Fossil Blu Luxury 33" 12-Gauge Hammered Copper Undermount/Drop-In Sink, Medium Patina, Incl Accs WHS1116AC

Features

• With 38.7 pounds of pure copper going into each of these sinks, Fossil Blu's copper makes for the thickest and strongest modern farmhouse sinks in the American market. We start with raw copper, mined in the Himalayan foothills. Smelting is done in Northern India where the copper is refined to 99.7% purity with 0.3% mineral phosphorous added for material strength.
• Shape: Large, functional, and beautiful, this sink not only benefits busy households, but it makes a statement.
• Dishwashing isn't as much of a chore when there is a sense of pride while standing at your sink. Whether you like to entertain guests have a large family or simply want as big of a sink as your kitchen plans allow, look no further. This sink boasts nearly 500 square inches of surface area, easily containing even your largest pots and pans.
• Production of each sink is done in three parts: Compression molding, hammering, and finishing. Starting with an 11-gauge copper sheet, a 30,000-pound hydraulic press forms the sink bowl, which after accounting for some extrusion, results in a 12-gauge copper bowl. As opposed to a welded bowl, our pressing process during this step ensures that the bowl is continuous, with no seams within the basin. Next, both the bowl is hand-hammered by skilled artisans. Their technique emphasizes randomness as they strike the metal with a ball-peen hammer in one hand and an iron cup in the other (bracing the copper from behind), specifically avoiding uniform "rows" of hammer marks. Last, the sink heads to the finishing room for cleaning and patina application.
• To achieve this finish, we first plate the stainless steel with copper before then applying a veil of black powder coating. After light brushing, the copper finish displays an antiqued look, which leans more toward dark tones than brighter copper tones. The darker overall appearance is done so intentionally to be neutral against the tones of the sink. This, along with the neutral appearance of our checkerboard grid, allows the sink to remain the focus, not the accessories. As a plated and powder-coated finish (as opposed to painted or vinyl-coated), it is incredibly durable. The removable grid protects your sink bottom and improves drainage, while the disposal flange is provided for your garbage disposal.
• This sink features a mottled finish, characteristic of the natural oxidation or patina of copper. Upon completion of production, we soak each sink in a non-toxic solution similar to household vinegar, which once removed and exposed to oxygen in the air, rapidly oxidizes the metal. At the correct time interval, we apply a torch to the metal to quickly dry the sink and neutralize the process. The umber-colored patina has been formed. Next, using a buffing machine with a mild scouring pad, we remove most of the patina from the ridges of the hammer marks, while the valleys retain most of the umber hues. Last, we apply non-toxic carnauba wax to seal the copper and patina. Given the natural and handmade processes involved, no two sink patinas are exactly alike. With some variance in mind, RGB value averages are as follows: Hammer ridges (brighter areas): R: 184, G: 142, B: 125. Hammer valleys (darker areas): R: 135, G: 90, B: 71. The higher red (R) and green (G) values in both the ridges and valleys indicate that the raw-copper tones and umber-colored-patina tones are consistent, just in varying shades of brightness. No jade/green copper oxide will be present on the basin interior or apron, and it will not form as your sink ages in your kitchen if you follow basic care and cleaning techniques.
• Drainage slope: 4°.
• Caring and cleaning: Fossil Blu sinks are easy to clean and will keep their beautiful, natural patina if you follow one simple maintenance technique: Applying carnauba wax once a month. Carnauba wax is a natural product harvested from palm fronds (developed by nature to protect palm trees during hurricanes) and is therefore safe to use in the kitchen. When applied once a month to your sink, water, food debris, and soaps will flow freely down the drain, thereby protecting the sink finish (patina) and significantly reducing hard-water deposits. We recommend Mothers (brand) "Step 3 Pure Brazilian Carnauba Wax", applied with a microfiber cloth. When applied, it does not make the sink pasty or shiny. Rather, the finish carries the same sheen but with more tonality to the colors. Copper and its patina are, of course, a natural metal and process. As such, the patina is considered to be a "living" finish that can change over time. Carnauba wax seals the patina, preventing said change, but should you forget to apply it for some time, it is recommended to avoid long-term exposure to foods containing acids. For example, if given long enough, the citric acid in ketchup can remove the patina. It is therefore recommended to clean and dry your sink as often as is realistic for your household, particularly if not using carnauba wax. Should any of this concern you, rest assured - if your sink loses some patina, there are two remedies: Time and liver of sulfur. In time, the patina will form over any raw copper exposed to air. So, the spot will darken again on its own. But should you not wish to wait, the liver of sulfur is a product used primarily in jewelry-making applications for rapidly oxidizing metals such as copper. Follow the dilution-strength and application directions on the bottle, and the exposed copper will be re-patinaed with near-instant results.
• Our factory in Northern India is run by generational artisans who have been producing copper works for over 50 years. Each sink we make is a multi-day project involving several artisans, each a master in their craft. From hammering to the TIG-welding to the hand-painting, Fossil Blu means an authentic piece, made with great care.
• Fossil Blu is a family-owned, American company with operations and customer service based in the U.S. Our products are designed here and manufactured by generational artisans in Israel, Turkey, India, Mexico, and Poland. We intentionally do not (and will not) source our products to factories in a country known for cheap products. We're proud of our reputation as a quality, customer-centric company that provides best-in-class products for the North American market. From our family to yours, thank you for considering Fossil Blu.