[Jewelry making - Article 00176] - Re: [Orchid] Oxidation, Frustration, Exasperation?

[Andrew Horn]

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    Hi Mike. 	Welcome to Orchid!  I'm not a true expert on tarnish, but
    most of my pieces are silver with antiquing too, and I do have some
    browning of the silver over time. I was wondering though, have you
    considered using the good old "liver of sulfur" for antiquing? It's
    tried and true, and very easy to use. (I am sure you are familiar
    with it) Also, Silver black (hydrochloric acid) works well if you are
    painting the black on. The whole idea of lacquering a piece of
    jewelry just feels wrong. lacquer is for wood, and even then, I
    prefer oil finishes. 

    	But, perhaps in this situation the best thing to do would be to side
    step that issue and ask instead, "Who Moved my Cheese?" and start
    "Thinking Outside of the (plush, velvet, hot-stamped) Box" to come up
    with a different solution for the packaging itself. :) First of all,
    make it very clear to your customer that you want to continue doing
    business with them and you are doing everything possible to solve the
    problem, and assure them that it WILL get worked out! 

    	Then...why not completely remove the option of their displaying your
    products in the clear baggies by using either "Anti-Tarnish flannel
    pouches" (like the ones for old silver flatware - Rio Grande Display
    catalog item number 455-340, page 65) or use small *cardboard* boxes
    with an anti-tarnish tab (page 202) inserted in each one. That way
    the piece could breathe. 

    	Now, I understand that the cost may be prohibitive for the pouches
    and boxes, maybe wrapping each piece creatively in a nice
    anti-tarnish tissue paper (page 75) or swatch of anti tarnish fabric?
    Or possibly using glassine envelopes similar to photographic negative
    carriers? Or, maybe small manila envelopes, or small paper bags
    stapled/taped shut (page 74). Then they *have* to "let the piece out
    of the bag". 

    Just some ideas. I wish you luck! 

Drew Horn
Studio Fiodh
www.mastersjewel.com
www.fiodh.com

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