiful girls. Of course, on film, now I’m completely obsessed with it)) All I have to do is develop 2 slide films and I’ll show off)
- Now, more than ever, I wildly want to explore new spaces in creativity. Desire burns and stabs. But there is one problem: I have a thing for real real books, no matter what they are - fiction or textbooks. I definitely need to hold a book in my hands, feel its cover and flip through the pages, this is the only way I can establish direct contact with the contents and truly get into it. So, the very necessary educational literature is not available in Russian online stores. I don't despair, I continue to wait. There are 2 backup options: buy foreign literature and terrorize your man so that he translates all this for me)) or print out what you download and study from dull printouts))
- And the most important news!
in the coming days I will launch a terribly interesting giveaway, hurray! There will be many and different prizes. Do not miss;)
And some autumn film photos
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Your Sabi: *And yet I absolutely love photographing vegetation and everything that turns green, blooms, grows, reaches for the light, breathes inaudibly and invisibly.
And I’ll probably never get tired of crawling with a camera around trees, bushes and blades of grass)) Because there is nothing more real than what was created by nature and grew in the shade of forests or under the bright sun of meadows.
And recently my golden-armed man repaired a film Pentax for me, which I successfully unpacked in Istanbul) and now I’m inseparable from him again, hurray! And now all my walks through the forests and fields I am accompanied by a Pentax and a couple of spare films) I’m learning to shoot on film without being timid and without relying on digital photography. And it seems that it’s already working out a little. I'm crazy about film photography - it's so simple and so sincere.
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Types of brass jewelry
Brass is widely used by jewelry designers. Its beautiful warm tones range from rich yellow to gold. Large, massive jewelry and accessories are often created from this alloy, but laconic models can also be found.
Brass is suitable for creating any jewelry:
- rings;
- bracelets;
- earring;
- necklaces.
Brass jewelry is suitable for both women and men. They look beautiful with or without gemstone inserts, creating an informal and relaxed look. Brass is also used in combination with other metals - for example, silver: the contrast is spectacular and bright.
What does a copper bracelet look like?
Any copper products are distinguished not only by their visual appeal and originality, but also by their practicality and reliability. Bracelets made of this metal are worn not only for decoration, but also as a medicinal item. Some users claim that this decoration has healing properties, especially in relation to the cardiovascular system.
The advantages include the low cost of a copper bracelet for blood pressure and other diseases. Having spent very little, the user acquires a beautiful accessory with excellent useful properties.
Rules of care
As brass oxidizes, it begins to darken. To restore shine to jewelry, you can use lemon juice or vinegar essence. Heavy dirt on the surface of jewelry can be treated with a soft brush or cloth. In addition, jewelry stores sometimes sell ready-made products for cleaning brass.
Jewelry made from gold alloy must be cleaned regularly, otherwise it will quickly fade. For everyday care, simply wash them in soapy water and wipe with a polishing cloth.
Video
The role of copper in the body
Over time, scientists have discovered that copper is one of the most important trace elements in the human body. Small amounts of it can be found in the liver, nervous tissue, brain and germ cells of humans. It was this discovery that led to the mass production of copper bracelets for hands. But do they really have healing properties? To use them for medicinal purposes, you should study in detail the benefits and harms of copper bracelets for the body.
The properties of copper that are beneficial to humans are as follows:
- its compounds have an active effect on the enrichment of organs and blood in the body with oxygen;
- it takes part in the pigmentation of human eyes, hair and skin;
- a copper bracelet adjacent to the skin activates leukocytes in the body;
- this metal strengthens bone tissue;
- has scientifically proven effectiveness in reducing the number of free radicals;
- salts of this metal have antimicrobial and antifungal activity.
The magical properties of a copper bracelet
From a magical perspective, copper symbolizes justice, peace and reconciliation. It can be called a natural, unique corrector that helps regulate and control many body functions. Esotericists believe that this metal is capable of clarifying feelings and calling for sanity.
