DIY Patina Key Necklace

Are you looking for a fun gift to give to your bridesmaids? This is even a fun project you ladies can all do together! I can picture someone giving these as a gift with a sentiment such as “You’re a Key-per” or “Here’s the Key to my Heart”… so adorable. This patina key necklace is super easy to make, and if you are wondering how to age metal, this technique will work. It’s especially effective on bronze, copper and brass.

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Here are the supplies you will need for your own patina key necklace. If you were ever wondering how to patina metal, this is a great tutorial for metal – not just keys.

Vinegar
Hydrogen Peroxide
Salt
Vintage Key (find some here)
Necklace Chain (find copper ones here)
Glass Container

And now the steps to DIY your own patina key necklace.

Place the key into the glass container and pour just enough vinegar over it to cover it on both sides. Let sit 10 minutes.
Add in the same amount of hydrogen peroxide as you did with the vinegar.
Sprinkle salt to cover the key.
Let sit in this mixture for an hour (or more or less depending on the patina you would like). You will see the liquid start to become a rust color.

Then remove your patined key.

The photo below shows the same exact key – the left is natural and the right has been aged by using the vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and salt mixture.

Voila! Now you are ready to add a chain and show off your aged key.

Isn’t that so easy and pretty?

Of course, the key can be worn without aging it. Also, if you so choose, you can use a spray sealer to protect the patina so that the key does not age more. So cute! Below is a photo of our two ways to age keys. We’ll share the second one soon!