Stuff that turns silver black?

Jewelry Discussion
1

Hi,

I know there is a substance that is used for coloring the background
space on relief work black, but I don’t know what it is or how to
apply it? I want to do a keyhole piece and blacken the inside of the
hole to give the illusion of depth. Can anyone tell me what the black
stuff is and how to use it?

Thanks,
Augest Derenthal
Cry Baby Designs

2

There are several things…liver of sulpher, more light gray and
like real tarnish. Black max from rio is an acid that turns silver
black and gold if you use a steel aplicator. We tend to use black
enamel paint form the hard ware store, comes in matt or gloss. I’m
sure there are many other products. I would like to find a good
patination class. Or an inexpensive book.

Candy

3

I have found that “Liver of Sulfur” is the easiest and least caustic
of the different options available. You can get it from most
suppliers.

4

Hi, Augest –

It is liver of sulphur. You can get it from Rio Grande (and I
imagine about any other similar place. You can get it either made up
into a solultion, or as the “raw” liver of sulfur to make up your own
solution. The latter may be preferable, if you work with silver,
because with a more dilute solution you can get some nice browns and
even golds. You just paint it on (preferably hot) with a brush or, in
your case, perhaps a toothpick would work better, if it is a small
hole. After it gets to the color/darkness you want, you just spray it
with an ammonia solution, which stops the action.

Margaret

5

Hi,

After it gets to the color/darkness you want, you just spray it
with an ammonia solution, which stops the action.

I’m just starting to work with Liver of Sulphur - many thanks for
the tip about using ammonia to stop the action. I’m now wondering how
to stop the new colour/darkness from rubbing off - I don’t want to
use a varnish - is there any other way of making the finish secure?

Judy

6

Pro-Craft makes a product called “Silver Oxidizer” that uses
alkaline sulfides and produces a rich black or bluish black/grey
(esp. when the piece is warmed up) that is more to my taste. Taste?
It comes in a liquid form and lasts a fairly long time.

7

Please explain to me that after making something from silver why
paint it black? would it not be cheaper to use copper or brass?

Sam Trump.

8

Ron Youngs videos on Hot and cold patinia’s for bronze,brass and
copper. He also has a book or books on it. Including one on steel
patinia’s. Here is a web based video rental. http://smartflix.com
have used them and service is first rate.

been there, done that !
glen

9 
I'm now wondering how to stop the new colour/darkness from rubbing
off - I don't want to use a varnish - is there any other way of
making the finish secure?

Yes, use Butchers bowling alley wax,

Sam

10 
Please explain to me that after making something from silver why
paint it black? would it not be cheaper to use copper or brass?

Copper or brass will react with people’s skin. Customers will pay
more for silver. Its a nicer metal to work with. Because we usually
aren’t turning the whole piece black but using the patina to add
depth and variation of tones/values in the finished piece.

hth
Carla

11 
is there any other way of making the finish secure?

Buff it with a dry brass brush.

M E T A L W E R X
School for Jewelry and the Metalarts
50 Guinan St.
Waltham, MA 02451
781 891 3854
www.metalwerx.com