What is black silver

Blackened silver: what is it and how to clean it at home

Blackening of metal is a method of decorating a precious item, known since ancient times. In Rus' he was valued and in demand.

Blackened silver is as popular today as it was a hundred years ago. It adds sophistication and unusual beauty of outline to any product.

Features of blackened silver

When choosing a precious item, many are interested in the question of what blackened silver is and how the process of blackening the metal occurs. Each piece of jewelry created using this technique does not require frequent cleaning; it is durable and practical.

Blackened silver is silver coated on top with niello, consisting of alloys of copper, lead, and silver sulfur oxides. This solution for blackening silver is applied to pure metal, which is then heated until the black melts. As a result, exquisite black marks remain on the surface of the product, giving it volume and additional relief.

This type of decorative finishing gives a touch of antiquity, which is in particular demand among jewelers. The price of such decoration can be quite high, because the work implies unique shapes and outlines.

When choosing blackened silver, you need to remember the main factors that can affect its cost:

• try;
• the presence of inserts made of precious stones;
• experience of the craftsman performing the work;
• complexity, individuality of the pattern.

It is not for nothing that blackened silver has its admirers and admirers. Decorative finishing has many advantages:

• preserves the original appearance of the product for a long time;
• does not require frequent cleaning;
• there is an opinion about the unusual bactericidal properties of the coating;
• It is believed that blackened items protect their owners from evil spirits.

The only disadvantage of decorative finishing is the fact that it cannot be boiled in soda water. This interaction leads to the disintegration of the coating. Jewelers note that it must be cleaned properly, which can be attributed to the characteristics of the alloy, and not to its shortcomings.

Some people confuse blackened silver with regular silver, not knowing what it is and how the darkening occurs, thinking about the natural tarnishing of the metal associated with time.

In fact, any silver can turn black, but this happens during prolonged wear, upon contact with air, moisture, or human sweat. Such a product will never have a charming charm, a noble shine, and such plaque can be easily removed with standard cleaning.

Why should you buy blackened silver?

It is also worth purchasing blackened silver because it will last for many years and will become a family heirloom that can be passed on by inheritance.

For example, many people purchase cutlery, watches, photo frames, and amulets with unusual decorative finishes. Even in Rus', people believed in the mystical properties of an amulet with blackening. The products protected families from the evil eye and brought good luck.

Today it is possible to purchase silver jewelry with decorative niello and inlays of precious stones. Jewelers advise choosing rings, amulets, pendants with pearls, garnets, emeralds or rubies. It is believed that these stones are organically combined with scrap metal and exquisite coating.

Blackened jewelry is suitable for the fair sex at any age, as well as for men who love originality, restraint, and individuality in style.

Blackening on high-grade silver looks especially beautiful and elegant. Low-quality metal will not allow the product to maintain its original appearance for many years; over time, it will lead to destruction and falling off. This is worth considering when purchasing.

What you need to know about blackened silver?

Before choosing a product with this coating, it is worth learning about the features of caring for it, as well as how to make a purchase that will bring joy and not disappointment.

Despite the fact that decorative finishing is not difficult to clean, it is necessary to periodically care for the precious metal. The cleaning procedure is carried out using a special canvas fabric, which will remove excess and maintain its original appearance.

It is not recommended to use aggressive chemicals or alcohol as care. They can damage the specific shine and the coating itself.

When choosing a silver item with blackening, you need to be careful, since this type of decorative coating is often represented by oxidized metal. To distinguish real blackening, you need to remember the basic rules and differences. Based on these rules, you can easily understand what type of silver and its processing is presented to the buyer or is already in his box of precious metals:

1. Oxidized metal has a duller black tint and stands out against the background of light areas.
2. If white gaps appear on the black coating during cleaning, this indicates that the person was sold oxidized silver metal.
3. The low cost should also alert you to the fact that real blackened jewelry is expensive.
4. If the silver shows a tarnished appearance over time, we can conclude that there is an oxidized film on the surface of the product.

Few people know that today it is possible to blacken silver at home without spending a lot of time and effort. There are two well-known methods that will help you obtain an elegant decorative coating:

1. Using a regular egg, a thin thread and a plastic container. The egg must be boiled and divided into 2 parts, then placed in a plastic container. The product is carefully cleaned and hung on a thread in a container with an egg. The container is closed for an hour. During the procedure, for uniform coverage, it is necessary to turn the product over.

2. Using sulfur ointment and iodine. The selected product is coated with iodine and left to dry for a certain time, then wiped gently with a cloth. A similar process is carried out with sulfur ointment.

   But you need to dry the product with a hairdryer. Don't be alarmed if the color changes to purple during drying. This is a natural reaction that indicates the correctness of the technology being performed. After complete drying, all ointment is removed.

If you follow all the technology for making a blackened product at home, you can end up with a beautiful antique decoration.

Silver has always been and will continue to be a popular metal that is anti-aging and goes well with many gemstones.

Decorative blackening will give the decoration a specific seductiveness and irresistibility. In addition, it is an expensive acquisition that will protect its owner from the evil eye and be passed on to the heirs as a priceless heirloom.

Source: https://gems-and-jewels.ru/chernenie-serebra.html

What is blackening and how does it happen?

Nata Karlin

Blackening is an ancient and proven method of decorative processing of precious and semi-precious metals. Blackening methods were used even before our era, both in Rus' and in other states.

This method reached its culmination in the 17th century thanks to the efforts of the master jewelers of Veliky Ustyug. Blackening silver looks advantageous, although this technique also looks stylish on gold.

This method is not used for other metals because the black does not stick to them. So what is blackening and how does it happen?

How and why do jewelers blacken silver?

Silver alloys from which jewelry is made have a faded grayish-metallic tint. Products lose color and darken after a short period of time. In addition, blackening allows jewelers to highlight the relief of the applied design and give it uniqueness. Therefore, a special metal blackening technique is used, which involves the following process:

Grinding. The surface of the product is carefully ground and polished, clearing it of burrs, dust, grease and plaque; Embossing or engraving. A design is applied to the thoroughly cleaned surface of the product;

As a means for blackening, jewelers use solutions containing metal oxides - copper or lead. Some people use silver oxide.

Enterprises use the electroplating method to blacken silver and gold. This is a complex process, which results in high-quality products, but there is a caveat - they are not exclusive.

The cost of products made of blackened silver or other metal is significantly higher than the cost of the same item that has not undergone special treatment. The price of blackened silver jewelry or tableware consists of the cost of the product itself and the work of the jeweler. The result is exclusive jewelry that is simply impossible to replicate.

