Buzz
Brass water containers are a chic alternative to traditional water bottles, often promoted as having various health benefits. While many of these claims remain unverified, there is some evidence suggesting that brass containers may possess antibacterial properties. If you've recently purchased a brass water container, there are a few home tests you can conduct to ensure that it’s a valuable item and not a counterfeit. Here are 9 ways to confirm whether your brass container is made of pure brass.
Steps
Look for the reddish-orange color of brass
Brass has a reddish-orange hue instead of silver or gold tones. Real brass absorbs blue-green light, giving it its distinctive reddish-orange color. Observe the container under light – if it lacks the reddish-orange hue, it is likely not genuine brass.
Test with a Magnet
Brass is not attracted to any magnet. To test your container, grab any type of magnet and see if it sticks to the container. If it does, your container is definitely not made of brass.
- Even if your container passes the magnet test, it doesn’t guarantee it’s brass, but it’s a good start.
Measure with a Multimeter
Brass has a resistivity of 1.7 x 10⁻⁸ Ohm/m. Use a multimeter to check the resistivity of your container. Set the multimeter to ‘ohms’ – the unit for measuring resistance, represented by the Greek letter omega. Adjust the multimeter to the lowest setting and place both the red and black probes on the container. If the resistivity reading is 1.7 x 10⁻⁸, you can be confident that your container is made of genuine brass.
- You can purchase an Ohmmeter at tool stores.
Calculate the Density
Genuine brass has a density of 8.96 g/cm³. Fill the container with water to determine its volume, which is the amount of liquid it can hold. Then, place the container on a scale to measure its weight in grams. Divide the weight by the volume – genuine brass typically has a density around 8.96 g/cm³.
- For instance, if your container weighs 1,000 g and holds 2,400 cm³ of water, the density would be only 0.42 g/cm³—this indicates that it is not made of genuine brass.
Tap the Surface of the Container to Listen to the Sound
Genuine brass produces a smooth, mellow sound. Tap the surface of the container quickly – do you hear a ringing sound? Real brass has a smooth, resonant tone, not a sharp, cold sound.
Look for Bluish Green Spots
Brass turns bluish-green when exposed to environmental elements. The bluish-green spots are called patina (copper corrosion), which helps prevent further corrosion. If you notice a bluish-green patina on your container, you can be confident that it is made of genuine brass.
- If it's a brand new container, you might not see any bluish-green spots yet.
Feel the surface of the vase to detect any dents.
Copper is a relatively soft metal and may have some imperfections. If you're using an old copper vase, it's likely to have areas that are dented or misshapen. Run your hand across the surface – if it feels completely smooth, your vase may not be made of pure copper.
- You may not notice any dents or defects if the vase is a new copper one.
Check the serial number.
Copper is not registered or controlled by the Unified Numbering System (UNS). UNS assigns specific numbers to metals and alloys, but copper isn't regulated or labeled within this system – if you spot a series of numbers or letters on the vase, it might not be made of copper.
- UNS uses the letter “C” in some of their labels, but this doesn’t indicate that the vase is made of copper. The “C” is just part of their numbering system.
Buy from a reputable seller.
Smart shopping can help you avoid purchasing counterfeit products. Online stores often claim they sell pure copper vases, but they might be selling replicas. To ensure you get high-quality, authentic items, look for a reputable seller of copperware rather than taking a chance with an unfamiliar vendor.
- If you're buying a copper water vase online, be sure to thoroughly check customer reviews first.
Warning
- Copper water vases are visually appealing, but copper can leach into the water. If too much copper seeps into the water, it could lead to diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting.
- Do not leave water in a copper vase overnight or store acidic liquids like orange juice in it. This could increase the risk of copper leaching into the water.
