I wondered about this. I wondered if copper products (and now bronze and brass) would develop a patina. I thought if I ever used it I would incorporate the patina color (aqua turquise?) into the room so it would enhance rather than detract. But what if you discovered this after the fact? Jan, other than cleaning as described, how would a person incorporate the color into the scheme after the fact. I mean there's the usual: towels, soaps, and other knick knacks. You're the pro, Jan. What would you do? Ha! I should get a t-shirt, "What would Jan do?" All HOUZZers would recognize a fellow Houzzer!

You won't love my answer. I don't love ORB. I love whatever is easy to maintain, or I accept the consequences ( like marble etching in a kitchen is still beautiful marble ) of a material more difficult.

I've never found a chrome faucet in a bath difficult. Nor stainless in a kitchen. I think matte black is totally cool.......and I DO worry on what I may think of it in five or ten years. I've used my share: )

The chances of me getting any client to go at a ORB anything with a paste of lemon juice and baking soda is zero. The cleaning help would not be happy with the project, either.

To me, ORB is best where you accept its "flaw" , as in a stucco European flavor, stone or stucco home. A rustic cabin style lakeside.... Where I would let it do.......what it DOES.

Thanks. That makes total sense. I am embarking on quality bathroom renovations for the first time. One in progress, and three others in planning. I have had chrome all my life. I think I chose stainless steel for the bathroom in progress, because the chrome on a current bathroom is peeling back a razor sharp edge I can't safely clean anymore. Must be cheap quality? Anyway, I appreciate your advice to steer clear. I'm too busy to clean to that level.

I can't think of a bath where I'd regret chrome. Brizo....Delta ...Kohler..... Moen etc. From a dedicated plumbing supply, local, and that's a topic that will generate a big box battle I'd rather not have : )

I was replacing fixtures with knobs and choosing ones with a single lever for a visit from my mom (arthritis). My plumber knew we didn't know if we would stay in this house or not. I approved "any old thing" thinking even the cheapest would be ok. Simple tastes. I learned that I actually do have a bottom threshold. It's ok, because today we plan to nearly gut the upstairs to go from 4 bedrooms 2 baths to 3 ensuites. But I did learn a lesson. :-)

I appreciate your explanation and cleaning tip. I think I will live with it a bit and see if it gets out of control. I don't mind the blue per se, and I really love the orb so it may be worthwile to me. We'll see if I have regrets in the future! Thanks again.

It is beautiful, isn't it... Sigh...

Yep. I'm less inclined to need perfection than many others so maybe I'll be able to tolerate it. If it changes exponentially, I may be a cautionary tale.

I love the color of bronze so decided to read more. Darn! Now I'm confused again. I read that natural bronze changes color to blue-green because it's a copper alloy...knew that. BUT, I read that oul-rubbed bronze is a fake finish that looks like bronze but has the advantage of not changing color. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Maybe the little nozzles in this shower head are the real thing or plain copper, while the rest of the showerhead is the oil rubbed bronze?

Under materials its says "brass". I assume that's the innards because it says that for all the finishes. I'm not much help lol.

ORB has never been a color I would choose for anything . yes you will need to learn to live with the choice I think the idea of introducing the patine in sone accents could work

Linste22, I like your calm! And I like the look of bronze, copper, brass. They're all pretty to me.

You have hard water deposits with copper added for color. Unfortunately In my region we know we have hard water so my plumbing showroom doesn’t show showerheads like this, they only show them that have Teflon nipples that can be cleaned easily. I suspect this would happen regardless of finish based on your water. I would look at replacing with a different manufacturers shower head.

I have used just straight vinegar in a baggie tied around showerhead to soak these sorts of mineral deposits. The acid loosens them so they scrub off with old toothbrush or scrubbby sponge. I m not sure if it would etch the ORB over time but it's got to be milder than lime away or CLR.

Beautiful bath with or without patina. I wonder if some product like Rain X would slow thew build up.