Knowledge Vault
The Most Frequently Asked Question Surrounding Copper
Why Copper? Isn’t gold or silver more valuable?
- Because value isn’t just price – it’s purpose, history, and future potential. Copper is the first metal of civilisation, used in trade, weaponry, architecture, medicine and technology for over 10,000 years. It built empires and now powers the digital and green revolutions. At Ingots We Trust, we believe copper is not only the precious – it’s essential. We’re here to elevate it to its rightful place on the throne.
What is an ArtBar, and how is it different from bullion?
An ArtBar is not a generic, mass-produced cast.
Each IWT ArtBar is:
- Hand-poured by British artisans
- Formed in an exclusive trapezoid shape but with an Ingots We Trust twist or two including inversion (like the traditional gold bar)
- Features unique “crinkly bottoms” – natural cooling ripples from hand-smelting
- Polished to a mirror finish, sealed with a protective lacquer
- Hand-stamped with hallmark and detail markings
- Numbered, certificated, and limited
It’s not just copper. It’s craftsmanship you can hold.
What does 24K Cu mean?
- 24K Cu means .9999 purity – or 99.99% pure copper. It’s part of the KPS™ (Karat Purity Scale) system – a new standard we helped pioneer to bring clarity and consistency to the precious metal purity across copper, silver, gold, platinum and more.
What is KPS™?
KPS™ stands for Karat Purity Scale – a universal purity grading system inspired by the karat ratings of gold but adapted for all the precious metals.
It allows buyers to understand purity at a glance:`
- 24K Cu = .9999 pure copper
- 24K Au = .9999 pure gold
- 24K Ag = .9999 pure silver
We proudly stamp every IWT ArtBar with its KPS™ rating and certification.
What are the unique Ingots We Trust “crinkly bottoms”?
They’re the textured, rippled underside of our ArtBars – created during the natural cooling process when molten copper is hand-poured into moulds. They’re proof of true artisanal smelting – not machine casting. No two bars are ever the same.
Are the bars protected? Can I touch them? Why aren’t they plastic wrapped?
- Yes. All IWT ArtBars are coated and protected with a proprietary clear lacquer that protects the surface without diminishing its lustre.You can handle, admire, and even display your bar without gloves – no vacuum sealing required. Our Artbars don’t need plastic wrapping.
Are these bars investment grade?
- Yes – and more. They’re a store of wealth, a legacy, and a work of art. Copper is fast becoming the metal of the green and digital revolutions. Our bars hold both economic and emotional value.
Where are your Artbars made?
- In the UK – by truly talented British artisans using copper rooted in Amlwch, Anglesey, Sheffield, and other centres of British metallurgy. We are proudly British, proudly copper, and passionately independent. We celebrate the skills of the generations in classic production methods as well as embrace some modern technology too.
Are these Artbars suitable as gifts?
- Absolutely. Birthdays, achievements, rites of passage – a copper ArtBar is a unique, symbolic, and the precious gift unlike anything else. A gift of wealth, warmth, and wonder.
Do you have anything for younger collectors?
- Yes, coming soon – our Bullionaires Club™ is an interactive, fun, and educational programme for young investors and future copper custodians. We believe that our youth will be inspired and amazed by Metals and their intrinsic and aesthetic value and we can encourage the young stackers to build their wealth and knowledge and more. Exciting times ahead.
Where can I buy your products?
- Our official website – www.ingotswetrust.com
- Our eBay store
- Select exhibitions and pop-up events
- Soon: physical locations in Amlwch, London, and heritage sites
Can I see reviews?
Yes – visit our Trustpilot profile and social media community. We welcome reviews and love seeing where our ArtBars travel too and welcome photos and stories and all your wonderful comments. Leave your own review at https://uk.trustpilot.com/evaluate/ingotswetrust.com
Do you recycle scrap copper?
Yes. Soon, through our “Your Scrap Refined into Art” service, you’ll be able to send us your copper for transformation into an IWT ArtBar.
What is CommomSensus™?
