How to Identify an Original Copper Bottle

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Copper water bottles are a sleek alternative to regular bottles, boasting a lot of different health benefits. While most of these claims are unproven, some evidence suggests that water bottles made of real copper can kill bacteria. [1] If you’ve recently purchased a copper bottle of your own, try a few at-home tests to make sure it’s the real deal and not a knock-off. From looking at the color patterns of the metal to checking the bottle's sound, we’ll give you 9 ways to tell if you’ve got a pure copper bottle.

1

Look for a red-orange color.

PDF download Download Article
  1. True copper absorbs blue-green light, which creates a distinct, red-orange hue. Hold your bottle up to the light—if it doesn’t look red-orange, then there’s a good chance that it isn’t copper. [2]
    2. Advertisement
2

Test the bottle with a magnet.

PDF download Download Article
  1. [3] To test your bottle, grab a magnet—any kind will do. See if the bottle sticks to the magnet; if it does, your bottle definitely isn’t made of copper. [4]
    • Your bottle passing the magnet test doesn’t guarantee that it’s made of copper, but it’s a good start.
3

Measure it with a multimeter.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Test your own copper bottle with a multimeter to see if the resistance rating measures up. Calibrate your multimeter to “ohms”—this is the scientific unit that measures resistance, and is represented by the Greek letter omega. Adjust the multimeter to the lowest possible setting, and place both the red and black probe tips on your bottle. Then, check the resistance rating—if it reads as 1.7 x 10⁻⁸, you can be confident that your bottle is made with copper. [5]
    • You can purchase an ohmmeter at your local home improvement store.
    2. Advertisement
4

Calculate the density.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Fill your bottle with water to figure out its volume, or how much fluid it holds. Then, place the bottle on a scale to figure out its mass in grams. Divide the mass measurement by the volume—typically, authentic copper density is around 8.96 grams per cm³. [6]
    • For instance, if your water bottle weighed 1,000 grams and held 2400 cm³ of water, the density would only be 0.42 grams per cm³—therefore, it wouldn’t be real copper.
5

Tap on the surface to see what sound it makes.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Give the surface of your bottle a quick tap—does it sound tinny? Authentic copper has a smooth, resonating sound, not a sharp one. [7]
    2. Advertisement
6

Search for blue-green spots.

PDF download Download Article
  1. These blue-green spots are known as patina , and help prevent long-term corrosion. If you notice this blue-green patina on your bottle, you can be confident that it’s made with real copper. [8]
    • If your bottle is brand new, you probably won’t see any green spots.
7

Feel the bottle for dents.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you’re using a secondhand copper bottle, there’s a good chance it’s picked up some dings and dents along the way. Rub your hand along the surface—if it’s completely smooth, your bottle might not be pure copper. [9]
    • If your bottle is new, it might not have any dents or imperfections.
    2. Advertisement
8

Look for a numeric code.

PDF download Download Article
  1. The UNS registers certain metals and alloys with a specific code. Copper isn’t controlled or labeled under this system—if you see a group of numbers or letters on your bottle, then it probably isn’t made of copper. [10]
    • The UNS uses the “C” in some of their stamps, but this doesn’t mean the bottle is made with copper. The “C” is just part of their numbering system.
9

Shop from a trustworthy place.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Online shops may claim to sell pure copper bottles but may sell knock-offs. For high-quality, authentic goods, buy from a trustworthy copper seller instead of chancing it with a company you're unsure about.
    • If you do buy a copper bottle online, double-check the customer reviews first.
    2. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      Warnings

      • Copper water bottles may look really cool, but they can potentially leak copper into whatever you’re drinking. [11] If a lot of copper leaks into your water, you might experience diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. [12]
        Thanks
        Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0
      • Don’t leave your copper water bottle filled overnight, or fill it with an acidic drink, like orange juice. This increases the chance of copper leaking into your drink. [13]
        Thanks
        Helpful 3 Not Helpful 2
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      Beat Boredom with These Creative Craft Ideas
      How to
      Make a Rubber Band Star
      How to
      Make a Cooler from Insulating Material
      How to
      Build a Homemade Rube Goldberg Machine
      How to
      Create a Time Capsule That’ll Withstand the Test of Time
      6 Simple Icee Slime Recipes: Blue Raspberry, Cherry, & More
      How to
      Make DIY Fabric Bows without Sewing
      How to
      Build a Nativity Stable
      How to
      Cut Popsicle Sticks
      How to
      Make a Coupon Book for Tasks
      How to
      Make a Tin or Aluminum Foil Hat
      How to
      Build a Homemade Jack in the Box Toy
      Simple Steps to Clean & Polish Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
      How to
      Make a Rolling Roller Coaster
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2019-02-02/copper-water-bottles/10722776
      2. ↑ https://www.flinnsci.com/api/library/Download/485982234af046b491724d3736c93c51
      3. ↑ http://terpconnect.umd.edu/~wbreslyn/chemistry/is-copper-magnetic.html
      4. ↑ https://holostik.com/blog/fake-copper-common-check-copper-item-real-counterfeit/
      5. ↑ https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/references/how-to-use-a-multimeter
      6. ↑ https://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/29/copper
      7. ↑ https://holostik.com/blog/fake-copper-common-check-copper-item-real-counterfeit/
      8. ↑ https://www.copper.org/education/c-facts/facts-print.html
      9. ↑ https://holostik.com/blog/fake-copper-common-check-copper-item-real-counterfeit/
      1. ↑ https://holostik.com/blog/fake-copper-common-check-copper-item-real-counterfeit/
      2. ↑ https://nypost.com/2017/08/21/trendy-copper-water-bottles-can-make-you-sick/
      3. ↑ https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/ToxFAQs/ToxFAQsDetails.aspx?faqid=205&toxid=37
      4. ↑ https://nypost.com/2017/08/21/trendy-copper-water-bottles-can-make-you-sick/

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 65,054 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Harold B.

        Sep 17

        "It helped me to identify what real copper is. Thanks very much."
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement