[Jewelry making - Article 00978] - Re: [Orchid] Patinas on mokume

[Steve Walker]

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    Sorry I let Paul's post slip by. Mitch Adams has my formula
    absolutely right. Oven at 400 F. The polished copper will first turn
    orange, then a sort of magenta red. The orange is not very durable,
    but the darker magenta holds fairly well. Depending on what you use
    to clean your work, you may have some residues that will prevent this
    from happening cleanly. My ultrasonic solution seems to be a problem,
    so I have to wipe with alcohol after cleaning. Straight out of the
    tumbler with RIO's 910 burnishing compound works just perfect. If you
    over heat, or heat too long it starts to turn brown and icky. If that
    happens, pickel and try again. 

    A light coat of wax (I use car wax) will keep the finish longer, but
    it does take the intensity off the color slightly. Since that very
    vibrant color does not last and will mellow into a more natural,
    browner patina with handling, I feel it is better as far as keeping
    the customers expectations realistic. It can last for years or turn
    brown in a few days, depending on perspiration, light, care and
    personal chemistry. My care card describes how the patina will mellow
    with time and makes care suggestions along the lines of benign
    neglect, since this sort of material looks better if it is not
    polished too often. All you have to know is that "tarnish" is a dirty
    word, but "patina" is an art word! 

Steve Walker
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