Quick answer: Brass is made of copper and zinc, usually about two thirds copper and one third zinc. Small amounts of lead, tin or other metals are sometimes added to make it easier to machine or more resistant to corrosion.
What is brass made of? At its core, brass is a simple recipe of two metals: copper and zinc. That pairing gives brass its warm golden color, its easy workability and the gentle patina that makes an old brass chandelier feel so rich. This guide explains the metals in brass, the most common recipes and why the mix matters when you choose solid brass lighting for your home.
In this guide
- What is brass?
- What is brass made of?
- What are the metals in brass?
- Common types of brass
- How the zinc content changes the color
- How is brass made?
- Brass, bronze and copper compared
- Why brass suits light fixtures
- Solid brass vs brass plated
- How brass ages over time
- Shop solid brass lighting
- Frequently asked questions
What is brass?
Brass is a metal alloy, which means it is a blend of two or more metals melted together. The general reference on brass describes it as an alloy of copper and zinc in which the two metals share the same crystal structure. The result behaves like a single metal with its own color, strength and character.
So what is brass in everyday terms? It is the golden metal you find on old door knobs, ship fittings, musical instruments and heirloom lamps. People have used it since ancient times. The Romans struck coins from it and called it aurichalcum, a Latin word that means golden copper.
Brass is not gold and it contains no gold at all. Its color comes entirely from copper and zinc. If you are weighing the two looks for your home, our guide on brass vs gold lighting shows how to tell them apart.
What is brass made of?
Brass is made of copper and zinc. Copper is almost always the larger share, typically around 60 to 85 percent. Zinc makes up most of the rest, from about 15 to 40 percent.
Copper brings the warm color, softness and the ability to bend and stretch without cracking. Zinc lowers the cost, adds strength and hardness and shifts the color toward a lighter yellow. By adjusting the ratio, metalworkers can tune brass for very different jobs.
A high copper brass is soft and rosy, which makes it ideal for pieces that are spun or hammered. A higher zinc brass is harder and paler, which suits parts that are cast or machined. Both are still brass.
What are the metals in brass?
The metals in brass are copper and zinc first, with small additions that change how the alloy behaves. Here is what each one does.
| Metal | Typical share | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Copper | About 60 to 85% | Gives the warm color, softness and the ability to be shaped |
| Zinc | About 15 to 40% | Adds hardness and strength, lightens the color toward yellow |
| Lead | Often around 2% in machining brass | Makes the metal easier to cut on a lathe |
| Tin | About 1% in naval brass | Helps the alloy resist salt water |
| Iron, aluminum, others | Traces | Fine tune strength or corrosion resistance |
For most decorative brass, copper and zinc do nearly all the work. The extra elements are small additions used for specific industrial needs.
Common types of brass and their recipes
There are dozens of brass alloys, but a handful cover most of what you see in homes and workshops. Each is named for its recipe or its first use.
| Type | Copper | Zinc | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red brass | About 85% | About 15% | Rosy color, easy to form |
| Cartridge brass | 70% | 30% | Bright yellow, strong and easy to shape |
| Yellow brass | 67% | 33% | The classic golden brass color |
| Muntz metal | 60% | 40% | Harder and paler, easy to cast |
| Naval brass | 59% | 40% plus 1% tin | Resistance to salt water |
Cartridge brass takes its name from ammunition cases, while Muntz metal was first used to sheathe the hulls of wooden ships. Naval brass adds a little tin so it holds up in seawater. In lighting, the yellow and cartridge style recipes are the most familiar because they give that clear golden tone.
How the zinc content changes the color
The more copper a brass contains, the warmer and more golden it looks. As zinc rises, the color turns paler and slightly more silvery. The metal also gets harder.
This is why two brass pieces can look a little different side by side. A low zinc brass reads as rosy gold, almost like copper. A brass with around one third zinc has the bright yellow tone most people picture. A brass near 40 percent zinc looks lighter and cooler.
The finish changes the look too. Raw brass darkens as it reacts with air, while polished brass keeps its shine longer. Our guide to every brass finish shows how each one looks over time.
Every Yore fixture is made of solid brass, built to be used for decades and passed down.
Shop all solid brass →How is brass made?
Today, brass is made by melting copper and adding zinc to the molten metal. The liquid alloy is then poured into molds or cast into bars and sheets that are later rolled, drawn or machined.
