Antiquing Copper: Oxidize Metal to Create Ancient Intrigue in Your Art Jewelry

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Antiquing copper adds another dimension to your art jewelry and altered art projects!

Author: Heather Mullins-Teasley

Discover to create an aged appearance to your new jewelry elements by antiquing copper.

Creating a piece of art jewelry that appears to have a history or mystique about it sounds intimidating. However, by using liver of sulphur and following a few simple steps, you can create artistic jewelry elements that appear to have spanned generations.

Choosing Metals:
Antiquing metal with liver of sulfur is a multi-step process that can add depth to your projects. The most important thing to understand is that only silver or pure copper can be oxidized with liver of sulphur. In creating this rosary style necklace, I chose to use copper domes to accent the crystals and pearls that are used throughout the piece.



Step 1:
The first step in the antiquing process is to wash your metal piece with soap and water. Dry the metal thoroughly. Then, lightly sand it using a very fine sandpaper – I use 400 grain. Sanding the metal is important because it not only cleans the metal further, but also gives the metal a rough surface.



Step 2:
Next, mix your liver of sulphur with cold water according to the manufacturer’s directions. Since it comes in two forms, powder and liquid, the measurements will vary. I use liquid liver of sulphur by Maid-o’-Metal. Once it is mixed and while the water is cold, drop your metal embellishment into the mixture. Notice that the copper turns black almost instantly.



Step 3:
After two minutes, take the copper embellishment out of the liver of sulphur / water mixture. The copper should have turned completely black and you will notice a layer of blackened ‘skin’ over the piece. Thoroughly wash the embellishment in cold water and use a mild soap in order to stop the chemical reaction caused by the liver of sulphur.

Step 4:
Using sandpaper, lightly dust over the surface of the copper. You may also want to experiment with an old toothbrush as well. This will remake the blackened “skin” and provide the necessary highs and lows in the copper embellishment that gives it an aged appearance. Continue until you have achieved the desired antique effect.



Antiquing copper or silver can come in handy whether you are creating jewelry or altered art projects. By following these simple steps on any copper or silver embellishments, you will be able to take your projects to the next level.