It’s our proprietary mindset and trademark – a rejection of outdated industry assumptions and a celebration of intelligent, disruptive clarity. We don’t follow tradition blindly – we build new truths from it.
What makes IWT Design different from any other metal brand?
We are a lifestyle brand celebrating and focusing exclusively focused on copper, elevating it to the throne it deserves. Our mission is part artistry, part education, part rebellion.
Is Copper really the precious metal?
Yes. While not officially classified as such in traditional bullion markets, copper is the precious by use, by history, and by future demand. It’s been undervalued for too long.
Why don’t you mimic gold or silver?
Because we don’t have to. Copper stands on its own. We celebrate its character – its colour, challenges, and charisma.
What is a “Custodian of Copper”?
An Ingots We Trust collector isn’t just an owner – they’re a keeper of legacy. We believe everyone who owns one of our bars is part of a cultural and economic movement.
How should I display my Artbar?
Surprise us – send us your photos and show us your style and personality and we will feature it on our website and social media and will be running regular competitions for prizes and announce winners.
Is copper difficult to work with?
Very. We fondly call Copper a “naughty” metal because it isn’t easy to work with and understand – it’s melting point is 1085 degrees Celsius, highly conductive, oxidation-prone, and temperamental. That’s why most brands avoid it. But we embrace its complexity and tame it with mastery. Our artisans have learned over the decades to work with it to
Do your Artbars change colour over time?
Not with our proprietary lacquer. But untreated copper does naturally patina – a beautiful green colour known as Verdi Gris – a process some collectors adore. Some of our future products will showcase the various stages of Copper in all its glory. Watch this space.
What’s the story behind the “Copper Lady”?
She’s our tribute to the women of Amlwch – the “Copper Ladies” who worked tirelessly, hammering and sorting ore by hand, often in brutal conditions. Sculpted in 24K copper, she represents strength, dignity, and resilience and the beauty of these feminine creatures who sacrificed much for mining Copper.
What’s the Amlwch Penny Token?
It’s a redeemable copper token, inspired by the tokens historically used to pay workers when the London Mint ran out of money and local industries had to find a way to pay their workers.. Today, it can be used in IWT hubs and select towns.
Are your Artbars legal tender?
No – they’re not coins. But they are certified, valued, and collectible. A treasure in the true
Do you plan to go global?
We already are – our Artbars have been shipped worldwide and attracted Copper enthusiasts everywhere. We are actively building new partnerships in Japan, the US, and across Europe, with international shipping already live.
Do you offer corporate or gift editions?
Yes – our bars make ideal commemorative or executive gifts. Custom stamping and branding are available for corporate partners.
What makes the Ingots We Trust bars so tactile and emotional?
It’s the warmth of copper. The weight. The ripple. The glow. The knowledge that it was hand-poured, hand-finished, and meant to last forever. There are endless reasons – we’d love to understand what you think too. Write in and let us know
What is “Enjoy the Glow While It Grows”?
It’s our philosophy. You don’t have to hide your wealth. Touch it. Hold it. Admire it. Let it grow in value, and in meaning.
More Knowledge on Why KPS™ Matters?
The Karat Purity Scale™ isn’t just about numbers – it’s about making purity clear, consistent, and comparable for everyone in the precious metals world.
The Precious Metals – Consistency
A universal scale means less confusion when explaining purity to customers and suppliers.
Consumers – Clarity
Shoppers can instantly compare purity across metals without decoding karats, fineness, or percentages.
Traders – Transparency
KPS™ enables straightforward valuations across markets, reducing misinterpretations.
Collectors – Reference
Historical and modern pieces can be compared on the same 0–24 scale.
- Applying the CommomSesus™
A Smarter, Fairer Standard for Metals
CommomSensus™ challenges outdated prestige and tradition-for-tradition’s-sake. It replaces bias with clarity – grounding value in evidence, transparency, and fairness. On this level playing field, every metal is measured by the same data-led standards, restoring copper to its rightful standing alongside gold and silver.
- Gold → 24K, 18K ,14K, 9K
- Silver → .999, .925, .500
- Copper → 9999, C101