Blackening at home

To blacken silver at home, you can use the following methods:

Graphite is mixed with turpentine and iron oxide in special proportions. The result is a creamy mass, which is applied to the recesses of the pattern and left until completely dry. Then the mixture is carefully cleaned from the surface of the product with a soft, dry cloth or toothbrush.

The protruding relief of the design is wiped with an alcohol solution; Take one egg, a vacuum container, and a spool of thread. The egg is boiled, cut in half, placed cut side up in a container, and the product for blackening is hung from above on a thread, the container is hermetically sealed.

From time to time the product needs to be turned so that the niello lays down in an even layer. The whole process takes up to forty minutes; You need to take a jar of medical iodine and cotton wool. It is iodine in this case that is the liquid for blackening the silver product. It is applied to the entire surface and left to dry in the light. The process needs to be monitored.

As soon as the silver has darkened to the desired shade, the convexities of the product are wiped with a soft felt cloth, onto which a little toothpaste is applied;

Sulfur ointment, which can be bought at a pharmacy and costs a penny, can also help achieve the desired shade of blackening. The process is extremely simple - coat the corrugated silver item with ointment and heat it evenly with a hairdryer. In the recesses, the color of the product will turn dark purple. Now you just need to polish the blackened ring and admire its uniqueness.

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It is worth noting that it is better to subject carved things to these processes. Smooth products should not be processed in this way. It's better to polish them.

How to properly clean a blackened silver item

Silver is a metal that reacts with chemicals. In order not to disturb the appearance of the product, it is worth remembering that blackened silver products cannot be cleaned using the following means and methods:

Ammonia; Boiling;

Polishing with powders and pastes that have a rough abrasive structure.

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It is better to clean blackened silver items in the following ways:

Grate the laundry soap on a coarse grater, dissolve it in warm water and let the solution sit for an hour. After this, strain and add soda. Proportions: for 1 glass of water, a piece of soap the size of a matchbox and a teaspoon of soda.

Immerse the silver item in the solution for 20-30 minutes, then rinse with warm water and wipe with a soft, dry cloth; Peel the potato, cut it into eight pieces and place in a bowl of water. The potatoes should give up their starch.

After this, remove the potatoes and place the blackened silver product in water for 3 hours;

Dilute a tablespoon of soda in a glass of water and place the silver jewelry in the solution for 4 hours.

You can go over the surface of the product with an eraser to erase pencil drawings and the item will sparkle like new.

There are many ways to clean blackened silver jewelry and items at home. The main thing is not to forget that you need to monitor the process and not allow the integrity and beauty of the drawing to be compromised.

December 4, 2014, 16:28

Source: https://sunmag.me/sovety/04-12-2014-chto-takoe-chernenie-i-kak-ono-proiskhodit.html

The essence of the silver blackening process: Review +

Blackening on silver is a classic in jewelry, one of the oldest ways to decorate silver objects, giving them nobility and contrast.

The process belongs to ancient folk crafts, which were perfectly preserved by the masters of Veliky Ustyug. Blackening itself consists of applying designs with a special mass to various silver items.

This technique came to our region from Byzantium and has been known since the tenth century, but it reached its greatest peak at the end of the 17th century, when trade routes with silver from Siberia passed through Veliky Ustyug.

General information

At that time there were many private workshops, and each master had his own personal characteristics and secrets of blackening, performed all the stages himself and passed on the secrets and subtleties of his craft to his students only on his deathbed. This attitude towards the craft could lead to its complete disappearance. Later, they began industrial production of blackened products in special factories.

So what is silver blackening and what does this process involve?

Blackening is a very delicate work consisting of decorative finishing of a silver product with a design, ornament or pattern, with the application of a special alloy called niello.

It is worth noting that silver itself is a very soft metal, therefore, to increase the strength of future products, copper is added to it, the amount of which affects the sample of the final material (the amount of pure silver in the product).

Both metals are melted in a furnace at high temperatures, after which the resulting alloy is used to form the intended product, which, in fact, will be blackened. Today, as in the old days, most work is done by hand, so the main tool is the hands of the master.

Of course, manual work also evades the cost of blackened products.

How to care for blackened silver?

• • — The process begins with applying a design invented by the artist to the product. In some cases, the design is applied manually, or it is possible to use pre-prepared stencils.
  • — Next, engraving is carried out - a stage at which, using a special device, a graver, the master cuts small grooves with a depth of about 0.3 mm according to a pre-applied pattern.
  • At this point, the preparatory stages end and the product is now ready for blackening.
  • - The niello itself is applied to the scorched surface - a dark paste, which is a mixture of copper, lead, sulfur and silver, ground into powder and diluted with ammonium chloride.

It is noteworthy that the baking technology is carried out only in the summer, so that the temperature outside is above zero!

Black is applied to those parts of the product that will be blackened and fired in a kiln at a temperature of 600 degrees. It is at this moment that a chemical reaction occurs, the niello melts and, spreading, is soldered to the engraved grooves of the product. Subsequently, it will add sophistication to the item and a soft shimmer to the silver. Afterwards, the excess black is ground down to silver on a grinding machine. At this moment, the engraving pattern appears.

At this stage, further decoration of the item is possible, for example, gilding.

The final stage is to add shine to the blackened product - grinding and polishing it.

You can blacken silver items at home. To do this, you will need simple and affordable materials - an egg, sulfur ointment, iodine. Methods for such blackening are easy to find on the Internet.

Blackened silver is very popular not only for household items, but also for a lot of jewelry. Unlike ordinary silver, blackened silver is more durable, resistant to mechanical damage, and does not require additional care. Of course, if you want to keep something for many years, then you need to handle it carefully.

Important! When cleaning blackened products, under no circumstances should you use abrasive materials! The ideal means would be a light soap solution with a pinch of salt (the item should be immersed for 20-25 minutes) or water with peeled potatoes poured in (the item should be immersed for 4 hours).

Jewelry made from blackened silver is a fairly versatile item to wear; it suits any occasion and style of clothing. To add more sophistication, they are decorated with precious or semi-precious stones. Of course, the cost of such jewelry increases significantly, but isn't it worth it?

However, when purchasing blackened items, you need to be very careful not to encounter falsely blackened silver - a fake made of oxidized metal. The difference is that not black, but an oxide film is applied to such a product. It is short-lived and disappears over time and with physical impact.

Results

Blackening also looks beautiful on other metals, such as gold and copper. However, it is extremely difficult to deduce the composition of the niello on them; it can crumble and fall off, therefore, from ancient times to the present day, only silver niello is most often used - it is durable and exquisitely beautiful.

Source: https://kakchistim.ru/chistota-doma/chernenie-serebra-ot-istokov-remesla-do-nashix-dnej.html

Rhodium: the rarest precious metal | SOKOLOV Magazine

Those who have nothing to do with precious metals and see them only in jewelry sometimes underestimate rhodium. One interesting fact can refute this opinion.

