What is Antique Brass?
Antique Brass is a finish electroplated on to brass (like chrome) which has the appearance of freshly polished brass. The plated surface is made up of nickel, chromium and other inert metals in a carefully balanced formula, and includes gold. Being chemically inert, it does not tarnish (that is, discolour in the presence of air and moisture). While it is not as hard as chrome plating,Antique Brass is much harder and more durable than 24 carat gold plating.
Antique brass is a term used to describe a finish which may appear on any metal item, most often a decorative household item. Brass is actually an alloy, or combination, of metals. Solid brass is 67% copper and 33% zinc. The natural finish of polished brass is shiny. To the contrary, an antique brass finish appears worn with time, is darker than natural brass, and absorbs more light than it reflects. Antique brass finish is most often applied to new products to make them appear aged. It is a popular finish for door hardware, lamps, and light fixtures, because many homeowners prefer antique brass to polished brass in their décor, especially if they are trying to avoid a modern look. An item does not have to be made of solid brass for it to have the look of antique brass. In fact, many newly manufactured items with antique brass finishes are not made of solid brass. Similarly, there are many specialty paints on the market that can be used to achieve a faux antique brass finish on nearly
