MODEL RELEASED. Copper bracelet. Middle-aged woman wearing a copper bracelet on her wrist. Copper is an essential trace mineral in the diet. It has important functions as components of enzymes and has roles in the development of the cardiovascular, skeletal and nervous systems. It is involved in synthesising haemoglobin, collagen and noradrenalin. Many people who suffer from arthritis in their joints benefit from wearing a copper bracelet. It is suggested that these people do not obtain sufficient copper from their diet, and instead absorb copper from the bracelet through the skin. The use of copper bracelets as a remedy dates back to 6000BC. They were used by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans.