Removing Liver-of-Sulphur

Jewelry Discussion
1

What’s the best way to remove blotchy Liver of Sulphur, short of
sanding it off? They are components for a sculpture made out of both
copper and red brass. I did some pieces yesterday that came out
streaky and inconsistent in color. I was going for a nice dark
red-brown on the copper and a dark gold on the brass. I want to
re-do them. Will Liver of Sulphur come off in pickle? Since they are
part brass I don’t want to have to remove the pink cast on the brass
again. That was quite enough work the first time. I know about the
hydrogen peroxide pickle business but that leaves quite a mess too:
I usually sand instead. If the pickle is used cold will there still
be a plating reaction on the brass? I could always just hold the
copper parts in the pickle and try not to wet the brass.Any
suggestions?

2 
What's the best way to remove blotchy Liver of Sulphur, short of
sanding it off?

Tarnex brand, or other tarnish removers based on Thiorea (spelling?)
will do it.

Peter

3 
What's the best way to remove blotchy Liver of Sulphur, short of
sanding it off?

It comes off silver by torching (heating) it

4

I’m not sure whether this will be feasible for you, but gently
heating the piece with a torch will also burn off the LOS. Any
darkened remnants will easily brass brush away after pickling.

Karen Goeller

5

If you have to do this often, investing in an ionic cleaner would be
worth it. It removes LOS in less than a minute and leaves it shiny
white, without damaging pearls nearby. Torching it, even gently,
cannot be done as safely (to the piece) – there’s sill a dull, gray
finish (which may be what some people like). When I receive back
pieces that are badly tarnished from galleries, I clean them with my
ionic cleaner and then re-patina based on what seems to be selling.

Elizabeth

1 Like
6

I as well believe the ionic cleaner is like a controller
electro-cleaner. It will brighten and remove dirt, but not the
scratches, as well safe on all stones. Great item for home as well.

Andy " The Tool Guy" Kroungold
Tool Sales / Technical
Stuller Inc
Phone 800-877-7777 ext. 94194
Fax 337-262-7791

7

Thank you soooo much! You Save my jewels… and my nerves from a meltdown!