How to Oxidize Jewelry
Liver of Sulfur method is really the only way that I would suggest you precede with oxidizing your jewelry. We’ve certainly tried the ol’ egg in a Tupperware method, and it’s NOT worth the effort, and left us with a multicolored patina.
We will be teaching you how to use the Liver of Sulfer Method. We only oxidize wire wraps and fabrications, but you can use this to oxidize anything that is silver or copper.
What is Liver of Sulfur?
Liver of Sulfur (LOS) is a chemical compound with the active ingredient potassium sulfide, and when used properly it will leave your silver or copper jewelry with a beautiful, smooth patina. I’d suggest reading through our post about Why to Oxidize if you’re unsure about oxidation.
How to:
You will need:
Polishing Tools:
Dremel
Polishing Discs
Polishing Cloth
Or
0000 Fine Steel Wool
Toothbrush
Access to hot Water & Sink
Liver of Sulfur Gel (We use Liver of Sulfer XL Gel and the 2oz has lasted us quite a while!)
Baking Soda
Soap
2 Tupperware/Glass containers**
Toothbrush**
Paper Towels
Piece of Wire longer than 5”
**These need to be dedicated to use of LOS. Do not ever use them to eat out of after use
Step 1: Setup
Here’s how our setup looks.
We like to work in the kitchen.
Your area should:
Be clean & organized
Have a non-porous surface
Have access to sink & hot water
Have good ventilation
Step 2 - Clean the Jewelry
This is absolutely necessary step for an even patina. One finger print can provide enough oil to form a natural barrier and protect the metal from antiquing.
Scrub the pendant with soap and a toothbrush to really get those oils & dirt off.
Step 3 - Create the Solution & Neutralizer
Fill the two Tupperware’s with pretty hot water, but NOT boiling. A solution at the boiling point will create a more toxic gas and decompose the LOS, defeating the purpose. (A little tip: We usually use our Keurig as it comes out the perfect temperature for this process.)
LOS Solution
One Tupperware will become the LOS solution. Put a few drops of the Liver of Sulfur gel in with the hot water. You can use the wire to gently stir it up. The color should be a dark yellow, pictured here.
Neutralizing Solution
The other Tupperware will become the neutralizing solution. This will be used to stop the progression of the oxidation. Add baking Soda to warm water. You’ll see tiny bubbles form like we have here.
I would not suggest cold as it may shock whatever stones you have in the jewelry.
Stir well.
Step 4 –Stinky Bath Time
Now you can finally dunk the jewelry.
You don’t want to get the LOS on your hands, so this is where the wire will come in handy. Bend the wire to create a hook, so you can use this to dunk the jewelry. Slip the jewelry onto the hook. Lower it into the solution, and gently sway the jewelry in the solution.
You’ll see it shift colors almost right away. Pull it out and check the patina, dunking it back in if you notice any unevenness. Uneven tones will contain strange colors like gold, pink, or blue. If you do not clean your jewelry prior to dunking, it will have these uneven tones.
Silver will go from silver to charcoal greyish/black. Copper will go from brassy orange to dark brownish/black.
Step 5 – Neutralize
Dip your jewelry in the neutralizing bath. Gently sway it in the solution for about 10 seconds.
Step 6 – Rinse
Rinse off the neutralizing solution and gently scrub the jewelry with soap and the toothbrush, making sure to get in all crevices.
Try to do this quickly, as the baking soda can create a strange and unpleasant dusty effect if left on too long.
Step 7 - Dry & Finish
(We thought this one looked great blacked out, because it had a great contrast of black and gold, and the Topaz was shining brilliantly against the blacked out background. But, ultimately we did decide to polish it up to bring out the wire work even more.)
Dry if off well, and you will have completed the oxidation part of the process! You may be complete if you are leaving it blackened like some of our pendants seen in ‘Color Play’. If you plan on having an oxidized and polished final product, I will talk about it briefly below, but we will certainly have a more in depth post about it in the near future.
We use polishing discs and a Dremel for this part of the process. Run the Dremel at half speed on a high polish (The light green disc seen here is 1000 grit)
If you do not have access to these tools, you can also use 0000 Steel Wool. Run the steel wool on the pendant, and the same effect will take place. This is longer, and specifically less ideal with wire wraps because small strands will break off into the piece, and you’ll need to take a dry toothbrush to the pendant to work them all out.
After abrasive polishing, you can use your polishing cloth with red/white rouge to get a real shine. We get ours from Rio Grande.
When you polish it up to your liking, you'll be al completed and ready to admire the gorgeous contrast the patina has given your jewelry.
FAQs
How do I dispose of the solution?
Before disposing the solution, you will need to need to neutralize it. You can either dump in more baking soda, or pour the two solutions together. We will cover the solution and let it sit until it becomes clear again. Then we will dump it in a designated area outdoors. You could dump it down your sink, but only after it is totally neutralized. Honestly, I wouldn’t suggest it, but if you need to do it this way, let cold water run as you slowly pour it in order to protect your pipes.
Does LOS smell?
Yes, LOS stinks. It may bother others around you. Everyone in the house knows when it’s stinky bath time because I try to give them the heads up. The LOS is sulfuric, so it’s similar to rotten eggs. The smell is most intense when you first mix up the heated solution, and when you neutralize the solution at the end.
Is it safe?
It is safe enough that it is used by so many people. Just please read the usage warning on your LOS brand that you decide to work with.
LOS gas is toxic, so exercise caution. If you plan on oxidizing often I would make sure you do it in a well-ventilated area.
It may cause some irritation if you get it on skin, so I suggest wearing gloves and goggles.
Do not Pour LOS gel/Solution down your drain unneutralized. It will destroy your pipes
Can I reuse the solution?
Some jewelers reuse their solution. We do not because we don’t oxidize frequently enough. We typically oxidize a few pendants at a time, so the solution is also more dirty than a one time use bath, but you can get multiple uses out of it.