Once upon a time, at a rhodium processing factory, there was a unique mortar for grinding the precious metal. She looked ordinary, except that she weighed 30 kg. However, its price turned out to be commensurate with the cost of the entire plant. And all because the material for the mortar was a very rare noble metal - rhodium.

What is rhodium?

In the periodic table D.I. Mendeleev, it is known as element 45, which in reality is one of the rarest precious metals on Earth.

Rhodium was discovered in 1803 by the famous English scientist William Hyde Wollaston. The researcher discovered a bright pink powder in a native platinum solution. After rolling in a hydrogen atmosphere, the reddish powder turned into a white heavy metal that looked like aluminum.

For its special shade it received the name ροδον, which translated from Greek means “rose”.

History of rhodium

The amount of rhodium in platinum is measured in fractions of a percent, and for a long time the precious metal was practically unattainable.

In 1819-1824, the richest placers of so-called raw (that is, native) platinum were discovered in the Urals. A few years after this, its quantity was about two tons. For further processing, platinum was sent to St. Petersburg, and rhodium and other accompanying metals were discarded.

Only in the 40s of the 19th century, Kazan University professor K.K. Klaus became interested in the Ural deposits and found in them “no small amounts of rhodium, iridium, osmium and palladium.” At the same time, the scientist discovered a previously unknown platinum group metal - ruthenium.

Despite the fact that until the beginning of the 20th century, about 95% of the world's platinum reserves were mined in Russia, the use of the rare metals accompanying it was never found, and rhodium was sold abroad, one might say, for next to nothing.

In 1918, the Institute for the Study of Platinum and Other Precious Metals was opened in our country, where the most important studies of rhodium were carried out. And already in 1925, the rarest metal was first obtained in the USSR.

Until now, it, like other platinum group metals, is obtained from “raw” platinum or during the process of refining gold. However, even in our time, the properties of this incredibly rare element are not fully understood.

Why is rhodium valuable?

Its high melting point (1960 degrees) and resistance to external influences have made it popular in many industries, including chemicals, glass and jewelry.

The world's rhodium reserves amount to only a few tens of tons. Despite the fact that the cost of rhodium is several times higher than gold, the demand for it is increasing every year.

Compared to other platinum group metals, rhodium is brighter and harder - it only becomes ductile when heated.

Rhodium does not oxidize in air, it is not afraid of a humid environment, the influence of acids, sulfur, chlorine, fluorine and other aggressive environments. Due to its high strength, rhodium is more durable than other metals. Its reflectivity is about 80%. Of course, it is lower than that of silver, but the resistance to corrosion and temperature effects of rhodium is much higher.

That is why it is used as a protective and decorative coating for jewelry made of gold and silver.

Rhodium plating

Rhodium plating is the application of a thin layer of rhodium (0.1 - 0.25 microns) to the surface of jewelry. The coating improves not only the appearance of metals, giving the surface a platinum shine, but also their chemical and mechanical properties. In addition, rhodium does not tarnish over time.

Metal is applied to jewelry using an electrochemical reaction. Electroplating requires special attention, precise adherence to the technological process itself and preparation for it.

The product goes through several stages: ultrasonic washing, degreasing in alkali and sulfuric acid solutions, washing and treatment in a steam generator. At the final stage, the surface is treated with a special marker under the influence of electric current or completely dipped into a galvanic bath.

Rhodium is a metal with a white luster, so the coating looks especially advantageous on jewelry made of white gold and silver. In products made of red gold, with the help of a decorative coating, a combination of several shades of metal is achieved in one piece of jewelry without the use of soldering different alloys.

Traditionally, rhodium is used to cover the settings of jewelry stones (for example, diamonds or sapphires) to highlight the shine of jewelry inserts.

Black rhodium plating

Jewelers often use black rhodium plating, which gives the jewelry a slightly aged or, on the contrary, a fresh, modern look, and the stones against this “background” look brighter and more expressive. What determines the color of rhodium?

If you carefully read the composition on packages of rhodium of various shades, you will notice that they all differ in only one component - a solution of salts. The color of the future coating depends on it. Otherwise, rhodium of different colors is absolutely identical, which means it retains all the same properties as the light metal we are used to.

Caring for rhodium-plated products

First of all, you need to remember that rhodium plating is just a coating, a thin protective layer on the surface of the jewelry. Therefore, forget about powders, sandpaper and other abrasive substances, the use of which risks damaging the product.

If the rod is damaged, the best thing is to contact a specialist who will quickly restore the decorative coating. If this is not possible, use the same methods as for cleaning silver.

Source: https://sokolov.ru/blog/about-jewelry/precious-metals/rodij-cennej-chem-zoloto/

Blackened silver - the costs pay off

Specialists working with precious metals know that the color of gold can change depending on the alloying metals. A bright yellow color is obtained by adding a silver alloy with a low copper content; if there is more copper in the alloy than silver, the alloy acquires a reddish tint. Gold also exists in other colors: green (alloyed with potassium), blue (alloyed with indium), violet (alloyed with aluminum).

Silver, unlike gold, does not have such a varied palette - it always has a silvery-white tint. Therefore, to enhance the effect of mystery and nobility, ancient craftsmen came up with the idea of ​​engraving and minting jewelry, weapons, dishes, and then covering the surface with crushed niello. Niello (niello) is an alloy of silver, copper and lead sulfides used to decorate metal objects.

For jewelry to be blackened, 925 sterling alloy is used; the presence of copper makes the metal ductile, durable and easy to machine. Drawings and patterns that are prepared for blackening can be very diverse, mainly paintings of hunting, images of birds or animals, coats of arms, castles. The work is complex, delicate, precise, but the costs are worth it.

Blackening technology

After artistic preparation (embossing) of the product, it is cleaned and a solution of niello (niello) is applied to the engraved part of the jewelry using a dry or wet method.

When using the dry method, the required layer of black is poured onto the wet surface of the product; when using the wet method, it is lubricated with a prepared liquid mixture.

Careful drying and firing at a temperature of 300-400 degrees completes the process, the niello melts and a pattern appears on the silver, firmly fused with the base. Products become embossed and refined, using this method it is possible to create complex artistic designs.

The marketable appearance is achieved by cleaning, grinding, polishing and, if desired, some craftsmen apply small touches of “shotting” to the finished product for beauty. In the 17th century, Veliky Ustyug blackening on silver gained great fame in our country. Weapons, cigarette cases, trays, forks, spoons, cup holders and many other items were decorated with niello. Blackening of silver has become widespread in icon painting.

