Stabilizing Patinas

Jewelry Discussion
1

I love the range of colors you can get from using a mild solution of
Liver of Sulphur but apparently they are not stable and need to be
coated. Most of the coatings are high gloss. I would like to coat my
pieces with a product that leaves a more natural or semi-matte
surface. Any recommendations for this purpose and result?

2 
I would like to coat my pieces with a product that leaves a more
natural or semi-matte surface. Any recommendations for this
purpose and result?

Try leaving your surface as you would like it to appear before you
patinate it. I frequently use LOS on textured, unpolished
surfaces…it’s not the LOS which is polishing the metal. Also, you
can leave the piece submerged in LOS for much longer than you
normally do, and a rough, broken surface will appear on sterling,
looking like peeling, rusted steel.

Matthew Crawford
www.MatthewDesigns.com

3

Grace and Tom:

I use a micro-crystalline wax called Renaissance Wax to stabilize
liver of sulfur iridescent patinas. This wax is used by museum
conservators because it is hard once dry and does not show
fingerprints. A light coat of wax applied gently with a brush, allow
to dry, and then a light buffing with a soft bristle brush on the
flexshaft gives a warm glow to the patina. I’ve even used it on dark
liver of sulfur patinas to take away the chalky grey look and give
the patina a deep moist look. There are a few necklaces on the
gallery page of my website you can check out to see the effect (Gem
Blossom, Black and White Harmony, and Midnight Rendevous).

Cynthia Clearwater
Touchstone Jewelry Design
Au_smith@comcast.net
www.touchstonejewelrydesign.com

4

Hi

Would Renaissance (sp?) wax and buffing work? I finished a sterling
piece with this at least 6 months ago and it still looks the same as
it did.

Good Luck
Kim

5

Try Renaissance Wax, which gives a semi-gloss finish and is pretty
durable, or use Syncrylac, which is a matte finish. Permalac is the
high gloss finish. Both of the synthetic lacquers have UV inhibitors

6 
Try Renaissance Wax, which gives a semi-gloss finish and is pretty
durable,

Anyone have a recommended source for Renaissance wax then?

Cheers
Norah

7

PMCSupply.com has it. But personally I use Butcher’s Bowling Alley
Wax. Renaissance Wax is 7 bucks an ounce, Butcher’s is $ 10 per
pound.

8 
Anyone have a recommended source for Renaissance wax then?

Try Dennis Blaine at http://www.restorationproduct.com

Regards,
Per

9

Hi Norah

Anyone have a recommended source for Renaissance wax then?

Try Woodcraft. It’s a company that sells supplies for woodworkers. I
used this wax on some silver about a year ago and the silver still
looks good. I just looked, you can order the wax right from the
website woodcraft.com

Good Luck
Kim

10 
Anyone have a recommended source for Renaissance wax then?

metaliforous carries renaissance wax. and some hardware stores.

11

I have now tried Permalac, Staybrite and Clearcoat on my LOS pieces
and all lacquers dull the color to the point where you can barely see
it. It just looks brown. Does the wax do the same thing or does it
keep the color nice and vivid?

12 
PMCSupply.com has it. But personally I use Butcher's Bowling Alley
Wax. Renaissance Wax is 7 bucks an ounce, Butcher's is $ 10 per
pound.

Yeah, I know Renaissance is expensive, but (1) it works and (2) a
little bit goes a long way. I bought some about 7 years ago,
generously gave some away to a couple of buddies, had students using
it, and I’ve still got a lot left.

13

Hi Grace,

Have you tried waiting a couple of hours until the LOS patina on the
pieces dries before applying? I use Renaissance Wax and find it
vital that I wait until the patina has set/cured first.

Wax will still darken the color somewhat, but not as badly as if
it’s applied right away.

Tracy

14

The wax I use (Butcher’s) works fine with LOS. It stays evenly
black/dark grey, whatever the depth of your oxidation.

Brian Corll
Brian Corll, Inc.
1002 East Simpson Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

15 
Anyone have a recommended source for Renaissance wax then?

A chain of woodworking stores called Woodcrafters is another source.
They have 7 oz. cans.

Brian Corll
Brian Corll, Inc.
1002 East Simpson Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055