Suggestions for darkening gold?

Jewelry Discussion
1

I recently got a commission to create a wedding band with a
blackened finish, a slight bit of gold showing through in
"distressed" areas. I have used Santa Fe Black on 9 kt. gold and not
had any problems, but this is 14 kt. and is NOT taking the color.
Does anyone have any suggestions for darkening this ring?

Thank you!
Jennie

2

Jennie- Try adding ammonia to liver of sulfur. The solution should be
warm as well as the ring. It’s stinky, but works. I have found that
that will blacken 14 kt.

Jo Haemer
www.timothywgreen.com

3 
I recently got a commission to create a wedding band with a
blackened finish, a slight bit of gold showing through in
"distressed" areas. I have used Santa Fe Black on 9 kt. gold and
not had any problems, but this is 14 kt. and is NOT taking the
color. Does anyone have any suggestions for darkening this ring?

Have you tried heating the ring then applying the blackening? I use
stuff I can’t remember the name because it has worn off the bottle
but it is made by Horizon Tool and sold by IJS and Thunderbird I
believe. It’s manufactured locally by my friend who is a very
experienced silversmith. It’s nasty stuff (toxic and acidic) so use
it cautiously with lots of ventilation but it works on 14k as well
as silver.

Rick Copeland
Silversmith and Lapidary Artisan
Rocky Mountain Wonders
Colorado Springs, Colorado
rockymountainwonders.com

4

Jennie,

If that Santa Fe Black is a tellurium and HCl mix use a steel
applicator (broken saw blade). Another option is to copper flash
plate (old pickle + iron) and use liver of sulphur.

Jeff
Demand Designs
Analog/Digital Modelling & Goldsmithing
http://www.gmavt.net/~jdemand