Nowadays, blackened silver has not lost its popularity. Jewelry with blackened elements - rings, earrings, chains, bracelets, necklaces - are a fashionable and luxurious accessory. Rich people often buy forks, spoons and trays made of blackened silver: such utensils have bactericidal properties, and the stylish blackening gives them aristocracy and nobility.

How to care for blackened silver?

Many people confuse niello with a black coating that appears on silver jewelry over time. However, as we found out, niello is applied to the product specifically to make the engraved design more beautiful and noticeable. Blackened silver does not need cleaning.

Some sellers pass off oxidized silver as blackened. Oxidized metal is simply coated with a thin oxide film to achieve the “old silver” effect. Such jewelry has less value compared to blackened silver, but is also popular. Oxidized silver should be cleaned very carefully so as not to remove the film: you can wash the product in a weak soap solution and wipe it with a soft cloth.

In the Urals, in the old days, many families bought various items made of blackened silver, which is now rarely used by young people. Our company is always happy to help if you decide to sell your silver jewelry for good money. All conditions for remuneration are set out on the main page, we are waiting for your calls.  

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Source: http://metall-discont.ru/informacziya-o-zolote/chernenoe-serebro.html

Blackened silver: history of appearance, manufacturing and processing techniques

Inexperienced jewelry owners confuse blackened silver with a dirty coating on the item. In fact, this is the name given to a special technique for processing precious metal.

Jewelry made from this material is more expensive than ordinary silver. Many will be interested to know when this technique first appeared and how it spread throughout all jewelry workshops.

Historical information

Silver blackening at home began for the first time in the 17th century in the Russian Empire. During this era, craftsmen appeared in the city of Veliky Ustyug who began to make the metal darker. Trade routes from Siberia and other countries passed through this area for a very long time. In almost every courtyard, craftsmen appeared who developed their own techniques for creating jewelry from blackened silver.

All stages from embossing the product to its darkening were carried out manually. Due to the fact that the masters refused to tell the secrets of the procedure to anyone except their family, the craft almost disappeared completely. Then they began to apply the technology on a large scale. In addition to cutlery, furniture and jewelry, they even made silver paintings - portraits, landscapes, still lifes. Even today you can find antique products by Russian craftsmen in specialized and antique stores.

There are several types of metal processing styles:

• Velikiy Ustyug;
• Dagestan;
• Israeli.

Jewelry made in Veliky Ustyug is distinguished by soft designs, floral and naturalistic motifs, and geometric patterns. Dagestan jewelers work with the help of a chisel; they create drawings of strict forms, deep clear engraving, and use shotting together with blackening. The Israelis try to create products in such a form as if they had recently been found by archaeologists during excavations. Their works are distinguished by embossing, which ages them.

Basic technique

Blackening of silver refers to decorative finishing. A special alloy consisting of sulphides of sulfur, lead and copper is applied to the metal. As a result of the procedure, the decoration acquires a deeper and clearer relief, and cutouts, recesses and figures receive a black tint.

The product is heated to a certain temperature, due to which the alloy is firmly bonded to its surface. The decoration becomes more contrasting and patterned, taking on the appearance of an antique. Its price depends on the degree of skill of the jeweler, the complexity of the work and the size of the product.

The blackening of the metal is reminiscent of the champlevé enamel technique. There are three types of creating a blackening mixture:

• German;
• Russian pre-revolutionary;
• modern.

In the first option, the master pours lead into the silver-copper alloy and mixes the solution well. Then the mixture is poured into sulfur powder and stirred until smooth. After this, the mass is poured into cold water. I transfer the frozen pieces into a porcelain mortar and grind them into powder with a pestle. The wet mass can be applied to the product.

According to the old Russian recipe, the solution is not poured into powder, but sulfur is added to the mixture and kneaded. Then the mass is transferred to a cast iron frying pan, forming one solid piece, shaped like a pancake. The lump is crushed into small pieces and melted again, adding flux and sulfur. To achieve high-quality niello, the procedure is repeated three times. After this, it is crushed, sifted and the product is decorated.

The third method was created at the Moscow Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals by one of the professors. Copper sulfide and silver, lead are prepared separately and mixed in certain proportions. Then the mixture is melted, cooled and crushed, and the surface of the jewelry is covered with the finished mass.

Different processing methods

Craftsmen distinguish only two methods of applying blackening material to silver.

Basic technique:

In the first method, a composition is prepared using water, the consistency of which resembles sour cream. Using a miniature jewelry spatula or a special brush, it is applied to the recesses of the silver item. The master waits until the liquid evaporates, then the jewelry is placed in the muffle. Here the niello becomes softer and slowly flows into the holes and recesses, covering the entire object with a pattern.

With the dry method, the surface of the product must be cleaned of contaminants with a special solution, then blackening powder is applied. The product is carefully dried and then fired in a muffle at a temperature of 300 degrees and above.

After this, the decoration is cleaned with a scraper or filed with a file until the design appears. That is, they remove the top layers of niello, getting to the surface of the object itself. This procedure must be carried out very carefully and carefully so as not to capture part of the ornament. The item is then polished and sanded so that the design is fully revealed. Sometimes the background of the product is additionally engraved or shot, that is, strokes, dots are applied to it, and notches are made.

Not all decorations are made carefully. On some, you can observe black spots on light metal or lumps and dots on the black itself. In order to avoid such inaccuracies, craftsmen use a soldering gun. It is used to heat only the reverse side.

Working at home

You can blacken silver at home using materials that every housewife has.

are used :

• using an egg;
• using sulfur ointment;
• with iodine.

For the first procedure you will need a raw egg, a storage container and a strong thread. Silver jewelry is cleaned using an antiseptic. The egg is hard-boiled, shelled and cut into two parts.

Place the finished product in a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid, attach a thread or fishing line to the decoration and place it in the same container. Cover everything tightly, avoiding air getting inside. After half an hour, the product is removed.

During this time, you can open the container and observe the degree of blackening.

The second option involves using sulfur ointment, which can be purchased at any pharmacy. The mixture is applied to those areas of the silver object that need to be darkened. Then the product is heated under the hot stream of a hairdryer.

During this procedure, it will already be noticeable how the silver darkens. After this, you need to polish it with toothpaste and a brush, but this must be done carefully, since you can remove the top layer of the ornament.

The easiest way to gild jewelry is to use iodine. But it can only be used for products with deep relief patterns. Using a cotton swab, apply the liquid to the grooves on the silver. After this, it is dried in direct sunlight. When blackening silver at home with iodine, the product will acquire a rather brown tint.

You can also clean blackened items yourself. It is necessary to place foil, soda, decorations in a container, add water, and boil the solution. This method allows you to brighten the surface of any metal. You can also use washing liquid, shampoo, shower gel. They are poured over the silver and left overnight, then washed under running water in the morning. If the product is broken, it is better to entrust the repair to specialists.

