oxidising silver-home remedies

Does any one know any simple less toxic way for oxidising silver to a black
colour?
Thankyou
Tamara

Tamara wrote:
Does any one know any simple less toxic way for oxidising silver to a black
colour?
Thankyou
Tamara





Less toxic than what?

Abrasha
http://www.abrasha.com

On Sun, 22 May 2005 18:43:19 -0700, in ¤õ "Tamara" wrote:

Does any one know any simple less toxic way for oxidising silver to a black
colour?
Thankyou
Tamara



Tamara,

The classic chemical used, liver of sulphur, while smelly and all, isn't actually
all that toxic. Certainly no more so than many other household chemicals you have
under your sink as cleaners. Of course, you shouldn't drink the stuff, but it's
pretty safe to use. The smell, by the way, is the same as found in rotten eggs,
and is a clue to how you can do this without buying the chemical. Just enclose
your item with some egg yolk for a while. The yolks give off enough sulphur
compounds to oxidize your silver. May take a while, but will do it.

If you want a color that's more of a smutty dirty grey, rather than the classic
blue;/black tones, household bleach (much more dangerous and toxic than liver of
sulphur) will do that.

Note that of the commercial prepared silver oxidizing liquids, there are two main
types. Some are just basically similar to liver of sulphur. Others contain
sulphur compounds, but also contain hydrochloric and teluric (sp?) acids. These
latter will work on gold as well as silver, have a much longer shelf life, and are
indeed quite toxic materials if ingested, or in breathing concentrated fumes
(because of the acid fumes). The simpler silver oxidizers are reasonably safe.

You may also be able to find, in garden supply stores, garden sulphur liquid, used
as a fungicide for your roses, etc. That works just fine, and is chemically very
similar to liver of sulphur, but with a longer shelf life.

Peter