Brass is one of the most widely used metals in fashion jewelry, but some cogent questions still stand – does brass jewelry tarnish? Is brass jewelry good? The short answer is: Brass does not tarnish easily and is not as bad as many people say. With proper plating and care, brass jewelry can maintain its brilliance, durability, and style for years.
In this article, we will discuss how brass jewelry turns out over time and whether it’s a good choice for your collection.
What is Brass Jewelry?
Brass jewelry is made from a metal alloy, consisting majorly of COPPER and ZINC. This combination is why brass has its signature golden-yellow color, making it resemble real gold.
While it looks like real gold, it’s much affordable and lightweight, hence its suitability in making different types of jewelry designs, including delicate, statement, and minimalist pieces.
Common Types of Brass Jewelry
Brass can be manufactured in several forms. During the jewelry manufacturing process, brass is often coated with a fine metal (like gold, silver, or rhodium) to enhance its beauty and resistance to tarnish.
Gold Plated Brass Jewelry
It is made by bonding a thin layer of real gold (typically 0.05-2 microns) over a brass base through electroplating. It offers the look of real gold at a much lower cost, making it popular for fashion jewelry and trend-driven designs. The plating gives it the luxurious look of solid gold while keeping costs low.
Gold Filled Brass Jewelry
Unlike gold plated brass jewelry, a thicker layer of real gold is used for gold filled brass jewelry. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires that the bonded gold layer make up at least 5% (1/20th) of the jewelry’s total weight. This jewelry can generally last for 3-5 years under proper care and maintenance. It’s best suited for demi-fine jewelry brands that want a balance between affordability and luxury.
Silver Plated Brass Jewelry
Silver-plated brass jewelry has a thin layer of silver deposited onto the brass surface to give it a clean, bright, and reflective finish. This gives the jewelry the shining look of sterling silver while being affordable.
Will silver plated brass tarnish? Yes, silver plated brass jewelry will tarnish quickly if it is not e-coated. Also, it’s important that the jewelry is not exposed to air or moisture in order to retain its color.
Rhodium Plated Brass Jewelry
Rhodium plated brass jewelry is not susceptible to tarnishing. The brass base is coated with rhodium (a strong, rare metal), which gives it a durable, reflective white finish. This jewelry is very hypoallergenic and highly resistant to tarnishing, making it a suitable choice for fashion jewelry that wants the very best quality.
Does Brass Jewelry Tarnish Over Time?
It depends on whether it’s properly plated and cared for. Uncoated brass jewelry tarnishes quickly because of its copper content. Tarnishing occurs when the copper in brass reacts with air, moisture, or skin oils.
However, does gold plated brass tarnish? No, when the brass jewelry is properly coated (with either gold, silver, or rhodium), it won’t tarnish easily. Also, regular cleaning, polishing, and storing in a dry, airtight pouch can help maintain its luster for a very long time. For more tips on keeping your jewelry shining, check out our guide on tarnish free gold jewelry.
Does Gold Plated, Silver Plated, or Rhodium Plated Brass Jewelry Tarnish?
- Gold Plated Brass Jewelry: How well it withstands tarnish depends on the plating thickness and quality. If the plating is very thin and isn’t done properly, the jewelry will tarnish quickly. But if the gold layer is thick and well-bonded, the rate of tarnishing reduces.
- Silver Plated Brass Jewelry: Silver plating brass is susceptible to tarnishing, and it’s less durable than gold or rhodium plating. But e-coating can be used to slow the process and still provide good quality if well maintained. It requires regular cleaning and proper storage.
- Rhodium Plated Brass Jewelry: Rhodium is among the most tarnish-resistant metals for plated brass jewelry. When coated on the brass base, the jewelry stays shiny longer and resists scratching or fading.
How to Stop Brass Jewelry from Tarnishing?
Here are ways to stop brass jewelry from tarnishing:
- Avoid exposure to water and chemicals.
- Take off your brass jewelry before bathing or swimming.
- Avoid exposure to lotion, sweat, and perfume as much as possible.
- Apply a thin coat of clear nail polish on your skin before wearing brass jewelry to stop sweat.
- Learn how to clean tarnished brass jewelry at home (step-by-step guide).
- Store your brass jewelry in an airtight pouch/box.
Is Brass Jewelry Good & Safe? Is It a Good Metal for Jewelry?
Is brass good for jewelry? Absolutely, brass is one of the best metals to make jewelry. Brass jewelry is affordable, durable, and can be used to make various designs – making it an excellent choice for brands creating affordable luxury jewelry.
Versatile – Perfect for Complex Designs
Brass is a soft metal and is renowned for making intricate designs. It’s perfect for both simple and complex styles, including detailed carvings, elaborate patterns, and minimalist shapes. Whether the mechanical bond or chemical bond manufacturing process is used, the natural golden hue of brass makes it blend with different styles.
Durable – Built to Withstand Daily Wear
The mixture of copper & zinc in the makeup of brass makes it hard and resistant to daily wear. But when brass is coated with other solid metals, like gold, silver, or rhodium, it becomes more durable and maintains its shine for a longer period. This makes brass suitable for everyday jewelry that gets exposed to daily wear, like brass necklaces and bracelets.
