How to Use Liver of Sulfur to Darken Your Copper Jewelry

[@sarajanehaven]

Thanks for the demo and especially the tip about checking the hardness of the stone before oxidizing.

[@ellieshandcrafted]

Sure thing! :)

[@marywalter8262]

Thank you!

[@ellieshandcrafted]

You're welcome! 😊

[@angelabatstone2975]

Hi, I love your work, and I have a couple of questions about oxidizing. First, do you use any kind of wax to shine the piece up or put a sealant on when it's all done to protect the metal. And what stops the copper from turning someone's skin green??

[@ellieshandcrafted]

I generally don't apply a sealant unless someone asks me to, but if I do, I will usually use Renaissance Wax. Sealants can help keep someone's skin from turning green, but it will wear off over time and will need to be reapplied on occasion. I hope that answers your question. :)

[@johncalabrese4449]

would love to see links on some common products you use so you can get sales credit.

[@ellieshandcrafted]

I try to put them in the video descriptions as well as on my blog. :) Is there anything in particular you may be looking for?

[@johncalabrese4449]

@@ellieshandcrafted sorry, I noticed after I wrote this. At first I didn’t see a list. I was thinking some of your basics though, like hammer, anvil, liver sulphur, etc… Like a copy paste type list for all us beginners scared to venture out and buy bunk stuff, whether used in the video or not. BTW, Thank you for everything!! Love your stuff!

[@ellieshandcrafted]

@@johncalabrese4449 I think I'll just need to write a blog article or a free PDF download that I can share. ;) Are you still looking for some links, currently?

[@johncalabrese4449]

@@ellieshandcrafted I found what I needed through different video’s of yours. Got it all saved in the cart for Friday. :)

[@ellieshandcrafted]

@@johncalabrese4449 Awesome!! I can't wait for you to start working with them!

[@krusno-horskypruvodce9449]

thank you very much

[@ellieshandcrafted]

You're welcome!

[@kathymahaney9231]

My copper isnt changi g color, do i need to use steel wool to remove obvious coating?

[@ellieshandcrafted]

I'm not sure that the steel wool will remove all of it and it may become blotchy. I would recommend getting some new raw copper wire instead. If you already made the piece, I'd probably just leave it as it is since the steel wool won't reach into the gaps in the wire. Hope that helps!

[@tiffanywoolfrey7979]

Is this the same as a pickle pot?

[@ellieshandcrafted]

A pickle pot is usually used to clean the metal and remove fire scale. Liver of sulfur gel is used to darken the wire and then you remove the excess with steel wool or a rotary tool to help bring out the texture of the weaves. I hope that helps. :)

[@s38hyler]

Can you use boiled eggs to do it too? Seems i remember that

[@ellieshandcrafted]

I have heard of that, but I haven’t tried it myself. I guess I’ll add it to the list! 😊👍

[@tammymarcum9403]

Can you not reuse the solution

[@tammymarcum9403]

Thank you

[@ellieshandcrafted]

Theoretically, you could use it over and over, but the solution will weaken over time. (Often within 24 hours). So, if you're wanting to be more frugal, I highly recommend batching and darkening multiple pieces at a time. :) Hope that helps!

[@angieshortt1111]

Any particular type of polishing pads? Or brand?

[@leonettekoen172]

Hi. How do you give the copper a silver color. Thanks.

[@ellieshandcrafted]

When the patina is initially polished off, it will appear silvery for a while, but will mellow out into a more copper color after a bit. As far as I know, there isn’t really a way to keep it that color for long.

[@monicalove1804]

Pretty ring! Do all copper pieces need to be treated for longevity wear?

[@khalhaz4810]

It is not available with us. Are there alternatives

[@ellieshandcrafted]

I think there is a way of doing it with boiled eggs, but I haven’t done that myself..

[@buster1173]

Ebay

[@TrustMe8ro]

Will the polishing pad affect the finish of the metal underneath the patina?

[@ellieshandcrafted]

It shouldn’t. The patina is pretty thorough, so it’ll take a lot to remove it. :)

[@TrustMe8ro]

@@ellieshandcrafted Thank you for the reply..🙏

[@quietspacearts]

will this LOS silverplated copper?

[@ellieshandcrafted]

I wouldn't recommend using LOS on silver-plated wires, usually because when you go to polish the piece, it removes the plating. Even silver-filled wire can have this problem at times. Plus, it more than likely has some kind of tarnish resistant coating on it that won't allow the piece to patina. That's why I generally recommending using solid sterling silver wire. I hope that helps!

[@SandyBaubleLove]

Hi Ms. E, How long can LOS be left on...ie: 10 min or 2 years? I got really sick after I did LOS on several pieces. I found them and before I start polishing I want to make sure I have not damaged them, and that I can still work on them???

[@ellieshandcrafted]

I think that it mostly depends on the stone. I can't see the copper being too affected, but I've never left it in that long. My biggest worry would be the stone discoloring, but once it's neutralized with baking soda, I think it's alright. :)

[@SandyBaubleLove]

@@ellieshandcrafted Thanks, I'll give it a go then!!

[@heather5208]

Do you recommend using Renaissance Wax or another polish to keep the piece from oxidizing once it has been sold? I have all of the things I need to oxidize and Ive noticed some of my pieces have darkened naturally even though i have everything baggied in an airtight container, will the oxidized pieces oxidize as fast as non-oxidized? I live in a very humid climate which might have some effect on the wire. Also do you recommend scuffing up the piece or prewashing before using liver of sulfur on it? Sorry for so many questions! Thank you for the tutorial btw!

[@ellieshandcrafted]

Hi there, Heather!! When it comes to the coastal weather, I'm honestly not sure how to mitigate that. I live in a very dry climate, so I don't experience that too much. However, it is one of the reasons I do add patina to my pieces, because they will look that way anyways.. (Plus, I'm a sucker for the rich color!) I have heard that maybe adding those little packets that remove oxogen help quite a bit. Sometimes you'll see them in packaging like supplements. And when it comes to preparing the piece beforehand, sometimes I will wash the piece if there are a lot of finger oils or lotions on the piece before putting it in the solution. And I don't scuff the wire at all. If it is solid copper wire, it should oxidize very quickly in warm water. I hope that answers your questions. Feel free to leave any more that you may have. :)

[@ellieshandcrafted]

Oh, and as far as a sealant, I have used Renaissance wax, but only if requested by a customer as some people do have reactions to it. I do have another sealant, but haven't really had the opportunity to see how well it holds up.

[@heather5208]

@@ellieshandcrafted Thank you for all of the feedback! I patina’d some of my copper today, stop bathed then spent a ton of time steel wooling it. Polished with a sunshine cloth and came back and they were already darkening. Ren wax seems to keep it off some, but i havent long term tested it. I definitely understand why some people would have reactions but I have only sold two pieces so far. Thank you again for the information!!!