Bronze was mankind’s first metal alloy, created approximately 3,500 B.C. Tin was combined with copper to create items that were both harder and stronger than those made from only copper such as tools, armor, weapons and building materials.
Bronze is well known as the metal of choice of sculptors, however it also has a long history of other uses in coins, tools, strings in musical instruments, and even as mirrors before glass was used. But my favorite use for bronze, of course, is in handmade pendants, earrings and bracelets for men and women.
There are many bronze alloys, but the majority of today’s true bronzes are copper and 5-15% tin. Bronze alloys are much harder than pure copper and have twice the tensile strength. This makes bronze more difficult to work with than pure copper; however, the results are worth the additional effort. Thanks to its copper content, bronze can be oxidized to produce a variety of wonderful patinas like on this pendant.