[Jewelry making - Article 01784] - Re: [Orchid] Safe pickle?

[John Burgess]

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    G'day; I hope to clarify some of the 'mystery' regarding pickle as
    used by jewellers to remove fire stain and sulphide deposits. The
    frequently used material seems to be Sparex, but I understand that
    recent batches have an unwanted brown material when dissolved in
    water, so an alternative is sought. Almost any chemical which
    ionises in water is suitable. That is, it must have a hydrogen atom
    able to dissociate from the chemical. I personally use 10% sulphuric
    acid - but then I have a lifetime's training in laboratory practice.
    However, the original Sparex was sodium bisulphATE, that is, sodium
    hydrogen sulph_ATE_, NaHSO4. This is often confused with sodium
    bisulphITE which is also called sodium sodium hydrogen sulphITE.
    NaHSO3 and sodium sulphITE Na2SO3 This is often used as a mild
    bleach and a sterilizer, used by brewers, and I use it for
    disinfecting kitchen cutting boards. Both may be used as a pickle,
    but the sulphITE has a strong smell of sulphur dioxide - like burning
    sulphur - so the bisulphATE is preferred. Other chemicals such as
    citric acid; tartaric acid and alum (aluminium sulphATE) are
    suitable. And even lemon juice at a pinch! 

    Sodium bisulphATE is also sold as 'pH down' for pools and is much
    cheaper. 

Cheers, Johnb
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