Fake mob

Jewelry made from blackened silver cannot be considered cheap, since its cost exceeds the price of ordinary precious metal. But in jewelry stores they most often offer to purchase oxidized products. They look the same as those covered with niello: in an ancient, noble and elegant way. But the film only protects the metal from temporary tarnishing and mechanical damage. If after a few weeks the black coating disappeared, then it was precisely oxidized silver.

You can get rid of real blackening only by boiling the jewelry in a soda solution. This method is often used by women when they need to clean their silverware. Only washing liquid can remove dirt from the surface of a product with black. To get rid of a thick layer of dust, you need to leave the silver in it for 3-4 days, then rinse it exclusively with cold water.

Use of decorations

Blackened silver has long been popular, especially among adult women. It highlights their noble beauty, elegance and style. Ladies often buy massive earrings and pendants, wide rings and bracelets. On thin items, niello does not look so elegant. Although all the decorations are made in a different style depicting floral or geometric motifs.

Often, products are complemented with precious and semi-precious stones, which set off the dark material. All items are made exclusively from 925 sterling silver - the most durable silver. It does not require frequent cleaning and is not afraid of impacts and scratches.

Products using the blackening technique are suitable for almost any style of clothing, except sports and casual. Dark silver looks especially impressive on role players dressed as mythical creatures or historical figures. One of these styles is called elven; kafas, pendants, and headdresses made of precious metal are suitable for it. Blackened material goes well with evening dresses and summer sundresses. It is not customary to wear it under a business suit or casual wear.

It is recommended to pay attention to your skin color before purchasing. Dark-skinned brunettes are suitable for products made of light metal with dark patterns. For fair-skinned blondes and red-haired women, it is better to purchase jewelry made of black silver with almost white inclusions and patterns.

Source: https://VseoMetallah.ru/serebro/chernenoe-istoriya-poyavleniya

Traditional and homemade methods for creating blackened silver

Black silver is the surface of this metal, treated with silver niello - a special substance that gives it this color. This is an extremely popular option for processing silver products, an analogue of which can be done at home.

Black marble on silver and moon manicure

The reasons for the popularity of products of this kind are clear. On the one hand, dark silver is a fake antique. On the other hand, the combination of black and silver looks wonderful from an aesthetic point of view. It is no coincidence that in the past, silver jewelry was chosen to accompany a mourning (usually black) outfit.

This color combination is known far beyond the jewelry sphere. One of the most popular options for a “lunar” manicure (when it is not the edge, but the base of the nail that stands out) is a black nail with a silver base (or vice versa).

This color of pets is very popular. Miniature Schnauzers have one of the most valuable options - black and silver color. It appeared recently after much effort by dog ​​breeders. And among the British cat breed, the “black marble on silver” color is highly valued, when the silver-black pattern on the cat’s back resembles the wings of a butterfly.

Traditional blackening method

The traditional method of blackening is to coat the surface of a metal with a pattern scratched on it with a special substance. Excess blackening is erased, after which the blackening remains only in the recesses. Subsequent heating firmly fixes the resulting pattern. Silver niello is a mixture of sulfides of silver, copper and lead. The listed metals are fused with sulfur using one method or another. There are 3 traditional ways.

In the “German” method, lead is gradually poured into a copper-silver melt, and then the resulting liquid metal is poured into sulfur powder. The mixture is poured into water, and the hardened pieces are ground in a mortar.

In “Russian”, on the contrary, sulfur is added in portions to the melt. The mixture is poured onto a cast iron frying pan, and after hardening it is melted again with sulfur. This can be repeated several times.

In the way of Professor A.G. Spassky simply melts sulfides of silver, copper and lead in the required proportions. The resulting powder can be applied to silver in different ways.

In the “dry” version, the metal surface is moistened with a solution and finely ground powdered black is applied to it. It is dried and then fired at a temperature of 300-400°C.

In the “wet” version, niello is applied to the metal, diluted with water to the consistency of sour cream. A brush is used for application. After the water has dried, firing is also carried out in a muffle.

In any case, the main idea is that the niello softens when heated and flows into all the recesses on the silver, tightly fixing itself on it. Excess niello is removed from the surface, but it is impossible to remove it from the recesses.

Various methods of blackening silver

Blackened silver is gaining popularity among buyers, since jewelry made from this type of precious metal has an unusual appearance that is distinguished by sophistication and looks like an antique.

Blackened silver ring

The following types of silver are used in jewelry:

• Sterling. This term refers to plain 925 sterling silver without additional plating. Therefore, sterling silver items require care and cleaning to remove tarnish. The test is popular in the manufacture of not only jewelry, but also cutlery.
• Blackened. Outwardly it looks like darkened silver, but the effect is achieved artificially. Does not require special cleaning.
• Oxidized. It looks like a blackened precious metal, but the effect of applying a dark layer is cheaper and short-lived.
• Rhodinated. Applying a layer of rhodium to a product without changing its color. This is done to protect the jewelry from scratches and darkening.

Blackening technique

But blackened silver is considered the most aristocratic. This technique flourished in the seventeenth century. Then, with the help of blackening, they gave the products elaborate patterns. It was considered prestigious to have objects made of this type of precious metal in the house, for example, cigarette cases, cutlery and even furniture.

Due to the difference in the colors of ordinary and blackened silver, maps, engravings depicting nature, and animals were drawn. Sometimes the cost of such products reached several thousand dollars. They are still valued, especially the old handmade ones, and are sold at auctions for incredible amounts of money.

Therefore, buyers today are still interested in the question: what is blackened silver and what is the essence of the technique? The answer is very simple: blackening is a technique in which silver sulphide is deposited on the product. This, of course, can be achieved if you simply do not clean the jewelry, but such blackening will be uneven and cheap. But jewelers carry out this procedure in two ways:

• Mechanical blackening of silver involves mixing graphite with iron oxide and adding turpentine to this mixture. Next, the substance is carefully applied to the silver item or its parts, wait until it dries, and then wipe with a suede rag soaked in alcohol. A variation of the mechanical method is the use of galvanization. In production, solutions with reagents are poured into special baths and two electrodes are placed there. A decoration is attached to one of them, and current is passed through the other. The process is called electrolysis and allows you to evenly apply a layer of blackening to the product. True, this layer will be more superficial and susceptible to abrasion. And also it cannot be applied to individual areas of the decoration; the product turns out to be completely blackened.
• The chemical procedure involves using a powder consisting of a mixture of metals: silver, zinc, lead, sulfur. This powder is poured into parts of the product and then, together with the decoration, is heated to the desired temperature. Next, the powder melts and eats into the product, coloring it black. The procedure involves polishing and polishing the product.

