Unlacquered brass evolves. Its look changes over time. Darkening in some places, lightening in others. This is the patina developing. Not damage, just character forming. A chemical reaction, the process is natural. And it all depends on the home’s moisture levels, usage, and touch. The way brass changes is out of our control. No two pieces will age the same. 

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. And it ages when the copper meets oxygen. On day one, a layer of cuprous oxide begins to form on the surface. It’s barely visible at first. But eventually it deepens to a warm amber. From here, as time goes on, the brass continues to darken. It can take weeks. It can take months. Unlacquered brass fittings will look totally different in a few years than they do now. The brass comes to feel lived with. 

You can specify our brass fittings with an already lived-in look if you don’t want to wait. Our tumbled finishes arrive already worn in. The surface is softly worn. It’s matte, with subtle highlights. We make it by putting components in a vibratory bowl with small abrasive ceramics and water. And we decide when the piece has tumbled enough. A tumbled finish, always unlacquered, will also continue to evolve. Explore our full range of finishes here.