Dorothy's River Copper Bracelet

Frequently asked questions

• I've tried copper jewelry before and it didn't work. Why would this be different?

  Almost certainly because what you wore before wasn't solid copper.

  The vast majority of copper jewelry sold online is copper-plated — a thin coating over a base metal, which means almost no real copper contact with your skin.

  Every piece in our collection is 100% pure copper all the way through. No plating, no base metal, no coating. The difference between solid copper and plated copper against skin is significant, and most people notice it.

  The other factor is consistency — pure copper is meant to be worn daily, not occasionally. Wear it every day for a month before you decide.

• How do I take care of copper jewelry?

  Pure copper naturally develops a patina over time. To restore the shine, clean it gently with lemon and salt or white vinegar and salt, then rinse and dry thoroughly.

  Avoid prolonged contact with chlorine, saltwater, perfume, and harsh chemicals.

• Does copper actually do anything?

  I've been asked this for 40 years. Here's what I know:

  Copper is an essential mineral the human body genuinely needs, and wearing it against the skin is a practice that predates modern medicine by thousands of years.

  I've never made promises to anyone. What I can tell you is that people who came to me at 55, 60, 65 keep coming back — year after year, decade after decade — without me ever having to explain why.

  Whether you call that placebo or not, the people wearing my copper noticed something they want to keep noticing. That's all I've ever needed to know.

• Is there any scientific evidence?

  Formal clinical studies have produced mixed results, and I won't pretend otherwise.

  What I will say is this: copper has been worn against human skin for over 3,000 years across virtually every civilization on earth. Roman soldiers. Ayurvedic healers. Native American craftspeople. Generations of women who passed it down to their daughters, who passed it down to theirs.

  They weren't running double-blind trials. They were wearing what their grandmothers wore.

  My customers aren't scientists either — they're just people who tried everything else first.

• Can I wear it in water, or in the shower?

  Yes, you can.

  Pure copper is naturally resilient — it has been worn by fishermen, farmers, and laborers through every kind of weather and water for centuries.

  That said, a few things worth knowing:

  • Saltwater and chlorine will accelerate the patina process — your piece will darken and age faster than it would with dry wear.
    
  • This is not damage. It is simply the copper responding to its environment, the way real metal does.
    
  • Prolonged or repeated exposure to chlorine pools may affect the surface finish over time.
    

  If you prefer to keep the original shine, rinse the piece with fresh water after swimming and pat dry. Otherwise, wear it freely. It's made to be lived in, not stored.

• Is this just an overpriced piece of metal?

  Copper is a base metal, yes.

  What you're paying for is 100% pure material, crafted by hand, one piece at a time — and a standard we've never compromised on.

  We've kept full control over every piece in this collection because we refused to cut corners for volume. No mass production. No plating. No coatings.

  Every piece is shaped, engraved, and finished by hand. When these are gone, there won't be more.

  You can buy a copper-plated bracelet for a few dollars anywhere. This is something else.

• How long does shipping take?

  Australia: 6–12 business days.

  Today, shipping is FREE on all orders.

• Do you offer a money-back guarantee?

  If a piece isn't right for you for any reason — it doesn't fit, it's not what you expected, or you simply changed your mind — send it back and I'll refund you completely.

  I've spent 10 years building trust with people I've never met. I'm not going to change that in my last collection.