So What Exactly Is Patina? We Asked The Experts

While polishing items like sterling silver flatware and brass bookends takes a little bit of elbow grease, there’s a point at which the scrubbing can actually go a step too far. Shhh…we won’t tell your Mama if you don’t. Part of what makes these antique items so special is their natural patina, a thin layer that develops on a surface due to age, wear, or chemical reaction. Patina occurs when a metal is in a specific environment, and its aged look gives an object a bit of flare, hinting at its history, character, or authenticity. The most famous example of patina is perhaps the Statue of Liberty, which was once copper and now is its signature shade of green. Patina, however, doesn’t have to occur on such a grand scale. Even the most common household objects can develop patina over time, giving them an undeniably sophisticated look. 

How Does Patina Form? 

Metalworking as been a part of Jason Fredrick’s family for over 30 years. He has contributed to some of America’s most historically significant buildings, such as The Homestead and Monticello. Based in Virginia, our country’s first colony, it’s no surprise that Fredrick has a particular interest in history and the architecture that shaped our past and continues to shape or present. The Colonial Metalcrafts collection by Shades of Light stands out because it’s completely made by hand; power tools need not apply. As such, Frederick has developed a keen appreciation for patina, “It’s a byproduct...beautiful and protective,” he says. Patina forms when metal reacts to its environment. “A copper fixture can have different traits, shades, and age-rates on its exposure and other environmental factors,” he explains. He says he’s even had instances of the same fixture being used on the front and back of a home, but patina-ing differently because of the elements. 

Is Patina A Bad Thing?

Metals like brass and copper are living materials, essentially changing as they age through being handled or exposed, and patina is part of what makes those materials special and durable. “If you were to put a copper fixture in a normal environment, it's going to adapt to create that patina, and it's not going to degrade in our lifetime,” he says. In fact, in coastal or maritime settings, brass is often preferred because it can withstand the elements. 

Brass doorknobs and hinges will go through what Tom Hooper calls “honest patina,” or the naturally darkening process. Hooper is co-owner and co-craftsman behind ASL Pewter, a renowned pewter shop that has provided pewter pieces to movie and television sets such as the HBO John Adams miniseries. “Every time you touch [an object], you're adding a little more patina, which is actually very desirable. When fine pieces of furniture that are several hundred years old are refinished, it reduces their value,” he explains. 

How Do You Maintain Patina?

In short, avoid vigorous polishing, or at the very least, avoid abrasive polishing. Those dark spots that get into crevices of sterling silver flatware or pewter decor add to its beauty, and are sometimes done purposefully. Hooper says of his company’s popular Christmas ornaments, “We use an acid patina, then remove most of it to create a little bit of darkness, so those details pop.” 

What if natural patina happens too quickly?

If natural patina is happening too quickly, Fredrick recommends Renaissance Wax to slow it down. “You can use it on everything; leather, wood, and metal, It's great,” he says. His biggest piece of advice is to avoid clear coat and lacquer because it will remove the ability for the item to age (and therefore patina!) naturally. 

Is Patina A Sign Of Quality?

Both of our experts say yes and no. Typically, even on brand new items, people like to see a little patina, and as such, both Shades of Light and ASL Pewter offer products that they patina in house. ASL Pewter has a museum finish inspired by the primitive decor trend. Today, Hooper is seeing a rise in their traditional shiny pewter finish which (bonus!) doesn’t require polishing. Each expert, however, says that the patina process ultimately can’t be replicated. If you’re a novice antique shopper, keep a small magnet with you as you shop to test items claiming to be brass. If the magnet sticks, you’ve actually found a steel item covered in brass versus a solid brass item. 

Quality materials will age well over time. Hooper sources his pewter within the U.S. as does Shades of Light. In fact, they get theirs from Revere Copper. Yes, that Revere. “Paul Revere was a metalsmith, and the Revere company comes from that family to this day,” he says. Talk about aging well!