Oxidizers - Egg vs. Liver of Sulfur

Jewelry Discussion
1

G’ morning everybody! Science geek question(s) ahead,

I’m aware of the egg method, but does it work as well as Liver of
Sulfur (or Win Ox, etc.)? Is the reaction the same, just that the
chemical application is immediate whereas the egg exposure takes a
prolonged time? is there a layer of black actually being laid down on
the surface with either method? Can I use straight potassium sulfide

Thanks in advance as always for helping us new guys understand
stuff! Carol

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    I'm aware of the egg method, but does it work as well as Liver
of Sulfur (or Win Ox, etc.)? Is the reaction the same, just that
the chemical application is immediate whereas the egg exposure
takes a prolonged time? is there a layer of black actually being
laid down on the surface with either method? Can I use straight
potassium sulfide from my lab at work!? Is this one for John
Burgess?

G’day Carol, et al. You rattled my cage? Well the sulphide based
method of blackening silver simply converts the silver surface into
silver sulphide, no matter if it is done with eggs (yuck) or liver
of sulphur (potassium polysulphide) from the lab at work (don’t get
caught stealing it or lime sulphur (anti fungicide for bushes) from
the garden shop. Or, from living in a city with polluted atmosphere.
The layer of silver sulphide is only microns thick, and it will soon
wear off. But it will last well in grooves, etc. Incidentally, the
sulphides mentioned are unstable over time in the presence of air and
light, leaving flakes of elemental sulphur and a slightly acid
liquid. Never come across Win Ox

Cheers for now,
JohnB of Mapua, Nelson NZ