Copper, bronze and brass are cousins. All three are made with copper, and once they've aged and darkened they can be surprisingly hard to tell apart. Here's how to sort them out.
The Quick Difference
- Copper is a pure metal with a pinkish, reddish-orange color, like a new penny.
- Bronze is mostly copper mixed with tin. It's a duller reddish-brown to golden brown, and it's hard, heavy and strong.
- Brass is copper mixed with zinc. It's a brighter yellow-gold color.
Check the Color
Find a spot where the metal is clean, such as the base, an inside edge or a worn spot. Pink or red-orange points to copper. Bright yellow points to brass. Muted brown-gold points to bronze. Never scratch or polish a visible area of a piece you plan to sell, since original patina can matter to collectors.
Look at the Patina
- Copper darkens to brown, and often develops a blue-green (verdigris) coating where moisture has touched it.
- Bronze ages to a deep brown, sometimes with a green finish, and statues are often given a dark patina on purpose.
- Brass tarnishes to a dull, darker gold-brown, sometimes with dark spots.
Weight, Hardness and Sound
- Copper is soft, so it dents and scratches easily. Look for dents on old pots and pans.
- Bronze is hard and heavy. It's often cast into solid shapes like statues, bells and bookends.
- Brass is hard too, and often cast or machined into candlesticks, hardware and decorative pieces.
- Tap it: bronze tends to ring with a clear, bell-like tone (bronze is the classic bell metal). Copper gives a duller, softer sound.
Check With a Magnet
None of these three metals is magnetic. If a magnet sticks firmly, you're looking at plated steel or iron, not solid copper, bronze or brass. See our guide to solid brass vs. brass-plated for more on plating.
Watch for Imitations
- "Spelter" or white metal statues were often finished to look like bronze. They're lighter, and a scratch on the bottom shows grayish-silver metal underneath.
- Copper-plated pieces may show silver or gray metal where the plating has worn off.
- Resin "bronzes" feel light and warm to the touch, and sound dull when tapped.
Look for Marks
Many pieces are marked: "Solid Copper," "Bronze," "Solid Brass," a foundry mark, or an artist's signature cast into a bronze. Popular vintage copper makers include Gregorian, Coppercraft Guild and Nekrassoff. Read our guide to Nekrassoff copper to learn more.
Cleaning and Care
- Dust gently and wipe with a soft dry cloth.
- Think twice before polishing: many collectors prefer original patina, especially on bronze, and polishing can lower value.
- Never use harsh abrasives on any of these metals.
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