Misconceptions about red copper purity in pure red copper jewelry on the market
Grade of Red Copper Jewelry: Focus on ≥99% Purity
For red copper jewelry with a verified purity of ≥99%, there is no universal official "grade name" in the jewelry industry—unlike industrial electrolytic copper, which is regulated by mandatory standards such as GB/T 467. However, based on general purity classifications for copper materials and common jewelry industry practices, these bracelets fall into the "standard pure copper" grade.
Below is a detailed breakdown of this classification:
1. Core Purity Positioning: Standard Pure Copper (Not High-Purity Copper)
Copper purity is primarily categorized by copper content. A purity of ≥99% meets the fundamental definition of "pure copper"—distinct from "impure copper" or copper alloys (e.g., brass, bronze) with copper content below 99%. Yet it does not qualify as "high-purity copper" in industrial terms:
•High-purity red copper: Typically refers to copper with ≥99.9% content. Examples include industrial electrolytic grades like Cu-CATH-2 (≥99.90% purity), Cu-CATH-1 (≥99.95% purity), or higher-grade "4N pure copper" (99.99% purity). This material is designed for industrial use (e.g., electrical conductivity, electronic components), not jewelry—its low hardness makes it prone to deformation.
•Standard pure copper (Our jewelry’s category): With a copper content of 99.0%–99.89%, this is the most common purity range for "pure red copper bracelets" in jewelry. It retains pure copper’s key properties (metallic luster, thermal conductivity) while offering slightly higher hardness than high-purity copper—thanks to trace impurities (e.g., iron, lead, zinc) that are typically within safe limits. This hardness makes it ideal for jewelry, which require a degree of durability.
2. Jewelry Industry Perspective: ≥99% Purity as a Mainstream Qualified Standard
In red copper jewelry manufacturing, ≥99% purity serves as a high-quality baseline. Its advantages include:
•Reduced risk of uneven oxidation (e.g., localized blackening, spots) compared to low-purity copper or copper alloys (80%–95% copper content), which suffer from excess impurities.
•A metallic texture that closely matches pure copper’s natural character.
•A balance of aesthetics and practicality: it avoids the "soft, deformable" flaw of high-purity copper (≥99.9%).
Note: Some retailers may refer to 99% pure copper as "full copper" (analogous to "fine silver"), but this is not a nationally standardized term—it is an industry colloquialism.
Always rely on verified purity test data when purchasing.


