How to Make Silver Different Colors by Electrochemical Anodizing.

Without using paint you can give a silver surface various colors by anodizing it.

WARNING: Anodizing solution is corrosive, so wear gloves at all times when working with it. It is also somewhat toxic, so keep it away from children and pets too.

To make the solution, just mix two tablespoons of sodium hydroxide (lye) and one tablespoon of sulfur with half a cup of water (~100mL). Stir for about ten minutes until the solution turns orange. Then filter the solution to remove excess sulfur.

You can get sulfur from online sources (including ebay) or from some drugstores. Sodium hydroxide is the primary component of some types of drain cleaners. But read the label carefuly, drain cleaners come in many types and alot of them don’t have sodium hydroxide. You can also buy sodium hydroxide online, it’s sold for making home biodiesel or homemade soap.

After you made your solution, thoroughly clean your silver article and place it into the solution. Attach the positive terminal of a 3V battery to the article and dip the negative wire into the solution. Move the negative wire around the solution to give the silver an even coat, or keep it in a single spot to apply rainbow effects.

What’s happening is the electric current is oxidizing the silver and causing it to pick up the sulfur dissolved into the solution. As it does this it thickens and alters the way light reflects off the surface. What color of light is reflected is determined by how thick the sulfide layer is. The thickness of the layer is determined by how long you anodize it. So you can control the color by controlling the time you apply the current.

The process can be used to tint silver items to give them an antique look or simply just to make them exotic colors.

Practice before you do this on something valuable.

If you make a horrible mistake, you can restore the silver by electrochemistry at this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGCx9HZwYBo

Always use batteries for this process to keep safe. Also don’t use higher voltage batteries, you might end up “burning” a layer of silver off your item and ruining delicate designs.

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Duration : 0:3:37

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http://QualityVintageEngagementRings.com – Vintage engagement and wedding rings are beautiful pieces of art. Vintage Rings contain timeless characteristics that will never go out of style. Watch this video to learn more about vintage engagement and wedding rings.

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www.iantiqueonline.com
antique silver
How to clean and polish antique silver

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Whether you’re looking for a signature piece of jewelry that will perfectly complement your style or you are shopping for a friend or a loved one, you should not forget the elegance and allure of a piece of silver jewelry.  Silver has long been considered a classic gift for either men and women and in terms of versatility, silver simply cannot surpassed.

Unlike gold, which is soft and can be easily damaged, but it does make an excellent choice for someone who is constantly on the go.  Silver can stand up to more of a beating than softer metals and will stay in prime condition under trying circumstances.  Along with its more durable nature, silver is also less expensive than gold, though by no means is it less beautiful.

Silver also suits a wide variety of skin tones.  While gold and copper suit those with more ruddy complexions, silver brings out the best tones in skin.  Rather than shouting for attention, silver offers a complementing tone to skin and clothing, accenting the beauty that is already there.  Silver can polish up to a high shine, or if you are looking for more subtlety, you can find pieces of silver jewelry that have a lower, buffed glimmer.  In this way as well, silver can match your personal taste and your style perfectly.

When looking for a piece of silver jewelry, think about what it is for.  Is it for a young girl who has just graduated?  Are you rewarding yourself for completing a long trip?  Silver is very malleable and one of the most popular gifts for women are silver charm bracelets.  With a wide variety of charms available, you can make a truly meaningful statement to the recipient.  Silver is also popular in rings and if you have a liking for the stones with cool colors, like sapphires or emeralds, a silver ring can set them off beautifully.

If you are looking for a pendent, silver is an excellent choice.  Many silversmiths are also artists and with a bit of searching, you can have a lovely piece of one-of-a-kind jewelry made that will essentially be a small, wearable work of art. 

When you are shopping for a piece of silver jewelry, you can find some truly wonderful pieces.  You can find aggressively modern art pendants, or perfect reproductions of silver jewelry from the Renaissance and the Victorian period.  A quick look in any history book will tell you that silver has been a popular metal for kings and queens; when you wear silver, you are in excellent company!

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It’s that time of year again. Spring is in the air and so are wedding bells, which makes wedding sets a popular pick among many jewelry shoppers. With June being one of the most popular months for a wedding, that doesn’t leave much time to save thousands of dollars for the wedding set of your dreams. But that’s okay because many couples are opting for the beauty and affordability of sterling silver and cubic zirconia wedding sets to tie the knot in a more practical way. You can always upgrade to genuine diamond wedding sets in the future, but cubic zirconia, especially when set in sterling silver, is the budget conscious choice for many newlyweds who don’t want to break the bank.

Cubic zirconia is cut and measured exactly as a genuine diamond, which means it has the same look but without inclusions or cloudy visuals. Sterling silver, which is recognized as a precious metal, will last a lifetime with the proper care and is often the choice for those who enjoy the look of platinum or white gold without the price tag. Put the two together and you have a lot of sparkle for your money and a bold presence that everyone will envy. The most common cuts for cubic zirconia wedding sets are round, marquise, pear and emerald.

When it comes to the spring forecast, experts are predicting a lot of sparkle for the bride-to-be. The upcoming trends suggest that vintage is back in a big way, which lends even more truth to the old saying that history is destined to repeat itself. As many brides walk down the aisle this year, they are going to be doing so with wedding sets that replicate favorite designs of yesteryear. From total vintage and antique styles to a combination of classic meets modern, you may want to take a look at jewelry sets that possess an estate look.

One of the most important considerations when purchasing wedding sets is that of size. Purchasing the best fit will be easy enough for now, but what happens if the rings need to be resized in the future? Many may not realize this, but sterling silver can be sized up or down according to the wearer’s needs. Depending on the width and gram weight, sterling silver rings are commonly able to be resized by either one or two sizes. It’s important to have this option for the future and makes the choice of sterling silver wedding sets even more practical for many newlyweds.

In conclusion, wedding sets are a very personal choice and should reflect both the bride and groom’s individual taste. From polished bands to those inlaid with cubic zirconia, sterling silver wedding rings are available in a variety of choices. Engagement rings are available in an equally large selection to accommodate every bride’s taste. Diamonds are stunning, but cubic zirconia wedding sets can offer the same look for a lot less money and, when starting a new life together, this is an important consideration.

Melanie Spark
http://www.articlesbase.com/relationships-articles/sterling-silver–120855.html

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Most people who have said they were bridesmaids in the past all say that they never wore the jewelry again and it's just collecting dust. So why do brides (and those advising them on gifts to give) keep insisting that is the only acceptable gift and that something more personal that fits their hobbies and personalities is not acceptable?

Yeah I don't get it either. I only have two bridesmaids and god bless them they have done most the planning. I'm giving mine and engraved Ipod nano each in our wedding colours. No point getting them jewelry they will never wear.

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yes they are, old vintage pieces look great and trendy!

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Costume Jewelry by VVA

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Determine the value! Find out what it’s worth with Vintage Vixen Antiques`

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Antique engagement rings are a unique choice for the vintage-loving lady. Choose an antique engagement ring with tips from a jeweler in this free wedding rings video.

Duration : 0:0:58

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