Metallic Copper & Oxidization

[noddanard]

Hi there... I ordered a RAME wallet from the 50% sale.
Today, I spoke to a friend. She said her friend owns a copper veneta and keeps it in the closet most of the time. Her copper bag somehow get oxidized and turned green. She bought it in Hong Kong. They sent it back to Italy and she got a red nappa in exchange.

Does anyone have experience with copper?

I don't know if I should cancel my order.
I'm sure there are many people in the wait list for this wallet.

[jelts]

Ack! I'm interested to know about the outcome as well. But then again, I've read somewhere that it hasn't....

[Mary_Swe]

Oh.... That´s not good. Anyone else had this experience?

[angelalam5]

Hmm, it will be interesting to see some of the responses, as the SA I dealt with in Phoenix mentioned that Copper Rame was very durable.

[jburgh]

Wow, that is interesting. Copper, the metal can oxidize to that verdigris color in the presence of acid. This is why outdoor copper statues turn green faster in polluted or industrial cities...because the sulfur oxides in the air becomes acid rain.

I would think the copper treatment on a bag would have some further coating to prevent this. Who wants to be our Sherlock Holmes and find out how the copper is applied and any finishing treatment?

[LT bag lady]

You know when I got the LE Fenice from BG in the Oxidized Copper I wondered about the process... It was divine! a work of art... I would love to know how it was done.

[Mid-]

That is very interesting. I remember my very slight disappointment when I saw oxidized copper IRL because it did not have as much green rust colour as I expected from the pics. I figured it varies in each piece, but didnt' at all think it may progress over time.

I agree with jburgh, BV must have done some coating, so your friend's veneta could be some sort of defect, otherwise, gah, I just had this mental image that the verdigris starts eating up the entire bag....

Has your friend contacted the store about it yet, noddanard?

[newbaglover]

Oh, I was thinking about a medium pouch in copper... does anybody know if they get damaged soon? it has a very good price at the sale...

[kroquet]

I tried googling the process but then had to run out. I will try and do another search.

[NYCshopGirl80]

Having also just purchased a rame, I'm also curious....

[Bichon Lover]

^^^^^

Ditto, the wallet and card case.

[NYCshopGirl80]

noddanard- was your friend's bag a rame, or oxidized copper? I know there are a few copper varieties. My SA also told me the rame was extremely durable, even more than the traditional leather bags. Do you think if we called the store they'd tell us? As long as BV is willing to repair or replace bags with damage. Very strange.... If the bag has this issue, you'd think it couldn't get wet....

[doreenjoy]

Originally Posted by Mid-

That is very interesting. I remember my very slight disappointment when I saw oxidized copper IRL because it did not have as much green rust colour as I expected from the pics. I figured it varies in each piece, but didnt' at all think it may progress over time. I agree with jburgh, BV must have done some coating, so your friend's veneta could be some sort of defect, otherwise, gah, I just had this mental image that the verdigris starts eating up the entire bag.... Has your friend contacted the store about it yet, noddanard?

The process for copper rame was changed between the trunk show and the actual production. That's why the copper rame in the catalog has those green touches -- it was the original method. I was told that during the trunk show, most customers did NOT like the green effect, so the process was changed before items went into production.

I can find out more and report back unless someone beats me to it.

[NYCshopGirl80]

Originally Posted by doreenjoy

The process for copper rame was changed between the trunk show and the actual production. That's why the copper rame in the catalog has those green touches -- it was the original method. I was told that during the trunk show, most customers did NOT like the green effect, so the process was changed before items went into production. I can find out more and report back unless someone beats me to it.

Thanks for the insight! I've been stalking this thread trying to see what people found out!

[Baggiana]

Originally Posted by noddanard

Today, I spoke to a friend. She said her friend owns a copper veneta and keeps it in the closet most of the time. Her copper bag somehow get oxidized and turned green. She bought it in Hong Kong. ... Does anyone have experience with copper?

I may be off-base, but this is how I read it: The veneta which turned green is the copper intrecciato gros grain (as detailed in the catalog), not the rame ossidato which shows oxidation or which we refer to as oxidized copper. The are two different finishes and looks. The veneta should not turn green unless the metallic coating is being oxidized - which would mean that it is uncoated. It could have been that her particular bag was unique. In any event, I would expect that if this were a real problem with lots of bags we would have heard about it since many have had the veneta for a while. Perhaps doreenjoy can get the scoop from her SA - I have no one at the moment to chat up on this issue, though my order included two rame items. I am not worried....yet.