Wearing Copper Jewelry for Good Health

Copper jewelry is loved by many due to its beauty and versatility. Because copper is so malleable, it lends itself to many creative designs. In addition to its many innovative designs, copper also may provide some health benefits to its wearer.

Copper rings, necklaces, and bracelets are once again becoming very popular. It's a commonly held belief that by wearing copper jewelry, your skin will absorb certain minerals and as a result, impact your health positively. Copper is an important mineral essential to body metabolism and red blood cell production.

Although copper is an essential trace mineral, it is still debatable whether or not copper jewelry has any direct influence on overall health. Frequent claims include easing pain relief due to arthritis and enhancing skin tone. Copper bracelets with magnets in them are a common over the counter arthritis remedy. They are reported to help both osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis.

Throughout history, copper has been favored by many people and cultures due to its malibility. Eastern Europe, Egypt, and Iran have many astonishing examples of early copper jewelry. Copper was one of the first metals to be used by humans in its natural occuring state. By 8000 B.C., copper was used as a substitue for stone by Neolithic man. Copper castings first appeared around 4000 B.C. by the Egyptians, and 500 years later, around 3500 B.C., it was alloyed with tin to produce Bronze. Copper was associated with the goddess Aphrodite/Venus in mythology and alchemy, owing to its lustrous beauty and its ancient use in producing mirrors. Copper takes its name from the Latin aes Cyprium, meaning "metal of Cyprus," shortened to cyprium and later corrupted to cuprum.

Copper jewelry will eventually oxidize, unless it has been coated with varnish or a protectant. Usually, copper will patina into a beautiful shade of green. Skin that has reacted with copper will often turn green as well and the reaction is completely harmless to the body. Copper rings have the highest chance of turning skin green, since rings are in constant contact with your skin.

One of the largest concentrations of native copper in the world is in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Upper Michigan. Other deposits can be found in Australia, Germany, England, Bolivia, Russia, and in Arizona. The warm rich tones of copper jewelry not only make it a "must have" of any fashion conscious woman, it provides a similar look to Rose Gold at a fraction of the price.