Blackened silver bracelet

The main thing is to remember when choosing jewelry that blackened silver and oxidized silver differ from each other. Oxidized jewelry is a product on which a layer of oxide film has been applied. This method is cheaper and was invented for additional protection of jewelry. The oxide film quickly wears off when worn and is cheaper than a blackened product. They can be distinguished by their appearance: the shade of oxidized silver is darker than that of blackened silver and the details of the decoration have a non-uniform color.

Self-blackening

Blackening silver at home is not difficult. Moreover, this can be easily done using available tools, and your decoration will take on a new look.

1) So, for the first method you will need:

• a container that is hermetically sealed;
• egg;
• thread.

The egg should be hard boiled. Next, peel it and cut it into two parts. Place the halves in a container, and hang a silver item from the lid of the container. Blackening will be formed due to the action of hydrogen sulfide on the jewelry, but the blackening of silver may be uneven, so it is recommended to change the position of the jewelry from time to time. If there are stones on the jewelry, wipe them while blackening. The method itself is harmless, but the inlay may darken slightly if it is not wiped.

2) For the next method you need to purchase sulfur ointment. Then apply it to the product or those fragments that should later turn black. Apply a hairdryer with warm air to the jewelry and you will see how it changes color, becoming black. After the procedure, polish the product.

3) You can also apply blackness using iodine. This technique is only suitable for jewelry with relief. Iodine is applied with a cotton swab and dried in the sun. It is best to polish finished blackened silver using a brush and toothpaste.

Only gentle methods are suitable for cleaning blackened silver. Do not use acids or boil the product. If you want to clean your jewelry, simply prepare a soapy solution and add a pinch of baking soda to it. The water should be warm and the decoration should lie there for about 20 minutes. It is forbidden to rub blackened silver with soda or tooth powder; it can damage the blackening.

Products made from blackened silver are more solemn than ordinary ones. Therefore, it is appropriate to wear them at receptions or holidays. For everyday use, it is better to choose sterling silver options. And carefully monitor and care for blackened products.

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Source: https://DedPodaril.com/serebro/vidy/chernenoe-serebro.html

Silver blackening: exquisite and durable

Niello (not to be confused with denigration:) is an ancient technique of decorating a wide variety of gold and silver objects by giving them a black color. After using this technique, the surface texture of the object becomes more contrasting and richer, be it an ornamental design or relief details. True, it is also used to hide minor defects, such as connecting seams.

Silver with blackening is a classic of the genre for antique jewelry, or with “traditional” motifs. Briefly, the essence of blackening (English: blackening, blackened silver) is this: a “black” alloy of silver, copper, lead and sulfur is smelted into the base metal.

The alloy for blackening is melted into recesses (0.3 mm), applied by choice - engraving, chasing, etching the product or gouging out. When heated, a chemical reaction occurs between the silver and the melted mixture. As a result, in addition to new decorative properties, the blackened product also receives practical ones: it does not fade and does not require special care.

The palette of niello is wide - from silver-gray to black-velvet tones.

Niello is very beautiful on both high-grade gold and silver. On copper, low-grade silver, and brass, the niello crumbles and falls off.

However, it is extremely difficult to produce a high-quality, “non-flying” composition of niello for gold, which is why niello on this noble metal is rare. In common practice since ancient times, silver blackening is most often used - elegant and durable.

Well, what if you still want gold? By protecting the areas with ready-made niello with a special varnish, you can gild the silver - which is not a solution!

Silver blackening techniques

Perhaps the technique of blackening metals is similar to the champlevé enamel technique. But, unlike store-bought enamel compositions, you need to prepare the black one yourself (and immediately apply and fire it).

Factory galvanization is everyday life of modern technology, but not so long ago the methods of blackening silver were different. Let's mention three:

• so-called Germanic
• pre-revolutionary Russian and
• modern Moscow

In the “Germanic” recipe, lead is slowly poured into the copper-silver alloy, stirring well. The ternary alloy is poured into heated sulfur powder with constant stirring, stirring to ensure good interaction of the parts. Then the mixture is poured into water. The frozen pieces of niello are finely ground in a porcelain mortar in the required dose - only fresh, wet niello mass can be applied to the product.

According to the “Russian” recipe, the ternary alloy is not poured into sulfur powder, but sulfur is added to the alloy in portions, after which the finished niello is poured not into water, but into a cast-iron frying pan. This solid “pancake” is crushed into pieces and melted again with the addition of sulfur and flux. And so on up to three times, if you need extra-class rabble. The finished mobile is pounded in mortars and sifted through a fine sieve.

The third is the author’s recipe of Professor A. G. Spassky (Moscow Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals); prepare silver sulfide, copper sulfide and lead sulfide separately and alloy them together in the required proportions. Then they melt and cool in a strictly defined way.

Blackening of jewelry: methods of applying black

The niello is applied both dry and wet. When dry , the surface is moistened with the necessary solution and finely ground black powder is applied. Carefully dry, fire in a muffle (300-400 ° C). With the wet method, the composition is applied in the form of a creamy slurry diluted with water.

The mixture is applied thickly and tightly into the recesses with a brush or spatula. Waiting for the water to evaporate. Afterwards, when heated in the muffle, the niello softens, melts, flows into the design and covers the object. This is a sign to remove the item from the stove. Small decorations can be melted with a soldering gun. The heat flow is concentrated on the base metal, and it is better to heat it from the reverse side.

When the mass melts, heating is completed.

Now the product is “cleaned up” by scraping or filing with a file (“removal”) until a pattern appears. The main thing is not to grab or cut down the ornament itself. Then the product is ground and polished, revealing the entire pattern. Often the background of the object is additionally engraved or shot (shotting is the application of dots, strokes or notches on the surface of the metal).

Understanding the process will help you look critically at the product in the store. For example, you may be alarmed by the unevenness of the background - bumps and spots on the black background. Or, conversely, splashes of black on light areas; in a word, negligence, a universal “vice”)).

Blackening silver at home

There are many simplified, even home-made methods (in case you need to blacken not a vase or dish, but a chain and ring).

The Internet is filled with a variety of recipes, from boiled eggs (this method does not harm the inserts in the product) to sulfur pharmaceutical ointment (coat thoroughly, dry with a hot hairdryer until it flows, when it reaches a black-violet color, rinse and dry), or fixative for fixing photographs.

It is advised to use iodine (then you don’t even need a hairdryer: coat it with iodine, leave it on the iodine impregnation and polish it after drying). There are also videos. A separate branch snakes around the forum of jewelers, whose texts are similar to the instructions of poisoners. By the way, cooking mobile (in the language of the profession - “liver of sulfur”) is extremely smelly and harmful.

