If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
How do I Oxidize Silver?
I have been looking to no avail for a substance called "liver of sulfur"
used to oxidize portions of silver jewelry. If you know where I can find this, please let me know. PEACE, Martha McIntosh |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
On , in ˜
crafts.jewelry Martha McIntosh wrote: I have been looking to no avail for a substance called "liver of sulfur" used to oxidize portions of silver jewelry. If you know where I can find this, please let me know. PEACE, Martha McIntosh where are you located Martha? In the U.S.A., at least, virtually any jewelry tools supplier can get it for you. I'd imagine in the U.K. or other parts of the E.U., if you can find a jewelry tools and supplies dealer, they could also obtain it for you. The raw chemical (a somewhat imprecise/ impure mix of mostly potassium polysulphides and potassium thiosulphate) may be special order from smaller firms, but is generally easily available. Just as effective are various liquid products usually sold as silver oxidizers, made from the similar chemicals, though usually not exactly liver of sulphur, in order to get a longer shelf life. Usually less expensive than the basic dry chemical. Note that liver of sulphur has a distinct "shelf life", since it agressively attracts and then slowly reacts with and is degraded by, moisture, and if the container is not tightly sealed, (and sometimes even when you think it is), it degrades into other compounds that are no longer very effective at oxidizing silver, Water solutions you make of the chemical to oxidize silver will have also an only short shelf life (a couple of days, generally). Because of this, purchasing small quantities may be a wiser purchase, or the prepared oxidizing liquids, for the same reason. They too, often have a limited shelf life, but it's usually somewhat longer than your home mixed solutions (a year or so), and as the product costs less in this form, less goes to waste. Some of the silver oxiziing liquds are made with more aggressive chemcials (telluric (spelling?) acid, and hydrochloric acid, among others). more toxic, don't degrade over time, and give a stronger blacker color on silver. In the U.S., some firms that can get the raw chemical, or the preparations, for you include Rio Grande, Gesswein, Frei and Borel, and many others. A good alternative to liver of sulphur, that may last longer in storage, cost less, and be more easily available, and which gives the exact same color range on silver, is a garden supply chemical called "lime sulphur:" Often sold as a liquid used for treating various plant diseases (I think it's a fungicide, though I'm not sure). it would be sold where gardening supplies are sold. Peter Rowe |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Martha McIntosh wrote:
I have been looking to no avail for a substance called "liver of sulfur" used to oxidize portions of silver jewelry. If you know where I can find this, please let me know. PEACE, Martha McIntosh I get it at my local jewelry supply house. If you don't have a 'local' you can always order from Rio Grande (www.riogrande.com) or any of the other on-line suppliers. --RC |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Hi,
Never tried it myself but this article does make sense: "Oxidize Sterling Silver Naturally" by Pat Greer http://www.home-jewelry-business-suc...ng-silver.html I am using the commercial compound. Sarit. http://sarit-jewelry.com Martha McIntosh wrote: I have been looking to no avail for a substance called "liver of sulfur" used to oxidize portions of silver jewelry. If you know where I can find this, please let me know. PEACE, Martha McIntosh |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Rick Cook wrote: Martha McIntosh wrote: I have been looking to no avail for a substance called "liver of sulfur" used to oxidize portions of silver jewelry. If you know where I can find this, please let me know. PEACE, Martha McIntosh Go with Peter's suggestion. I use a "dormant spray" liquid with calcium polysulfide 28.7% or lime sulfur. I've had it for 4 years now in it's original container and it's still going strong. I mix it with very hot water (lots of water, a little sulfur) and it does a great job. Carla |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
pure silver jewellery | boomkap | Jewelry | 0 | January 9th 05 01:49 AM |
Experimenting with GOLD and SILVER | Dennis Bicknell | Jewelry | 0 | August 24th 04 04:44 AM |
Sterling silver question (.925) | porkchops | Jewelry | 7 | January 24th 04 06:58 PM |
High Mercury Content in Silver Bracelet | KJ | Jewelry | 8 | December 23rd 03 04:57 AM |
Bali Silver -- What's the Deal? | saucy | Beads | 16 | August 21st 03 03:21 PM |