Summary for blackening steel jewelry Discussion
Blackening steel jewelry is discussed as a surface-finishing problem, not something that can be done through the full thickness of the metal. In response to Sumeet J Martinez’s question about making steel black permanently without plating, Jason Aube says steel cannot be turned black throughout its entire thickness; for surface color he suggests blueing salts, paint, powder coat, or a titanium PVD coating, noting that PVD is durable, allergy-friendly, and must be outsourced. He also adds that for small runs, niobium can be used instead of steel and heat-colored with a torch to produce a gray-black, hematite-like finish that resists UV fading. A separate answer from Goran Budija gives a chemical blackening formula for steel using sulfuric acid, potassium bichromate, and water at 30 °C, offering another surface-treatment approach.
Q. I am a jeweler and would appreciate if someone can help me understand HOW TO TURN STEEL JEWELRY BLACK PERMANENTLY WITHOUT PLATING? Yes, even from the inside. Thanks for your time.
Sumeet J Martinez
jeweler – Mckinney, Texas
2004
A. Don’t quite catch you on the “even from the inside” line. If you mean turn steel black throughout its entire thickness…its not possible. For surface try.. blueing salts, paint, powder coat, or a titanium PVD coating (which won’t bother allergies and lasts much longer than most methods) PVD you have to ship out to have done, no way to do it at home. If you just have a few pieces you need done or the profit margin is good you can use niobium in place of steel and heat color it with a torch…gets a great grey-ish black (sort of looks like dark hematite)this coating lasts quite some time and doesn’t fade with UV rays.
Jason Aube
– Flint, Michigan
2004
A. Brown to black for steel:
50 gm sulfuric acid
200 gm potassium bichromate
1 lit water,temp. 30 °C
Goran Budija
– Cerovski vrh Croatia