I want to give an antique effect to some fun twisted wire beads / bracelets that I'm making and I've been looking at the Connie Fox site. She says "liver of sulfer". I can't find anywhere in the UK that sells this stuff, so is there an alternative? Something that will make the jewellery black so I can polish off the surface. I read somewhere that egg yolks work, but that sounds a bit expensive, and yucky!
Charlie.
< If you want a real old look to silver dip it or paint where you want the effect with vinegar. It will turn it right now!
Harry My Ebay Auctions are at
Three questions...
Will it really go black?
And will the finish stay?
And can it rub off of the places that I don't want it?
It seems silly to try it with expensive things if someone knows the answer.
Charlie.
That's interesting... I've never heard of that one before, Harry. Something to try though. Charlie, the spelling might be "liver of sulphur". Liver of Sulphur is available at any jewelry supply store, and smells of rotten eggs. Silver blackening solutions (Jax brand) should be available at most craft stores. I would also try heating up the wire before you make the pieces to blacken it.
I did spell it right when I was looking for sources... honest! I can't find either of the two named chemicals over here, not locally or on the net anyway. BF also doesn't really want me to have chemicals in the flat, as we've no garden to use them in. I haven't got anything to heat them up on, only a cooking blowtorch, but I don't think the boyfriend would approve!! That's why I'm hoping that vinegar will work.
Charlie.
It's probably a good idea to not have liver of sulphur and Jax blackener in the flat then, as you should use them in well ventilated areas only. Anyway, you can heat up the over the gas stove- temperatures needn't be too hight. What metal wire are you using, btw? Silver? Nickel? Copper? Brass?
Your BF is right to have concerns. What you're talking about is a chemical and you should have good ventilation, rubber gloves and a copper dipper of some sort.
Ever hear of "black patina"? Try looking for the chemical selenium, it's actually easier to use but may require more applications.
Check out these sites for information
And here's another link
Try going to a garden supply store and ask for potassium sulfate. Joan
Potassium sulfate is the same thing. It may be hard to get tho because it is an oxidizer. Exactly why, I don't know. Joan
I'm using Sterling Silver, and we don't have a gas cooker, we have an electric hob.
Charlie.
Silver tarnishes pretty easily so even some candle heat would work. Did you try the vinegar? The other alternative is to just leave it lying around for a bit.
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