A Question and A Tutorial

[ethora.livejournal.com]

Which do you think looks better for this piece, raw silver:



or oxidized silver:

?


I oxidized this piece with black salt, a spice used in Indian cooking. It's very easy to use, and I think a lot less toxic than liver of sulfur (I mean, it's edible)! Here's how I use it:

1. fill an old coffee mug 3/4 with water,
2. microwave until boiling,
3. take outside or in a well ventilated area - this is smelly stuff,
4. dump about a tablespoon of black salt into the hot water and stir,
5. dip your clean silver piece/s into the hot solution,
6. keep dipping and soaking until the desired color is achieved,
7. clean and polish your piece.

Easy! Back salt also works with copper and fine silver...and probably other metals that I have not tried yet.

Have fun!