Affordable – Stylish at a Reasonable Cost
Brass can be designed to offer the high-end looks of precious metals by simply coating it with a layer of gold, making it a go-to choice for brands who want to offer stylish, luxurious jewelry pieces at an affordable price. This also makes it possible for brands to tap into trends and have collection versatility without spending too much.
Is Brass Jewelry Hypoallergenic?
Is brass hypoallergenic? Well, it depends on whether it is properly plated and handled. Unplated brass jewelry is not entirely hypoallergenic. It contains copper and sometimes, trace amounts of nickel. These metals cause redness, itching, and greenish skin marks.
However, coated brass jewelry is generally hypoallergenic and safe to wear. However, their safety depends on how thick and well-bonded the coated metal is. For example, a gold filled brass jewelry that’s coated with a very thick layer of gold can be worn safely by most people, including individuals with sensitive skin. To learn more, dive into our detailed guide on nickel free jewelry.
Is Gold Plated, Silver Plated, or Rhodium Plated Brass Jewelry Hypoallergenic?
- Gold Plated Brass Jewelry: Is gold plated brass good quality and hypoallergenic? Yes, it is. Gold is naturally hypoallergenic, so when it’s coated on brass, it becomes good quality and safe to wear. However, it depends on how thick the gold plating is.
- Silver Plated Brass Jewelry: Ordinarily, it’s not hypoallergenic, but when e-coated, it becomes safe to wear for most people. Notwithstanding, prolonged exposure to air and moisture should be avoided because silver is not as durable as gold or rhodium.
- Rhodium Plated Brass Jewelry: Rhodium is naturally hypoallergenic and highly resistant to corrosion. It’s often used for luxury jewelry because it guarantees the highest form of safety for all skin types.
Is Brass Jewelry Waterproof?
Brass jewelry itself is not fully waterproof, as the metal can react with moisture and gradually darken. But there are some techniques to achieve waterproof brass jewelry, which include protective coating methods like e-coating and rhodium plating. They make jewelry tougher and resistant to water. These are the techniques usually used for waterproof gold jewelry and other water-resistant jewelry pieces.
Regardless of these protective measures, it’s advisable to take off brass jewelry before bathing or swimming, so the chlorine in the pool can weaken the protective e-coating layer over time.
How Long Does (Gold Plated) Brass Jewelry Last?
Uncoated brass jewelry pieces can last for weeks to months, depending on the frequency of use and the elements they are exposed to. Brass jewelry that is properly coated and maintained can last longer(depending on how thick the coating is). For example, a quality gold plated brass jewelry can last for 6 months without noticeable fading or discoloration. While gold filled jewelry can conveniently last for 3-5 years because of the thick coating layer.
At Nendine, our brass jewelry is plated with two layers of silver and e-coating to maximize the tarnish resistance and extend the lifespan.
Will Using Brass as Jewelry Material Affect Product Quality or My Brand Image?
No, using brass won’t affect your product quality or brand image. Brass doesn’t automatically mean “tarnish easily” or “low quality”. In fact, many well-known brands use brass to create luxurious, high-quality jewelry without overspending.
For most customer groups, brass is a safe and reliable metal to use. However, if you’re making baby jewelry or have extremely high hypoallergenic standards, you can consider not using brass metals. If you’re not sure, feel free to contact us.
Typical Jewelry Brands that Use Brass Metal
Still wondering if brass jewelry is good or bad? Many reputable jewelry brands use brass as their base material. 2 major ones are:
Kendra Scott
Known for its elegant and colorful gemstones, Kendra Scott frequently uses brass as the base metal before applying high-quality plating for many of its fashion jewelry pieces. This ensures each piece has a luxurious finish while remaining lightweight and budget-friendly.
Gorjana
Gorjana’s minimalist jewelry collections frequently feature brass pieces plated with gold for a sleek, modern look. The brand focuses on timeless 18K gold plating, silver plating, and rhodium plating designs that are durable, stylish, and accessible.
Key Takeaway
For many jewelry brands, brass remains a smart choice – it’s cost-effective, durable, and customizable for different designs. With proper plating and care, brass jewelry is good and safe to wear, and it doesn’t tarnish easily. Contact a professional custom jewelry manufacturer to ensure proper plating and a high level of tarnish-resistance.
FAQs
Yes, it contains a small amount of nickel. But when the nickel release is within safety standards and the jewelry is properly plated, it can be considered safe to wear.
Yes, brass without coating can turn the skin green. It happens when the brass metal is exposed to air or moisture, which is why coating is important. When brass is coated with resistant metals (like gold, silver, and rhodium), it won’t turn the skin green.
No, brass jewelry does not rust because it doesn’t contain iron. However, brass can tarnish over time as the copper in the alloy reacts with air and moisture, creating a dull or dark patina on the surface. But it can be cleaned or polished off to restore the jewelry’s original shine.
No, it is not suggested to shower with brass jewelry. While it may survive occasional contact with water, it cannot withstand prolonged or repeated water contact. For safer options to choose, check our guide on types of jewelry you can shower with and swim in.
