How to identify Copper 

Low grade copper; 

Low grade we consider any copper that is not pure and “contaminated”. For example, if you have a piece of copper pipe that is painted, has limescale and a steel or brass attachment, we would consider this lower grade, but it is still valuable! Just not as much as high grade.

 High grade copper: this would be clean uncoated copper, such as clean new pipe offcuts for example. Or any other copper item that is completely clean, shiny and free from any attachment’s. 

What items are typically copper? 

Pipes, some cookware, some decorative items, windings in motors, stators and alternators, some lamps, art décor 

BEWARE: often items can appear copper in colour even if they are not! 

Because the colour is very nice, but the metal is expensive, many companies plate or paint other metal items to make them look like copper, when they are not! To avoid disappointment please always test your item with a magnet and in the case of copper use a file to check what colour the item is underneath any possible coating, if its not a shiny reddish colour it is not copper. And if it is magnetic, it is not copper.