The history is more surprising. For centuries, metalworkers did not use pure zinc at all. In a method called cementation, they heated copper with zinc ore so that zinc vapor soaked into the copper. Romans made brass this way and it stayed in use into the 1800s. Direct alloying with metallic zinc reached Europe in the 16th century and gradually replaced the old method.
Brass melts at roughly 1,650 to 1,720 degrees Fahrenheit depending on the recipe. That is low for a metal, which makes it easy to cast into detailed shapes such as the arms of a chandelier or the base of a lamp.
Brass, bronze and copper compared
Brass, bronze and copper all look warm, but they are different metals. Copper is a pure element. Brass is copper with zinc. Bronze is copper with tin as its main partner. For a side by side guide, see how to tell the difference between copper and brass.
| Metal | Made of | Color | Typical uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | Pure copper | Pinkish orange | Wiring, cookware, roofing |
| Brass | Copper and zinc | Golden yellow | Lighting, hardware, instruments |
| Bronze | Copper and tin | Deeper reddish brown | Sculpture, bells, bearings |
If you are not sure what a vintage piece is made of, color, weight and a magnet test help. Our guide on how to tell if brass is real covers six simple checks you can do at home.
Why brass suits light fixtures
Brass has been a favorite for lighting for well over a century. Its makeup explains why. Copper and zinc together create a metal that is easy to shape yet strong enough to carry the weight of glass shades and long arms.
- It is easy to form. Brass can be spun into domes, cast into curved arms and machined into fine threads.
- It does not rust. With no iron in the mix, brass tarnishes instead of rusting. Our guide on does brass rust explains the chemistry.
- It conducts heat well. That helps a fixture shed warmth from the bulb.
- It ages beautifully. Raw brass builds a soft patina that many people love.
It also suits almost any room. A brass pendant light warms a kitchen, a pair of brass wall sconces softens a hallway and a brass floor lamp adds glow to a reading corner.
Solid brass vs brass plated: what you are really buying
Knowing what brass is made of helps you spot the difference between solid brass and a brass colored coating. Solid brass is copper and zinc all the way through. Plated pieces are usually steel, zinc alloy or aluminum with a thin brass colored layer on top.
The difference shows up over time. Solid brass can be polished, left to age or refinished again and again because there is no coating to wear through. A plated piece can chip, flake or rust once the thin layer is gone.
Two quick clues help. Solid brass feels heavy for its size. A magnet will not stick to it, while it will grab plated steel. Every Yore piece is solid brass and comes in four finishes: unlacquered brass, polished brass, black and chrome.
How brass ages over time
Brass ages because the copper in it reacts with air, moisture and the oils on your hands. The surface slowly moves from bright gold to honey and then to a deep, warm brown. That layer is called a patina.
Unlacquered brass, our signature finish, has no clear coat, so it starts to change within weeks. Polished brass holds its shine longer. If you want an aged look right away, browse our designs inspired by the past and let the patina grow from there. To understand the living finish, read what is unlacquered brass. To care for it, see how to clean brass without removing the patina.
Love the look of old brass? Start with vintage inspired designs and let the patina grow.
Shop vintage-inspired brass →Shop solid brass lighting
Grove Brass ChandelierShop now →
Morningside Brass PendantShop now →
Beekman Brass Wall SconceShop now →
Irving Brass Dome Table LampShop now →
Charlton Brass Saucer PendantShop now →
Frequently asked questions
What is brass made out of?
Brass is made out of copper and zinc. Most brass is roughly two thirds copper and one third zinc, sometimes with a little lead or tin added.
Is brass a metal or an alloy?
Both. Brass is a metal alloy, which means it is a blend of copper and zinc rather than a single element like copper.
How is brass made?
Copper is melted and zinc is added to the molten metal. The alloy is then cast, rolled or drawn into the shapes needed.
Is brass conductive?
Yes. Brass conducts electricity and heat, though less well than pure copper. That is why it is used for electrical fittings and lamp parts.
Is brass magnetic?
No. Solid brass is not magnetic, so a magnet will not stick to it. If a magnet grabs a piece, it is likely brass plated steel.
What is made of brass?
Common brass items include door hardware, plumbing fittings, musical instruments, keys, zippers and light fixtures such as table lamps and chandeliers.
Does brass contain gold?
No. Brass contains no gold. Its golden color comes from copper and zinc. Have a question about a piece? Contact us anytime.
Keep exploring Yore: Brass Chandeliers · Brass Wall Sconces · Vintage-Inspired Brass Lighting · Does Brass Rust?
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