EASY DIY “ANTIQUE” FINISH FOR JEWELRY

If you’re like me, when it comes to planning jewelry employing copper, you may possibly prefer a much more classic, “tarnished” glance. I determined to do a bit of on line analysis to locate an easy Diy antique complete for steel and located an fascinating hack making use of an egg! Of training course I just experienced to do some experimenting. I started off with one of the pure copper box clasps that are solely offered in this article at Suzie Q Studio.

From my analysis and experimenting, I found…

An “antique”/oxidation end on metals this sort of as copper, brass, sterling silver and other metals is regarded as: tarnish, patina, toning or rust. Rust, of training course, is incredibly destructive and accidental, in contrast to tarnish, patina and toning, which can be a remarkably sought after aesthetic, or very easily taken out with a polishing cloth.

​The discolouration of metallic is brought about primarily by oxygen and sulfur dioxide interacting with every single other on the floor of the steel, resulting in varying colours of brown, grey, black and from time to time a greenish patina, when it arrives to copper. When specified metals these kinds of as iron get rusty, this approach effects in brownish-orange colouration.

If you’d like much more facts about the variations concerning the sorts of metal oxidization, verify out the adhering to fab article that I uncovered  — It’s amazingly fascinating! To understand more… Simply click  >>>  Here

There are a variety of methods to develop an antique patina on copper, silver, etc., including making use of professional chemical mixtures, but it’s totally unnecessary because I have found the “egg hack”. You only require a couple of common, cheap domestic provides and these ultra-effortless (and non-toxic) Do it yourself Techniques:

Make sure you Be aware: These instructions are distinct to Suzie Q Copper Box Clasps and not all of the actions are essential for other types of items… I’ll allow you know in the facts 🙂

Move #1:  Pick your favourite Suzie Q Copper Box Clasp or other merchandise(s) to oxidize. 

Action #2:  Most Suzie Q Copper Box Clasps have a protecting coating to keep them shiny, so you want to get rid of it by gently sanding the surface of the clasp for the “antiquing” to magically occur. REMOVE the “tongue-like” part of the clasp so that you can sand all of the surfaces.

FYI… If you’ve selected a distinct merchandise to oxidize, be confident to clean up it with rubbing liquor, instead of sanding it.

Action #3:  To get rid of the protective coating, you’ll have to have a “Scotch-Brite” pad (this is what I utilised) or high-quality metal wool or super-fantastic grit sandpaper for metal, due to the fact you do not want to make any deep scratches in the metallic. Carefully rub the complete surface area of the box clasp, which minimizes the glow of the copper to a matte end.

Remember to Notice:  DO NOT sand the “tongue” closure component that clicks into the box part of the clasp. It wants to continue to be shiny so it slides in and out of the clasp easily. As soon as you have finished sanding, re-insert the “tongue” again into the clasp.

Action #4: Boil an egg in drinking water for 20 minutes.

 

Phase #6:  Remove the yolk and slash the remaining egg white into modest parts.

Move #7:  While even now warm, put the egg white bits into a ziplock bag, along with the box clasp, and then seal the bag.

Move #8:  Check and shake the bag on a regular basis.

Action #9:  You should really see results rather promptly and it could get as minor as 15 minutes for the preferred outcome, but come to feel free of charge to go away your box clasp sealed in the bag for as lengthy as you like, without having harming the steel.

Be sure to Take note:  There’s no way to know what variety of patination that you’ll see, and not possible to replicate the same antiquing effect, especially when you method merchandise at various periods like the two copper box clasps proven above… There are just too many variables included! 

What do you believe? Doesn’t this eggciting “patina trick” look super-easy?

This “antiquing” technique is extremely functional way too. I even utilized it on some of the silver-plated trays that I use for merchandise images, a single of which is revealed earlier mentioned. I appreciate how they turned out! They’ve bought loads of terrific character and the reduced shine of the silver will make it substantially much easier for all sorts of juicy item photographs.

As well, I utilised this same strategy to tarnish the pair of sterling silver, cubic zirconia, “tear drop” earrings that are revealed over. Doesn’t the dim-coloured edging intensify the sparkle of the earrings?!

BTW… I utilized a polishing cloth to get rid of the tarnish from the posts of the earrings, so that clean up sterling silver is from the skin of my delicate ears 🙂

Completely ready to give this ultra-uncomplicated method a try out?

Most of the box clasps available at Suzie Q Studio have a polished surface, with the option to use this “antiquing” trick, but if you appreciate the seem and do not have the time to Do it yourself, we also have A Couple of copper box clasps that now have gorgeous “natural” patinas, 1 of which is demonstrated earlier mentioned.

For the final in building statement-building jewellery, Shop the entire Suzie Q Studio Assortment of really limited edition and just one-of-a-type Sterling Silver and Copper Box Clasps by CLICKING Above or on the adhering to  >>> Hyperlink

Please Note:  Once our special, typically one-of-a-form, box clasps are marketed out, that is it, for the reason that they cannot be re-stocked, so scoop up your favourite(s), although you can! 🙂 

Wishing you heaps-o-fun with this easy-peasy Do-it-yourself procedure, nonetheless you decide to implement it… Happy “antiquing”!

~ xo Suzie Q 😘💕💗