[Jewelry making - Article 00937] - Re: [Orchid] Etching Vs. Using a Jewelers Saw

[kerri parker]

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>     OK, first of all, sterling doesn't contain zinc. 

    Sterling can contain zinc. Sterling has more copper in it than zinc
    and nitric will quickly dissolve both metals before it eats through
    silver. 

>     Second, I have been etching silver with nitric acid for years
>     without seeing any smoke at all. The fumes *are* nasty, it is true,
>     so appropriate ventilation and/or mask are important, but it can be
>     covered with a lid, as well. Your acid may have been too
>     concentrated. I'm not sure what strength mine is-- I use it as it
>     comes from Rio. 

    I have been mixing all of my acid baths and using nitric on copper
    and zinc for the last 7 years and nitric on silver for the last 2. I
    must stress that if you see smoke or no smoke the vapors that come
    off silver in nitric are highly poisonous. Masks do not filter out
    nitric acid when you are exposed to higher level than recommended by
    the MSDS, Only a self contained breathing apparatus is recommended
    for high exposure to nitric. And yes you should be covering the acid
    bath with a lid whenever possible but you still have to open it up
    occasionally to do your work. Also, being a contact lense wearer
    with very sensitive eyes I know that nitric acid vapors definitely
    effect the eyes even when I am dealing with much weaker acid baths
    (1:7) as well. 

>     Last, I have etched all the way through, without any kind of
>     trauma! When I did it, I made a pattern by photocopying my drawing
>     onto acetate and ironed the copier ink onto the metal. 

    I do agree that this is the most accurate way to transfer your design
    on the front and the back, but you also have to remember that ferric
    chloride had a much cleaner bite than nitric. The biting (etching)
    action of nitric will not only bite straight down but also outwards
    as well. Masking the front and back is a great help to keep your
    resist on and to prevent the acid from going under your resist and
    inside the lines. Nitric's advantage is that it is a quicker etch.
    Though I must stress again that nitric is a lot worse for your health
    than ferric and after 7 years of using it, I'm trying to make a full
    switch to ferric. 

    I have also heard great things about the ferric, citric acid bath as
    well, although I haven't tried it yet. 

Good Luck
Kerri Parker
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