How to clear blackened silver from blackening?

Of all types of silver, blackened silver attracts the most attention. Products made from such a precious metal are of particular beauty and sophistication. Many owners of such jewelry and interior items are wondering how to clear blackened silver from blackening.

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The history of blackened silver

There are two types of blackened silver. The first of them is formed in a natural way, and the other - in the factory (by the hands of a jeweler). It is known that blackened silver is a metal that is made using a special technology.

The methods of its creation became known and widely used 500 years before our time in ancient Russia. Masters thus tried to give strength to silver, to decorate with delicate work patterns. The deliberate change in the appearance of the precious metal became widespread in Russia in the 17th century.

This metal gained great popularity in Veliky Ustyug. It was here that folk craft originated. The State Ethnographic Museum presents an extensive exhibition of products by craftsmen from Ustyug. The most famous exhibit is a cast cross, which is made of silver and not only blackened, but also gilded.

This type of jewelry was very popular in the European part of the country in the 17th and 18th centuries. It has become very fashionable and prestigious to have utensils, cigarette cases, snuff-boxes, cutlery, prints from such material. Silver products depicted cities, hunting paintings, geographical maps, as well as floral and geometric ornaments. Due to the complexity of the decorated patterns, the technology of how to clean silver has also been constantly improved.

Today you can find priceless pieces that are real works of art, respectively - they are very expensive.

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Blackening Methods

Over hundreds of years, a lot of ways to create dark patterns on silver products have accumulated. In order to make silver black, it is necessary to achieve the deposition effect on the surface of the silver sulfide product. You can get it in the following ways.

Mechanical

This is the easiest way. To implement this method, you will need graphite mixed with iron oxide and turpentine. The slurry is applied to the silver products and waiting for complete drying, and then remove the mixture from the surface with a soft brush or suede cloth. The protruding places are wiped with alcohol. The result is an artificially aged silver product.

Important! This method is used by jewelers to darken a small number of products. If the process is carried out in large quantities, then galvanic baths are used, where metal oxides are deposited onto the product by electrolysis. Along the perimeter of the tank create one discharge, and on the alloy - another. Being attracted, plus and minus create the final product.

The disadvantage of the mechanical method is the minimal adhesion to the surface of the decoration. Blackened silver rings, necklaces and earrings are easily restored to their original appearance. Therefore, it is easiest to clear such blackened silver from blackening.

Chemical

This method is the most effective and durable. Its principle is to fill the engraved parts of the product with a mixture of silver sulfide. A mixture of oxides is placed on the base, then heated, allowing them to adhere to the product.In the recess of the pattern, powder is placed in different proportions from:

• Silver.
• Copper.
• Lead.
• Sulfur.

Important! The silver item must be heated until the mixture dissolves and turns black. After processing, the product is polished and polished. As a result, dark patterns of any complexity are obtained against a light background.

Blackening silver at home - method number 1

You can blacken silver at home. For this purpose, you will need affordable components that can be found in any home:

• Egg.
• Thin thread (fishing line or rope) ..
• Tightly closing plastic container.

Proceed as follows:

1. Thoroughly clean the silver from contamination before the process.
2. Boil the egg and cut it in half.
3. Place the egg parts in the container.
4. Hang a silver thing on a rope for blackening.
5. Leave the jewelry under a hermetically sealed lid for 30 minutes or longer.
6. Turn the product from time to time for even blackness.

Principle of action: in sealed conditions, the product is surrounded by hydrogen sulfide vapors that are released from food. The resulting coating is very stable and durable.

Important! This method can also be used to blacken jewelry with precious stones, but after the procedure they must be thoroughly wiped so that the stones do not lose their natural luster and brightness.

The blackening of silver at home - method number 2

For the blackening procedure, iodine solution can be used.

Follow this plan:

1. Use a cotton swab to apply iodine to the silver product.
2. Leave the subject to dry in the sun.
3. After the appearance of black color, polish the product with a cloth with extruded toothpaste. In convex places silver will become light, and in hard-to-reach places it will remain dark.

Important! Embossed ornaments with various intricate patterns after this method will look great, but do not expose flat products to such processing.

The blackening of silver at home - method number 3

Sulfur ointment will also help to give silver an old look and the right shade. For this:

1. Coat the jewelry completely with sulfuric ointment.
2. Heat a hairdryer with hot air. As it warms up, a black and purple hue will appear, which means that the process was successful.
3. Polish the product and enjoy the unique charm.

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How to clean silver with blackening?

Blackened silver has a number of advantages, and the main one is that the product does not need to be constantly cleaned, because the charm of aged products lies in the fact that they do not require polishing. However, items made of blackened silver must be periodically cleaned of accumulated dust and dirt.

Important! Do not use harsh chemicals, including ammonia, for cleaning. Do not boil blackened jewelry and do not polish with sharp abrasive particles.

Let's look at a few simple and affordable ways to clean silver with blackening at home:

• To clean earrings, a ring, a chain made of such silver, use a soap solution with a pinch of soda. Immerse the product in the solution for 15-20 minutes. Severe contamination during this time will go away, and you just have to rinse the jewelry well under warm water and wipe it dry.

Important! The appearance of silver products will not be affected, even if you often use this method.

• Slice the peeled raw potatoes and fill them with cold water. Leave the decoration in the potato pot for 3-4 hours, then rinse thoroughly and wipe it with a soft cloth or flannel.
• Add 15 ml of soda to a glass of water and rinse the silver item in this solution.
• Wipe areas of the product with an eraser rubber and dirt will go away instantly.

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How to clear blackened silver from blackening?

If you still decide to clear blackened silver from blackening, then for this purpose you can use the following recipes:

• Boiling products with foil and soda.Take a pan of the required volume, cover its bottom and walls with a layer of food foil and place objects inside. Sprinkle the surface of the products with baking soda (3-4 tbsp. L.), Cover with an additional sheet of foil. Pour boiling water into the pan and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat, leave the pan for another 15 minutes. After the cleaning procedure, rinse the product in plenty of running water.
• Use table salt, baking soda, foil and dishwashing detergent. In a container sent by food foil, fold silver jewelry in one layer. Sprinkle items with a mixture of salt and soda and add a small amount of dishwashing detergent. Pour boiling water over everything, and after 10 minutes, rinse the jewelry under a stream of cool water.
• Silver can be cleaned from blackening with ammonia mixed with a pinch of chalk. Cooked slurry from the components, apply to the product. Brush the decoration with an old toothbrush with very soft bristles. Rinse items with plenty of cold water after processing.
• Mix ammonia, tooth powder and baking soda in equal proportions. Using a soft brush, treat the surface of the product with the product obtained. After the blackness disappears, rinse the object with running water.
• To make silver jewelry lighter, use a solution of citric acid (100 g of acid in 400 ml of water). Dip the product into the solution and boil in a water bath for 30 minutes. After cleaning, wash and dry objects.

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Stock footage

Stylish silver jewelry, especially with black elements, are ideal for special celebrations and important events. They are suitable for both a classic dress and a suit, in harmony with any clothing except sportswear. But to keep your jewelry as long as possible, store them in dark boxes where the sun does not penetrate, and sometimes give them the rest that all jewelry needs. Such accessories are worthy of respect for themselves and admiration from everyone around.