It is also believed that copper can relieve overexertion and stress, which makes it extremely useful for modern people. From the point of view of psychics, it fills the home with positive energy.
Copper is ruled by Venus. Thanks to this, she can help in love and protect from evil. Protective amulets and talismans have been produced from this metal for thousands of years, endowing them with supernatural properties.
Copper also harmonizes well with the Earth, thanks to which it improves human interaction with nature. Bracelets made from it can be excellent calming talismans.
Advice! Copper bracelets are most suitable for: Gemini, Taurus, Cancer, Libra, Virgo, Scorpio, Aquarius, Capricorn.
How to make a copper bracelet yourself
You can not only buy a beautiful bracelet with useful properties, but also make it yourself. To spend your time usefully and create your own accessory, you will need the following:
- Copper wire. It must have certain parameters: length - 15 cm, width - 1 cm, thickness - 3 mm. The exact dimensions depend on the size of the wrist of the future user.
- If you want to add decorative elements to the bracelet, you will need beads, rhinestones or stones of your choice.
- Sandpaper intended for sanding.
The wire should be sanded at both ends and the ends should be rounded. After this, the product is braided at your own discretion. If desired, use beads and other decorative elements. You should twist the wire at the ends, adjusting it to the size of your specific wrist. Such a lightweight product is not only beautiful, but also useful.
How to Wear a Copper Bracelet
It is believed that bracelets of certain sizes and weights are beneficial and have healing properties. The latter should be about 50 grams. The optimal width of the accessory is no more than 1.5 cm.
A proper copper bracelet that is good for health should not be closed. It should look like an open circle, with the ends disconnected from each other. It is this form of the product that has the ability to combat energy imbalances in the human body.
The beneficial properties of the bracelet can be used with equal success by men and women. There are also no age restrictions. The accessory can be decorated with any beads, stones, and so on. All this will not cause harm and will not interfere with the beneficial effects. In addition, it does not matter whether the product was purchased in a store or made independently.
Advice! If you wish, you can wear the bracelet not on your wrist, but on your ankle. Its healing properties do not decrease.
On which hand is it better to wear a copper bracelet?
It is usually recommended to wear a copper bracelet on each hand in turn. Its beneficial properties will be most pronounced if you change the location of the accessory no more than once a month. Another important factor is the size of the product, which should be selected very carefully, having first measured your wrist.
Kitchenware
Of course, brass home accessories today are not as popular as they used to be, but they are still loved and actively used. Modern utensils are of high quality and have other advantages:
- affordable price;
- rich engraving;
- environmental friendliness;
- corrosion resistance;
- easy care;
- presentable appearance.
Traditionally, brass utensils are used in the East and Asia - in India, Pakistan, Iran, China. Accessories for preparing and serving coffee or tea are especially popular: teapots, teapots, sets, Turkish teapots. An oriental brass tray is an indispensable serving element in some countries.
Benefits of a copper bracelet
Unfortunately, even a healthy diet does not contain enough copper to maintain health. And if you eat mainly fast food and semi-finished products, this deficiency will become very serious. The health benefit of a copper bracelet lies in the fact that when worn, the microelement penetrates the body by contacting the skin. In this way, it is possible to compensate for the lack of substance.
Wearing a copper bracelet can bring significant benefits if a person has the following health problems:
- radiculitis;
- arthritis of different localization;
- cardiovascular diseases;
- hypertension;
- prostatitis;
- different weather conditions;
- insomnia;
- real migraine and conditions similar to it;
- for secondary infertility (as an element of complex treatment).
Copper bracelets are most often used to treat hypertension, since this is one of the most common diseases of our time. High blood pressure has become very common among young people, and is no longer an age-related ailment. It is believed that frequent stress, unhealthy diet, and some bad habits are to blame for this situation. All this causes serious harm to the body. Therefore, it is possible that wearing a copper bracelet will be useful, especially for the prevention of hypertension.