“Northern Chern” from Veliky Ustyug and Dagestan “Kubachi” - the flagships of silver blackening

The production of classic blackened silver is represented by two “magnates”:

Ustyuzhan, as a rule, is distinguished by the softness of the design, it seems to be carpal, very naturalistic; characteristic plant motif. Bracelets “For good luck”, “Faith, Hope, Love” are exceptions; carry geometric and symbolic ornaments.

Examples of jewelry made from blackened silver from the Severnaya Chern factory:

       
The Kubachi people, on the contrary, are inclined towards geometry and work energetically with their chisels; their engraving is clear and deep. Blackening and shotting is a common background technique.

Examples of work with blackening at the Kubachi jewelry enterprise:

Both northerners and Caucasians present both solid (in the form of wide and narrow hoops) and assembled (in the form of several figured patterned plates) bracelets, earrings, rings and brooches. Both here and there offer blackened gold-plated jewelry. Both brands pay tribute to both traditional and free-form art styles. The pricing policy is also generally similar.

Modern niello on silver: different styles and techniques

Blackened jewelry can also be purchased at regular jewelry chains. The main thing is to find out whether the jewelry company whose product you are trying on uses exactly this technique. For example, silver is blackened to produce quite original models, the Belgorod “Yumila” and the St. Petersburg “Yaspis” :

Israeli jewelry in ethnic style deserves a separate topic - Israeli craftsmen often use blackening, embossing and other techniques “with history,” making their products look like those found in excavations. In Russia (at least in large cities) it is now quite easy to find products from this country - for example, the Deno brand (essentially uniting various Israeli brands) or the Tamir Zuman brand.

Is this really blackening?

Blackened silver is not at all the poor relative in the jewelry family. In price per gram, it is significantly more expensive than ordinary silver. But the only way to find rabble among oxidized silver (numerous, but much less “persistent” relatives of rabble) is to threaten the seller with a silver bullet. Oxidation is essentially an oxide film that protects the metal from tarnishing and imparts “beautiful” properties. The niello that “came off” from the decoration was apparently oxidation.

For comparison: on the left is the decoration with oxidation, on the right with blackening

You can “drive away” blackening to some extent if you boiled blackened silver in a soda solution, which housewives often practice with cutlery. By the way, one of the gentlest ways to clean jewelry is to fill it with shampoo in a glass and forget about it for a couple of days. Perfectionists may use "fairies".

How to wear blackened silver items?

By choosing thoughtfully, you can decorate yourself to your liking: for a dark-skinned woman - light silver with a dark pattern, for a “white queen” - a silver-icy pattern on a blackened background.

And in the “elven”, and in the “office”, and in casual style, such decorations can “work perfectly”. In addition, the mob is not afraid of chipping. But if the jewelry is dear to you, then it is better to handle it carefully.

JEWELRY MANUFACTURING |Jewelry techniques - types

Enamel jewelry | Hot and cold enamel technique | Cloisonné technique | Georgian cloisonne enamel | Rostov enamel

Artistic metal etching. Rhodium plating of silver. Ruthenium coating. Gilding of jewelry | Artistic metal chasing. Metal engraving. Metal stamping | Filigree technique (filigree)

Source: http://juvelirum.ru/tehniki-obrabotki-yuvelirnyh-izdelij/chernenie-serebra-izyskanno-i-dolgovechno/

Blackened silver. What it is? — Comfort of Your Home

Recently, various blackened silver products have been presented on the market. This metal is durable, inexpensive, and it is suitable for any age. Silver itself (in its pure form) is practically not used by jewelers. Craftsmen choose its alloys to make jewelry.

Blackened silver jewelry

Copper is mainly added to silver alloys. As a result, the product becomes hard, acquires good anti-corrosion characteristics, and improves its appearance. In the Russian Federation, jewelers work only with several samples of silver.

The sample is a mark, a passport of the product. She talks about the amount of pure silver in the product. 925 standard suggests 92.5% of the metal itself, the remaining 7.5% being various impurities.

There are several types of silver, such as blackened silver.

Varieties of silver

Silver has a white-silver color. At the moment, the following types of this metal are distinguished: filigree, matte, blackened, coin. Each species has its own specific characteristics.

Matte silver does not have bright patterns. To obtain it, various emulsions are applied to the raw materials. The use of emulsions allows you to make the surface rough and give it additional charm. The product turns out to be original, beautiful, unusual.

Distinctive characteristics of filigree silver are a variety of openwork patterns.

Since silver has high malleability and strength, thin threads are made, giving the product a beautiful and unusual design.

Making filigree silver requires professionalism and takes quite a lot of time. Jewelers highlight background and openwork filigree. For an openwork look, a through pattern is implied.

Sterling silver is the main material used in jewelry. This material has a smooth surface, silver-white color, excellent strength, and a long service life. The sterling material contains 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper.

Features of blackening

This technology is aimed at obtaining unusual patterns on the product. A special technology has been developed that produces blackened silver at home.

First, the jewelry is engraved or minted, then a special solution is applied to it, including oxides of lead, copper, and silver. The surface of the product must be clean; all grease stains must first be removed from it.

To melt the solution, the product is heated. As a result, a beautiful black pattern appears on the silver surface.

Benefits of blackened silver

Such products have numerous advantages. This material does not require additional cleaning and retains its aesthetic appearance. Such an alloy also has certain limitations. Boiling with soda, for example, removes blackening.

Dishes created using this technology have long been used to store valuables, amulets, and elixirs. In ancient times, the bactericidal properties of blackened silver were considered a manifestation of magic.

People sincerely believed that blackened silver protected against failure and evil spirits.

Metal oxidation

Currently, many products similar to natural blackening are made using oxidation. Today it is difficult to buy real blackened silver. The jewelry offered on jewelry store shelves is mostly created by coating a silver item with a thin oxide film.

Over time, it wears off and the jewelry loses its shine. Real earrings made of blackened silver have a fairly high price. When the cost of 1 gram of ordinary silver is 30-40 rubles, the price for 1 gram of blackening increases 10 times.

Such jewelry has a high cost due to manual labor and individual work of the master.

Useful tips

When choosing a product made of blackened silver, you need to carefully inspect the jewelry, check the presence and quality of the mark, and also get acquainted with the accompanying documents for the product.

In Rus' there was a belief according to which silver dishes with blackening protect the family life of the owner of the house. If household items were lost, great misfortune awaited the owner of the house and its inhabitants.

Blackened silver was used to make coins, rings, earrings, bracelets, and amulets.

Currently, jewelers are trying to combine silver in jewelry with semi-precious or precious stones. Natural emeralds, rubies, garnets, and pearls are used as such “additives.”

