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Q&As since 1989

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How to darken silver items

Q. I want to manually darken silver items. But I want that done in a few seconds/minutes.

Is there a chemical substance/compound that can do this?

Thank you in advance!

Agelis Alexandros
hobbyist - Athens, Attica, Greece
2003

2003

Liver of Sulfur

on eBay or

Amazon

(affil links)

A. Use a splash of liver sulphates in hot water.

Jon Diamond
silver plater - Berkeley, California

Q. I've antiqued a silver ring using a hard boiled egg, and it worked very nicely, but it wears off after a couple of days, or simply loses the look I worked hard to achieve. I've read about aliver of sulfur [on eBay or Amazon] , etc. That's fine, but how can I create a black or bronze antique appearance and have it last permanently?

Mr. William L. Brunner
This, That, and Things - Williamsville, New York
2007

2007

(To show dark relieved areas)
Courtesy: Balfour.com

A. The heavier coating from liver of sulfur will last longer, but either way it's a surface treatment -- you are not altering the composition of the body of the ring. What you really need, and it may not help much to tell you, is a ring with raised pattern. Then the recesses stay black while the raised portions burnish back to bright. Look at a traditional high school or college ring and you'll understand instantly.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

Q. Trying to age "silver" jewelry for a steampunk project -- any hints?

Doreen Tanner
- Canada
November 21, 2011

High contrast oxide finish. "Bali silver" finish

Q. Hello
We are looking for a black finish that we see on silver jewelry comes from Bali. Very dark finish on the bottom surface and high polish on the higher surfaces. Traditional oxidization gives a greyish color and shine of the high polish surfaces lose brightness as well. We would like to achieve a higher contrast between the darkened regions and the high polish surfaces.
I appreciate in advance any product, technique or solution suggestions.
Thanks
Cem

cem Adi
designer - new york, New York
March 4, 2016

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