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Patina, Pa-tah-no

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Rust. Oxidation. Corrosion. The bane of pretty much every metal worker. Jewelers nice-wash the concept by calling it patina. If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's a duck.

It's like clarifying the difference between weeds and flowers. Some weeds have beautiful flowers and some flowers have horrendous blooms. Few of us would call roses weeds but they can act that way depending on the situation.

We don't like rust on our tools. Bad things happen. However, many mechanics prefer "rusty" tools. Let me explain. Rust is not desirable but the blackened surface on tools is just another form of rust (i.e. the flower version, not the weed version). Guns use special oxidation (bluing) that will hamper the weed oxidation while protecting the metal.

Jewelry is similar with patina, which is a surface coloring or treatment usually produced by chemicals or heat. However, unlike tools, it is not for protecting but a visual element to beautify the weed version of oxidation, to make it look like a flower.

A fellow crafter who made non-metallic novelty items and fashion accessories was confused about patina's characteristics and behavior. She had seen some copper foldformed bracelets I had on display. She admired the textures, intrigued by the different colors. Copper can have anything from a deep black to blues, reds, purples, golds, yellows, browns, and more.

I explained how this happened but she was still confused, leaving with more questions than answers. That's frustrating for both of us. Here's the gist: The copper was colored (patinaed) as a result of oxidation, either though heat or chemicals, and not because of a paint or covering.

This permanent condition will not revert to shiny copper naturally. Its appearance and colors will continue to change because of environmental factors or more heat and chemicals. Eventually it'll look like an old copper penny if another color isn't a more advanced form of oxidation (the blacks, for instance, or verdi gris).

To preserve the look as it sits would require a coating. Temporary ones include some sort of wax, but that will wear off in quick haste rubbing against skin, clothes, etc. A more permanent solution is applying lacquer or paint; clearcoat automotive spray works best. It will endure possibly for years between applications.

Argentium® silver, a patented sterling silver formula, uses germanium as an additive. The oxidation layer is invisible compared to regular sterling silver, which will turn black after time. In stark contrast, titanium and niobium get their rainbow colors based on the oxidation layer's thickness.

Posted by M: September 30, 2025

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