Tumbler tint silver light goldish

Jewelry Discussion
1

Okay, back to the tumblers… I tumbled my sterling castings in my
stainless steel rotary tumbler and they came out looking like they
were lightly gold plated. They all have this light goldish sheen to
them.

Any suggestions on why this happened and how to stop it from
happening again, and probably most importantly- how do I fix the
effected castings?

thanks all!

Amery Carriere Designs
Romantic Jewelry with an Edge
www.amerycarriere.com

2

Hi Amery!

Okay, back to the tumblers.... I tumbled my sterling castings in
my stainless steel rotary tumbler and they came out looking like
they were lightly gold plated. They all have this light goldish
sheen to them.

Could be your stainless steel shot has developed a film of the
insides of your tumbler-- whenever we get less than perfectly white
on our silver- Coke-not diet Coke- but sugar filled Coke. It’s a
great de-greaser- and shines up that stainless steel shot just like
new. I usually run a small bottle through- then rinse 7-10 times
with water-just keep filling your tumbler w/cold water as it’s
running- letting it drain- until no more brown coke bubbles- and then
once or twice more to make sure all the coke is gone. It’s good for
your windshield wipers too…

Regards-
Rona

3 
They all have this light goldish sheen to them.

I noticed that also one day, and came to the conclusion that I had
probably contaminated the water of the tumbler with silver blackener
(lime sulphur, or similar). Replacing the liquid will solve this. If
there is a slight discoloration from tumbling (like a grey metal
tint given off by the metal shot from eg over tumbling) a pickle dip
will solve/correct that.

Peter Deckers
New Zealand

4

Amery,

What did you use for burnishing medium? (dish soap, burnishing
compound, etc.) And are you certain they were completely free of
pickle and investment residue when you put them in?

Had you done any tumbling in abrasive media prior to the steel? Did
you wash the items (and the tumbler barrel) thoroughly prior to
changing media?

As to how to fix it, I would be willing to bet that it’s a very thin
layer that will polish off when you do your final polishing. Have you
tried that on a piece yet?

Karen Goeller
No Limitations Designs
Hand-made, one-of-a-kind jewelry
www.nolimitations.com

5

In cleaning steel shot in the tumbler with Coke, I let the can stand
around awhile until most of the fizz is gone, then pour the liquid
into the tumbler and let it do its work. The shot comes out just as
clean without the fizz bubbling all over and creating a mess. You
still have to rinse it, but not as much. Try it.

Dee

6

Hi Gang,

Another good product that can be used to clean steel shot when it
gets grungy is Draino. I use the granular type. Add about a
tablespoonful per pound of shot. If your shot doesn’t have much water
on it, add enough water so it’s about 1/2 under water. Turn the
tumbler on & let it run for a hour or so. After stopping it, pour the
liquid down the drain & rinse the shot & the bowl/barrel with warm
water. Pour it down the drain too.

Your shot will be nice & shiney.

Dave