Purity Check

Is it real copper? Test it yourself.

Cheap "copper" is often iron or aluminium with a copper-coloured coating. Here's how to check any piece at home in five minutes — including ours.

See the 6 tests Our Purity Promise
At-home tests

Six simple ways to check copper

01

The magnet test

Pure copper is not magnetic. Hold a fridge magnet against the outside body. If it sticks, the piece is iron or steel with a copper coating.

02

Lemon & salt test

Rub half a lemon dipped in salt on a small spot at the base. Real copper turns bright rosy-pink within a minute. Coated metal stays dull or shows a grey or silver metal underneath.

03

Look inside

A pure copper bottle, jug or glass is copper-coloured inside too. A silver or grey inside means it is steel-lined or not pure copper. (Our steel-lined pieces are clearly labelled as such.)

04

Feel the weight

Copper is more than three times heavier than aluminium. A real copper bottle feels solid and heavy for its size, never light and tinny.

05

Watch it darken

Real copper slowly darkens and can show light green spots with daily water use. That's natural oxidation, a sign of genuine copper, and lemon and salt brings the shine back.

06

Jeweller's XRF test

For complete certainty, most jewellers with a karat meter (XRF machine) can check the metal in a few minutes for a small fee. It shows the exact copper percentage.

Do the lemon test on plain copper only. Meena-painted, printed, antique and lacquered finishes have a protective layer, so test those on the base or inside instead.

The Rivaj Purity Promise

Pure means pure.

Every piece we sell as pure copper is solid copper, not coated iron or aluminium. If a Rivaj piece sold as pure copper tests below 99% copper on an XRF report from a jeweller or lab within 30 days of delivery, send us the report with your order number and we will collect the piece and refund it in full.

  • Honest labelsPure copper, steel-lined or kalai-lined, clearly stated on every product
  • Pay on deliveryCash on Delivery on orders up to ₹2,500
  • Bulk buyersSamples sent first, test them at any lab before you order

Ordering for your company?

For corporate and bulk orders we send samples first, so your team can check the purity, weight and finish before you approve. Lab test reports can be arranged on request for large orders.

Request samples
FAQs

Copper purity, answered

How can I check if my copper bottle is pure copper?
Hold a magnet to it (pure copper is not magnetic), rub a small spot with lemon and salt (real copper turns bright pink), look inside (pure copper bottles are copper-coloured inside too) and feel the weight (copper is heavy). For full certainty, a jeweller with an XRF karat meter can test the exact copper percentage in minutes.
Does a magnet stick to pure copper?
No. Copper is not magnetic. If a magnet sticks firmly to a "copper" bottle or glass, it is most likely iron or steel with a copper-coloured coating.
Why is my copper bottle turning black or green?
Pure copper naturally oxidises with air and water, turning darker and sometimes showing light green spots. This is a sign of genuine copper. Clean it with half a lemon dipped in salt, rinse and dry.
Are Rivaj copper products pure copper?
Yes. Every Rivaj piece sold as pure copper is solid copper. Pieces with a steel or kalai (tin) lining are clearly labelled. If a Rivaj piece sold as pure copper tests below 99% copper on an XRF report from a jeweller or lab within 30 days of delivery, send us the report with your order number and we will collect the piece and refund it in full.
Can I test the copper before a bulk order?
Yes. For corporate and bulk orders we send samples first, so you can test the purity, weight and finish before approving the order. For regular orders, you can also choose Cash on Delivery on orders up to ₹2,500.