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Patination day for silver! Hard boiled egg method.

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kiwipaul's loves59 of 304Amy Sandheim Silver NecklaceAntique gunmetal, 14k gold and pearls lorgnette and long chain, Carter Howe & Co mark.
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    Posted 7 years ago

    kyratango
    (439 items)

    I previously posted this ring (link in first comment below), it arrived fully polished...

    In former post I showed the flame method result, but after months wearing it, this patina went off (I don't take off my rings when washing hands...).

    I tried long time ago the boiled egg method (eggs are rich in sulfur, hence their smell when hard boiled!) but the result didn't fetch my expectations!

    Internet now allows access to so many demonstrations!

    The right way to get a good and quick result is:

    Degrease carefully the jewelry with alcohol moist tissue.

    Boil an egg for 20 minutes,

    Remove the shell and the yolk, (no mess to wash afterward in the crevices of your silver!)

    Cut it into small pieces,

    Put these egg bits still warm in a Ziploc bag with the silver pieces you want to blacken,

    Check and shake regularly the bag, usually 15 minutes is enough to get a sufficient patination.

    Remove your oxidized pieces from the bag and rub with an old used silvercloth.

    Et voilà!

    I put other jewelry in the same bag with the egg pieces immediately after removing the first ones, it worked fine too!

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    Comments

    1. kyratango kyratango, 7 years ago
      First attempt to restore patina with flame:
      https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/184033-how-to-restore-patina-gone-on-silver-rin
    2. kyratango kyratango, 7 years ago
      Pic #1 after 15 minutes in the bag
      Pic #2 the bag with pieces of eggs (no yolk!)
      Pic #3 the result after buffing with silvercloth
      Pic #4 the ring as received, overcleaned...

      Personally, I really prefer with patina, much more details pop out!
    3. shareurpassion shareurpassion, 7 years ago
      Who knew!?! This is great info and you're right about the internet and finding videos for just about everything but I'm so glad I got to see this post! Did it freak you out when you saw it looking so brassy as in first pic? could be just the photo though. I find this method better than the heat too, but have to say, I've been watching silversmiths make silver jewelry, I have to figure out how I would link one here for you, but it can be seen anywhere on you tube I suppose. I find it so interesting...I love watching glass blowers too. And lastly, I don't remove my rings either, can't say that's the greatest but I do the same. Thanks for the info Kyra...love your avitar!
    4. Agram.m Agram.m, 7 years ago
      What a find thanks, and also for this beauty!
    5. kyratango kyratango, 7 years ago
      Thanks Share, for your kind comment.
      The brassy color is part of the patina's evolution! Anyway, with this method, a good polishing could clean off an indesirable color... I not yet dare to try liver of sulfur, as it seems more permanent...

      Marga, thank you for your lovely visit and interest :-)

      Valentino, thank you too! When I first had a try with the eggs, the method wasn't detailed and I missed surely something as it didn't work so effectively :-/
      For plain, non ornate, silver pieces I prefer them bright!

      Many thanks for your loves, all 14 lovers, and love back to you :-D
    6. kyratango kyratango, 7 years ago
      Yay Gary! Ate the egg and drank numerous wine glasses to pass on the taste... ;-D
      You provided the link where I found the right method!!!
      Thank you for your visit and comment, makes my day even more enjoyable ;-)
    7. vintagelamp vintagelamp, 7 years ago
      Wonderful! You always amaze!
    8. kyratango kyratango, 7 years ago
      Vintagelamp! Glad you are able to post again, and visit my post, leaving such a kind comment!

      Many thank Phil for your love!
    9. rhineisfine rhineisfine, 1 year ago
      Just wanted to add that someone recently did this on YouTube with controls, egg white vs. egg yolk, etc., and compared the results. The result was indeed that the egg whites patinate more effectively than the yolks. (Most people will tell you it's the yolks that are more effective!). Links below for the curious :)
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ5zN6SiNTw

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