[Jewelry making - Article 00684] - Re: [Orchid] How can I oxidize white gold bands?

[James Binnion]

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>         Jim, For recessed areas (which won't be in skin contact) I
>     have copper plated, buffed off excess, and oxidized with liver of
>     sulphur. Old pickle with a bit of binding wire works well for
>     plating, acid copper won't throw well into recesses. 

    This looks great for a short while but is problematic for use on
    rings. Rings are constantly exposed to water  (from hand washing)
    and salts from the skin and other varieties of chemicals. Because
    copper is very chemically active it will corrode away due to the
    exposure to these chemicals and galvanic action caused by the
    difference between the copper and the gold. All of this will remove
    even thick copper plate in a couple of years or less and you will
    have the customer back in the shop saying that the antiquing has
    worn off. The Win-Ox and other selenium and tellurium based
    "oxidizers" (patinas) are a little more durable but still must be
    re-applied on a periodic basis to keep the look on a ring. This is
    why I suggested paint, if you must re-apply the color periodically
    and since all the options are a coating applied over the gold  then
    why not use a epoxy paint that will have a good color and will last
    as long or longer than patinas? 

Jim


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