Sertodo's copper goods are all hand hammered using 100% recycled sources of copper. As they are all made from solid copper, they are heavy when you pick them up and has a really good weight on your hands.
Unlike copper-plated goods that only have a thin layer of copper deposited over another metal, real copper goods also patina over time due to the reaction of copper ions with oxygen.
As authentic copper oxidizes over time with exposure to air and moisture, a greenish-blue patina will develop over time. addition, any copper good that is made of more than 95% copper is naturally anti-microbial such as our Niagara Copper Water Dispenser.
Why Knowing The Difference Matters
When it comes to investing your money in high quality copper goods, educating yourself about the difference between real copper and copper-plated goods is crucial. Not only is the metal composition completely different, the quality you are getting also means lasting you for years to come or a mere 1 to 2 years of use.
On top of that, if you are serious about investing in real copper cookware, only authentic copper gives you the superior conductivity and durability. Unlike commercial copper-plated cookware that only looks good on the outside, real copper goods are heavy to handle, cook very well on low to medium heat, and is gives you an even cooking performance.
Lastly, in order to reap the positive effects of drinking copper water, only real copper will have the oligodynamic effects due to the presence of copper ions.
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Real Copper vs Copper-Plated: The Differences
1. Weight and appearance
Real copper has a reddish hue and appearance that you simply won't find in copper-plated goods. As copper is also a dense metal, it should feel heavy in your hands. No matter how small, authentic copper has substantial weight that copper-plated goods simply do not have.
What to look out for with real vs fake copper:
- Real copper should have a soft matte appearance(not shiny like a mirror, or a gold, yellowish color)
- Variations in color: there should be different shades of the warm, reddish-brown tone that authentic copper has
2. Composition
Copper-plated goods have a thin layer of copper over another layer of metal such as stainless steel or aluminium. However, our authentic copper goods are made of 100% recycled sources of copper, not to mention each piece we sell is hand-hammered.
Why does this matter in application? As mentioned earlier when it comes to copper drinkware or cookware products, solid copper gives you great cooking performance, antimicrobial properties as well as long-lasting use that makes it worth the investment.
3. Magnetic properties
Copper is definitely not magnetic, so if you use a magnet to test its authenticity, the answer should be pretty clear.
How to do the magnet test:
- Use a small magnet and place it near the copper product.
- If the magnet attaches to the product, then it is definitely copper-plated as the magnet is attracted to the stainless steel or iron underneath.
4. Patina
The unique patina that develops on pure copper products are sometimes the main reason for copper lovers and collectors. When it comes to copper-plated goods, you will see that over time the fake copper appearance will stay shiny and lacks the character that solid copper has.
Final Takeaway
Pure copper should have the following properties:
- A matte appearance with variety in the trademark reddish, brown hue
- Non-magnetic
- Heavy or weighted when you hold it in your hands
- Antimicrobial
Before you purchase any copper goods, be sure to inspect its appearance carefully and do the magnet test. High quality, authentic copper products should have labels such as "pure copper" or "99.99% to 100% copper".
Sertodo's copper goods are all 100% hand hammered from recycled sources of copper, and solidly constructed. Made lovingly by skilled artisans by hand, we have a lifetime guarantee for our heirloom quality copper goods to last you for generations to come! You can also learn more about Sertodo's story here.
Source:
https://coppermugs.com/blogs/copper-mugs/how-to-identify-if-your-copper-item-is-real-copper-or-not?srsltid=AfmBOoqjZ4t_1A9AuZcfD6hFr8_J9O79ZBFwHAMbCtX7ocTJncKVOrLh
https://www.lacopperahome.com/blogs/news/how-to-identify-pure-copper-products-before-buying-2026