I’m hoping someone can help me with a problem I recently encountered
with Italian Snake Chain (1.6mm). I used the chain as a soldered
component to a necklace. After soldering, I put the pendant and the
soldered-on chain into the pickle pot. I had been working with the
pendant portion for a few hours, and attaching the chain was the last
step. Therefore, I had used the pickle previously that day with
typical good results, nothing unsual. Imagine my shock after
removing the now soldered chain and pendant from the pot to find
everything coated pink (I assume a copper oxide?). Thinking I may
have somehow contaminated the pickle, I threw in a sterling ring
band to see if it too would become discolored. It did not at all!
In fact, nothing I’ve used in the pickle since has become discolored.
I am assuming the chain was the culprit. What would have caused
this? I had to use H2O2/vineagar pickle to remove the copper from the
chain and then polish like crazy to get rid of the grey cast caused
by the H2O2/vineagar. I’ve purchased several of these chains from a
reputable supplier, and I have contacted them, but they are not
jewelers and were clueless. Thanks for your help.
Cathy Flory
Owner/Designer
JEWELWORKS
www.jewel-works.com