Chemical makeup of alum

Jewelry Discussion
1

Hello, I was wondering if someone could enlighten me as to the
actual chemical makeup of alum, I understood it to be aluminium
potassium sulphate, and if this is so, does anyone know how to obtain
it in Australia? I can readily purchase large amounts of aluminium
sulphate from agricultural suppliers, however when I look for
aluminium potassium sulphate it becomes laboratory grade and equates
to about $40 per 500gms.

Thanks for any help I can receive.
Cheers Kathleen O’Neill.

2

Use what you have !! it is just an acid sulfate salt – no magic
for your probable application.

jesse

3

Hi Kathy

I was wondering if someone could enlighten me as to the actual
chemical makeup of alum, I understood it to be aluminium potassium
sulphate, and if this is so, does anyone know how to obtain

How much do you require? I’m in Oz and I just pop into my local
pharmacy and purchase it there, nowhere near that price.

Lawrence
www.sabushkadesign.com

4

Hi Kathy,

I understood it to be aluminium potassium sulphate, and if this is
so, does anyone know how to obtain it in Australia? I can readily
purchase large amounts of aluminium sulphate from agricultural
suppliers, however when I look for aluminium potassium sulphate it
becomes laboratory grade and equates to about $40 per 500gms.

I don’t know about OZ, but in the US, Alum is available in most
grocery stores. It’s usually found in the spice section in small
containers. It’s used for preserving things like pickles etc.

Dave

5

Alum is a class of compounds, but commonly the name refers to
potassium aluminum sulfate, as you said. It’s widely used in making
pickles, and I would expect your local grocery to carry it, in small
quantities. If they have a canning and pickling section, look there.
Otherwise try the spices section.

Al Balmer
Sun City, AZ

6

To Katherine

Any chemist, alum BP, a few dollars for 100gms. Useful for boiling
out broken drill bits in a concentrated solution, better than acid!

Or to stop children sucking their fingers. NO!

David
jewellerydavidcruickshank.com.au