jewelry bombing I know it is a reaction between caynite and
hydrogen peroxide but in what percentages and what do you do when
it goes out of control
Gary many of the larger firms have switched to making items that do
not need bombing. An out of control bombing reaction can kill those
present through reaction of lungs and cyanide gas. Workers safety
groups have put pressure on the industry to find other less dangerous
methods. Maybe there is a different technique that would accomplish a
similar profit without having to compete with those who value the
perceived increase in profit over their health.
Maybe try over plating.
Peace Marty
Dear Gary,
In 1975 I worked for a jeweler who regularly bombed in a very small,
poorly ventilated studio. It was after that time that I started
developing health problems. Yes, bombing does strip gold beautifully,
but this is a very toxic procedure. My advice is to farm this work
out or work carefully in an extremely well ventilated studio AND wear
an appropriate respirator. If you choose to do this work in your
studio, never eat in there and scrub all surfaces carefully after
working. Cherish your health above all else.
Munya Avigail Upin
We used to electro-strip and then reverse-plate using the same
solution. Even though I believe it was cyanide based, it was
definitely a safer method than bombing. Not as bright, but then it’s
purpose was to give a uniform appearance to a ring that had had
multiple heads installed or soldered parts. As I remember, it looked
about 18K -22K - even if the product was 14K.
This only works if the stripping solution has been used a bit
beforehand - to saturate it with gold. I never understood why the
gold reverse plated back out and the copper stayed behind? John
Burgess wanna take a crack at this?
Also, I seem to remember that there was a simple method to
destroy/neutralize the cyanide solutions and drop out the gold at
the same time. It’s in my notes somewhere… John again?
B.
This only works if the stripping solution has been used a bit
beforehand - to saturate it with gold. I never understood why the
gold reverse plated back out and the copper stayed behind? John
Burgess wanna take a crack at this?
I’m Not John Bugess, but I think I know the answer… Different
metals will plate out of a solution at different voltages, this is a
result of different oxidation potentials. The metal with the lowest
E-zero value will plate out first is I recall corectly. And is also
the reason why Iron will go into solution deducing copper out of
solution giving that wonderful copper plating effect when one puts a
silver piece into pickle with iron binding wire attached.
WayneM