Ultrasonic tarnish

Jewelry Discussion
1

Here’s one for all of you metal heads out there. I got a brand new
ultrasonic. I was using the ultrasonic cleaner that rio and stullers
sell. Not looking at it, my brain just quit. It’s called something
green. I’m sure that helped. Anyway, After just a matter of
minutes my silver was tarnishing! I could take it off instantly with
tarnish remover, but what’s the point? I called Stuller and some
idiot told me you should never put silver in an ultrasonic! I almost
laughed hysterically. Anyway someone else at Stullers suggested
that I may be using too much cleaner. Now that made sense. But even
carefully measuring I still was having the same result. So this very
nice intelligent person in tools sent me out some samples of another
kind of ultrasonic cleaner. I’ve been using it for a couple of weeks
and everything seemed to be fine. Then today I pulled a piece out
after just 5 minutes and it had started yellowing! Does anyone know
why this would be happening? On another note, relating to tarnish.
Rio used to sell these white strips that you could put in your case
to keep your jewelry from tarnishing. Granted they weren’t the best
looking, but they worked great. Now they only sell these black
strips that Stuller also sells (I think they’re 3M). I think they’re
practically useless. At shows I swear you can see the jewelry
tarnish before your eyes. Does anyone know where you can find the
old white ones? While I’m asking questions…Why is this called
the Orchid List? What does that have to do with jewelry? Thanks for
any suggestions, I really enjoy this group. Thanks ~Poppy~

2

Poppy, a fellow jeweler recently told me wraps his customer’s
purchases in anti tarnishing paper. I recently purchased a roll of
it, haven’t had the opportunity to use it yet. However, this may do
the same thing that you are looking for. You can get it from I think
Indian Jeweler’s Supply, Thunderbird Supply, and Dallas Supply House.

Sharon Perdasofpy

3

Poppy, Which cleaning solution were you using? Did you rinse the
pieces thoroughly after pulling them from the ultrasonic cleaner? Is
your ultrasonic close to your sparex or other pickling agent. What
material were you removing from the silver, ie; buffing compound,
tarnish, fingerprints etc. Please let me know as this will help answer
your questions. Sincerely, Joe Lovato Neutec/USA

4

I have found that using a Mr. Clean product with no ammonium has
worked the best for me. If using a silver dip cleaner before you place
in sonic this will contaminate the sonic causing a yellowing effect on
the silver and gold when it is taken out , and steamed. If you are
using a oxide (blackening agent) this will sometimes cause
discoloration. I have also noticed that the length in the sonic and
the heat of the sonic will also add alterations to your creations,
i.e. star bursts and sometimes yellowing.

5

Hi Poppy, Is your ultrasonic heated at the time? If so, try it cold
and see if the same thing results. I’ve heard people say (rumors) that
sterling shouldn’t be in a heated ultrasonic, but I’ve never been
able to pin anyone down on it.

I’ve been using the solution that comes with the Speed-Brite “bolt
on” ionic cleaner. I use it hot and have never noticed an issue with
sterling. Then again, I guess the ionic action could be eliminating
the tarnish as it forms.

I would be quite interested to know if the temperature has any
bearing… please report back to us?

P.S. Nothing on the tarnish prevention strips…

All the best,

Dave
Dave Sebaste
Sebaste Studio and
Carolina Artisans’ Gallery
Charlotte, NC (USA)
dave@sebaste.com

6

ultrasonic tarnish…I believe it comes from the steel found in jump
rings…steel causes gold to copper plate and I think that is what is
happening… I could be wrong, but any tarnish remover should take off
what shouldn’t be there. Try tarnex. it can be found at walgreens

7

I haved used lots of cleaning solutions the BEST is called BCR from
OAKITE it will not tarnish silver try this

John Baltzley

8

Why does some gold jewelry come out of my sonic cleaner with a
brownish color, especially 10K yellow gold? Am I not changing the
solution enough or is it “contaminated”? If so then what is the
source of the contamination.? I was thinking it may be that the 10K
is actually less than 41% and it’s reacting with the silver mixed in.
I usually dip the piece in silver cleaner and the tarnish is gone.

9

Are you setting the work in a stainless steel screen basket or
strainer or allowing it to touch the walls of the tank? If there is
contact with either then you have set up a corrosion cell. In effect
it is a battery that causes galvanic corrosion (tarnish) of the 10K.
Try switching to a plastic mesh basket or get the work out of
contact with the tank walls

Jim

James Binnion
@James_Binnion
James Binnion Metal Arts

360-756-6550

10

Joseph, Next time you have a piece that turns run this test. Polish
off tarnish Put fresh solution in a glass or Pyrex jar (in a typical
concentration) Put piece in for similar amount of time. If the piece
is tarnished then you need to use a DIFFERENT kind of solution. If
not old is contaminated don’t forget about those chemicals coming
from the bench…

Rob Dufault

11 
Next time you have a piece that turns run this test. Polish off
tarnish Put fresh solution in a glass or Pyrex jar (in a typical
concentration) Put piece in for similar amount of time. If the
piece is tarnished then you need to use a DIFFERENT kind of
solution. If not old is contaminated don't forget about those
chemicals coming from the bench.

it sounds like a good tip. i usually just make another batch of
solution and it works for a while. i would like to know where the
contamination is coming from.