| Creating incredible layers of color on your | | | | to get the results you want. |
| handmade jewelry is easily achieved with the use | | | | Set up your workstation so you can easily go |
| of Liver of sulfur. This wondrous chemical | | | | from one step to the next. Have a heat source, |
| compound oxidizes many different metals creating | | | | the liver of sulfur solution, cold water bath and |
| fantastic colors on your handmade earrings and | | | | finally a soapy baking soda rinse. The secret is to |
| unique bracelets making your handcrafted jewelry | | | | control the process is the solution strength and |
| extraordinary. The varieties of colors that can be | | | | the temperature. The hotter solution will react |
| achieved are incredible ranging from gold to black | | | | more quickly and the colors will move faster from |
| and everything in between. No other chemical can | | | | one color to the next. They roughly go from gold, |
| produce such wide-ranging color patterns on the | | | | pink, blue, purple, gray and finally black. |
| surface of a variety of metals. | | | | Before you begin, your metal handcrafted jewelry |
| Working in a well ventilated area is a definite | | | | piece should be clean and free from dirt or oils |
| must, outdoors is preferable. The odor of rotten | | | | from your hands. Wearing gloves throughout the |
| eggs given off by liver of sulfur can be | | | | process is preferable. Liver of sulfur will begin to |
| overwhelming if used in a closed area. It is easy | | | | react the instant you put handmade bracelets or |
| to be put off by the smell but the results that | | | | handmade earrings into it. Let the color develop |
| can be achieved are simply amazing. | | | | for a couple of seconds on the handmade jewelry |
| Liver of sulfur comes in two types. The liquid | | | | piece, then put in the cold water to stop the |
| form can be used straight from the bottle, but | | | | patina forming. Repeat these steps until you reach |
| the shelf life is unpredictable even when stored in | | | | the desired color. Finally, rinse the piece in soapy |
| a cool, dark place. Solid liver of sulfur is usually | | | | baking soda solution to remove any liver of sulfur |
| sold in small chunks, which are mixed as needed. | | | | residue that could continue to change the color of |
| For this reason, it is better to buy small amounts | | | | the patina. Do not rub the handcrafted jewelry |
| of the solid and make your solution mixing only | | | | piece with the baking soda mixture as any |
| what you need to create the most beautiful | | | | abrasive will damage the patina finish you have |
| handcrafted jewelry. | | | | worked hard to create. |
| For your solution, put a 1cm or 1/4 inch clump of | | | | Liver of sulfur produces a patina finish on metal |
| solid liver of sulfur in a glass or plastic container | | | | handmade jewelry but if not treated the effects |
| with about 1 cup of water. The color of the | | | | will wear over time. Use a clear lacquer finish to |
| solution should be a very pale yellow. A strong | | | | protect your handmade earrings and handmade |
| solution will develop the colors too quickly to stop | | | | bracelets with their new patina finish. Be |
| the process at your desired color while too weak | | | | adventurous and watch how a little color can |
| of a solution can take too long and build a thick | | | | change your handcrafted jewelry piece into a |
| flaky crust. Experiment to find the best | | | | masterpiece! |
| concentration for the metal you are working with | | | | |