[Jewelry making - Article 00472] - Re: [Orchid] Safety Pickle

[Dave Arens]

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Hi Janie,

    Pickle of just about any kind is an acid based material. For jewelry
    use, it's usually sold in a granular form that's mixed with water &
    heated in an old crock pot set on the 'warm' setting. Depending on
    the chemical makeup of the pickle, about 1/4 -1/2 cup per quart/liter
    of water will work. There's no hard & fast ratio. 

    A very good pickle that may be available locally is Ph Minus for
    swimming pools & SPAs. It's chemical name is sodium bisulphate. It's
    usually less expensive than pickle from a jewelry supply & in many
    cases is cleaner to use. It doesn't leave a brown scum like some
    pickles. In areas where pools are common, it's available from pool
    supplies, hardware, drug & grocery stores. 

    As with any acid based product, the item placed in it should be
    neutralized in a solution of bicarbonate of soda (Arm & Hammer
    Baking soda) & water after removal from the pickle. Before discarding
    a batch of used pickle, it's best to neutralize it with the same
    bicarb. 

    If you haven't already got it, I'd suggest you get a copy of 'The
    Complete Metalsmith'. It's about 200 pages of very useful how to
    info, drawings, tables & charts for the beginning & experienced
    metalsmith. Depending on where you get it, it's around $20 in the US. 

Dave

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