I have some 24 guage wire, looks like copper but is a more red than the copper wire I have bought in my local hardware store. I have stored the two spools of wire in the same toolbox for 10+ years and the 24 guage wire did not tarnish or even changed in color at all. I have since used the 24 guage in my jewlery and I am looking for something similar. I have been to all of the mianstream hardware and craft stores and have not found any wire that will not tarnish or the color will not scratch off while working with it. I have looked on the net and have found tons of wire manufacturers with copper alloy wire, but do not know what copper alloy will not tarnish. Please help if you can.
Copper continues to be conductive even after it tarnishes. think of of how many properties , homes and circuit boards have been around for some years with unprotected copper wiring and nevertheless habit without issues. i might take my possibilities leaving the uncovered board unprotected over the possibilities of a conductive coating being the conductive floor. Even a coating is made up of copper debris in a suspension of resin or latex and can't be as conductive as good steel could be, even with floor oxidation
Chances are your untarnished copper wire is clear-coated. You can do this yourself with a spray or brush-on varnish, best after the jewelery is made so it doesn't crack when bent. This is what many jewelers who work in copper use.