If gold adds age to a person, then silver, on the contrary, rejuvenates. It can be worn by women of any age. Jewelry with precious inserts is suitable for special occasions: receptions, presentations.

For everyday wear, you can choose items made of blackened silver that do not have inserts.

Reviews

Women who have purchased jewelry made of blackened silver primarily note its aesthetic characteristics. Customers are pleased that the product does not require constant cleaning, and there are no allergic reactions from the ring or earrings when worn. Lovers of silver jewelry are convinced that items with blackening are the best choice.

Owners of blackened silver accessories note their influence on their mood. Rings and earrings made with blackening protect against unkind glances and help fight troubles. Women who wore such products for a long time found their personal happiness.

Ladies of “Balzac age” note that items made of blackened silver make them young and beautiful again.

Source: https://yutvoegodoma.ru/chernenoe-serebro-chto-eto-takoe.html

Products made of blackened silver with an aged effect

More and more often, items made of blackened silver began to appear on the jewelry market, and many people do not even suspect the existence of this type of metal. It has great strength and looks organic when worn by people of any age and gender. Also, few people know, but now jewelers all over the world practically do not use pure metal; craftsmen use its alloys, one of them is blackened silver.

Types of silver alloys

Now on the Russian precious metals market there are several main types of silver alloys:
Matte. From the name it is clear that such silver does not reflect and does not have bright patterns; jewelry made from it will not shine in the sun.

To obtain a matte surface, various chemicals are added to the metal, due to which the metal slightly changes its properties.

It is with the admixture of emulsions that the surface becomes rough rather than smooth, which gives some originality to such products.

1. Filigree. As a rule, this option has openwork on the products. The design is made from thin threads, which can be obtained due to the pliability and strength of silver. As a rule, this type of product has a fairly high price tag, due to the complexity of the work, which requires professionalism and skill.
2. Sterling (coin). The most common type of silver goods on the Russian market at the moment. These jewels are silver in color, last a long time and shine pleasantly in the light.
3. Rhodinated. An expensive method of treating silver with another precious metal belonging to the platinum group. What is rhodium plated silver: the item is coated with a thin layer of rhodium, which gives it strength, scratch resistance, and a “rich” appearance. The irradiated product is often mistaken for white gold due to its noble shine and brightness. Such decorations are considered the best. If the ring is rhodium plated, it will never tarnish or oxidize.
4. Blackened silver. Obtained through a sulfur chemical reaction of a metal. Silver with blackening looks like it has aged, darkened from long wear, but this effect is achieved artificially.

What is blackening

Most of the items sold as silver in the market are actually blackened silver. In order for the jewelry to acquire a more durable structure and become harder, jewelers use blackening technology. What is silver tarnishing? Mainly copper (or other stronger metals) is added to pure metal. As a result of this treatment, the metal becomes more durable, resistant to environmental changes (anti-corrosion properties are improved), and also acquires an aesthetic appearance.

Domestic craftsmen work with several types of silver - mainly 925. The sample on your jewelry is evidence of the quality of the metal; it indicates the percentage of precious metal and impurities in the alloy. 925 standard means that the jewelry contains 92.5% silver and 7.5% other impurities.

Blackening technology is used to create jewelry:

• ring (ring);
• chain;
• bracelet;
• earrings made of blackened silver, etc.

But that's not all its use. In the 17th century, in addition to earrings and rings with blackened silver, dishes, snuff boxes and engravings began to be produced using this technology. They inked literally everything: from spoons and forks to furniture in the house.

Masters of that time depicted paintings and landscapes on silver products using blackening. You can still find very expensive examples of those years, which are real works of art, the value of which is now only increasing.

Nowadays, craftsmen create mostly only jewelry from blackened silver in order to make them stronger and give them a special antique charm.

Mechanical blackening

This is a simple way to blacken metal, requiring only graphite, iron oxide and turpentine. All ingredients are mixed to a paste and applied to a ring covered with a pattern. Then you need to wait and remove excess mixture from the product. At the end, all the protuberances are wiped with alcohol or another antiseptic and the effect of old noble silver is obtained.

One of the varieties of the mechanical method is electrolysis. In large industries, a special chemical solution is poured into the container where the silver items are stored and two electrodes are lowered into it.

Although this type of processing is faster and more profitable for production scales, it also has disadvantages.

After such blackening, the coating cannot boast of durability and will wear off much faster than when using the first method or the chemical method, which is described below.

Chemical method

This is a reliable and durable, and at the same time simple method for blackening silver. Its essence: a silver ring and metal powder from a special mixture are taken and heated together to the required temperature. When exposed to heat, the powder eats into the ring and turns it black. After completing the procedure, the master polishes and grinds the surface of the protruding parts and all necessary parts, making them silver again.

It was this method that has long been used by craftsmen to tarnish silver, creating stunning works that have been preserved for centuries and still stand in some homes. There is no point in talking about the strength and durability of blackening; it is obvious that in this regard, chemical treatment is the best option.

First way

For this method you will need:

• egg;
• sealed container;
• thread.

First of all, clean the silver with alcohol or any antiseptic to get the best effect. After this, boil a hard-boiled egg, cut into 2 parts, after removing the shell.

Then you should hang the decorations on a rope or thin fishing line in the container where the cut egg will already lie, and close the container so that air does not penetrate there. After half an hour or a little longer, but no more than an hour, you can take it out.

The process must be monitored to achieve the desired blackening effect and not to overdo it. Then, in your opinion, the product has become what you wanted to see, you can open the container and take out the product.

Second way

Another method is not so simple. To implement it, you need sulfur ointment, which is sold at the pharmacy. The ointment is applied to the jewelry or to those surfaces that should darken, then a stream of hot air is directed to this place. Under the influence of a hair dryer, the silver will begin to turn black before your eyes. Upon completion of the procedure, the product is polished with regular toothpaste and a brush. You just need to be extremely careful not to accidentally remove the coating.

Third way

Perhaps the most democratic option. All you need is iodine and accuracy, but this method is only suitable for jewelry with relief. Iodine should be applied with a cotton swab and very carefully, regularly removing excess. After this treatment, you should place the jewelry in the sun to strengthen the blackening effect.

Cleaning blackened silver

Blackened silver cannot be cleaned using traditional methods such as boiling or acid treatment. If the product requires cleaning, it is best to prepare a warm soapy solution with a small amount of soda and place the product there for 20 minutes.

Chic blackened items will be a wonderful decoration for your outfit at a special event; they will attract attention and focus the eye on you. Such jewelry should be reserved specifically for unique occasions and should be looked after very carefully.

Source: https://ProDragmetally.ru/dragotsennye-metally/serebro/izdeliya-iz-chernenogo.html