Set up of electroforming bath / Copper plating set up with a blue magnetic stirrer, dc supply and midas brightner, copper jewelry, copper healing , copper crystal jewelry, copper healing, healing jewelry

What is Electroforming?

Electroforming is a mad-scientist project that deposits metal on to an item of choice using the power of electricity. You start by prepping the piece you want to coat in metal. If it is a porous object, you will want to seal it first or it may dissolve or get damaged during the process. After that part is done, you secure a jump ring with super glue, this is needed not only to make awesome jewelry, but to connect to your electricity current. You have to make sure to let everything dry completely before moving on to the next step. So, once the jump ring is secure, it’s time to paint with conductive, or graphite paint. This is used to tell the metal where to plate on the object - so if you don’t want metal on it, don’t paint that part. Also, please don’t forget to wear glove while working with this stuff! Safety First! Now if you have any gemstones on your piece, it’s smart to use a liquid latex and protect those puppies from getting damaged too! Plus it’s fun to take off afterwards.

Okay so now that you have your piece all ready to go, it’s time to set up the mad-scientist blue bath. I purchased my first round of solution from Enchanted Leaves. Then River made a new batch from root kill! I’ll get his secret formula for you all soon! This solution is basically metal salts, in our case, since we are doing copper it’s Copper Sulphate. Make sure to use gloves and other safety gear with this stuff!
You need the solution in a container big enough to submerge your piece completely. Next, you need a copper anode (copper wire, pipe, etc), this is what will replenish the copper in the solution that is plating to your piece. Then you will need to submerge your piece in the middle of the solution and container, using a copper wire. Using the wires from your DC Power Supply, connect the positive to the anode and the negative to the wire holding your cathode ( or item). You will now need to set your amps and according to Enchanted Leaves, the general formula to figure this out is:


0.1 amps per square inch of surface area.

Now you will want to monitor your piece and adjust the amps as needed. Depending on the size of your piece it can take anywhere from 8-24+ hours!

Won’t Copper Turn My Skin Green?

Does copper turn your skin green like the wrist in this photo? Green stain where you were wearing your copper jewelry? Copper Jewelry Staining, Green stained wrist

When Copper comes into contact with different elements, it starts to change its appearance, or oxidize. If Copper is exposed to anything containing salt or acid, you will see a blueish-greenish tarnish on the surface. This can rub off onto your skin, however, unless allergic, is completely harmless.

Our bodies contains both salt and acid, we also sweat throughout the day, which means this greenish tint tends to show up on our skin. This usually shows more in people who has more acid in their bodies. Excessive Sweating, stress and a diet full of fried foods can all add salt and acid into the body.

Green coloring on the skin can be easily washed off with soap and water

Caring for your Copper Jewelry

Place warm water & a few drops of lemon juice in a bowl and let soak for a few minutes.

  • Lightly scrub with a soft toothbrush.

  • Keep all jewelry dry, take off when you shower, swim or wash your hands.

  • Store in a dry place or plastic bag, preferably not in the bathroom or other humid rooms.

  • Avoid spraying beauty products onto copper.

  • Remove when sleeping.

  • Polish with cloth as necessary.