Anodized black chain

Jewelry Discussion
1

I would like to know if one can buy anodized (black) chains, or if it
is possible to make one. I am looking for a black snake chain. Will it
wear OK? Any suggestions? Thanks, Bill Navran

2 
  I would like to know if one can buy anodized (black) chains, or
if it is possible to make one. I am looking for a black snake chain.
Will it wear OK? Any suggestions?

G’day. Anodizing is commonly only applicable to aluminium; the
surface of the metal is converted to a layer of aluminium oxide which
is porous and may be dyed any colour including black. If the
necklace was made of aluminium the colour would still only last a few
months. Just look at your frying pan lid

Silver can also only be surface treated - sulphiding or perhaps the
application of gun blue, but neither would last more than a few weeks
on a necklace. If anyone knows of a black metal alloy I would be
delighted to learn of it. Niello doesn’t count - it is too brittle
for anything but infill to engravings or other depressions in metal

Blackening gold isn’t possible - except in very low carat gold
containing much copper, or copper plated gold and even then it isn’t
the gold which is blackened; it is the copper which is blackened.

It is possible to blacken platinum - but the process is very
difficult (Other than copper plating it!) and again, it would only be
the surface that was treated. Sorry mate, you’ve had it! Cheers,

	John Burgess;   @John_Burgess2 of Mapua Nelson NZ
3

i made a chain using anodized titanium,…i made it between blue and
purple, but you can get it to greyish black…but i dont think black
black… molly

4

On that note of getting a black snake chain. John’s right, can’t get
a good black patina on gold, however, if you are going to plate, Rio
Grande carries a “black rhodium” plating solution, as do a few other
suppliers. Plating chains is difficult, sometimes. Each link in a
chain is an opportunity for a poor electrical connection. If you can
keep the chain taut, as with a weight on the bottom, you’ll have
better luck.

David L. Huffman

5

There are plating systems that lay down a layer of nickel (or is it
chromium, I forget?) consisting of very fine needle shaped crystals,
perpendicular to the surface. Their size and orientation makes the
surface jet black. It is used for solar collectors. Sadly though its
unlikely to be durable enough to last on a chain. May be useful
elsewhere though. Sorry, cannot direct you to references, you’re on
your own. –

Kevin (NW England, UK)