Precious metal jewelry is often subjected to various jewelry techniques. For example, silver is blackened in order to change the shade and give contrasting lines in the ornament. Such items look unusual and can be mistaken for antiques, so it is necessary to wear silver jewelry correctly. They do not show any defects, chips, or dullness, however, you need to know how to store and care for them. What is the process of blackening silver, is it possible to do it at home?
Silver blackening: what is the essence of the process. Popularity of aristocratic blackened silver in the 17th century
Blackening or patination of silver is a type of decorative and applied art that appeared among the Russian people in the 17th century. The process of this type of creativity originated in the city of Veliky Ustyug, where craftsmen working with precious metals lived.
The reason for this was the geographical location of the city of Veliky Ustyug. Once upon a time, all trade routes from west to east and back passed through it. Valuable goods and precious metal passed through this city.
Naturally, craftsmen quickly realized that they could make good money in this business. This is how the silver craft appeared, which turned from a way of earning money into an art. Almost every master could perform the technique of blackening silver products, and he did it by hand.
Types of jewelry silver
Jewelry silver is divided into different types. They are distinguished from each other by their appearance, composition, characteristics, and the products that are made from them.
- Sterling silver is an alloy that is the strongest. It is distinguished by its color - perfect whiteness. Sterling silver does not tarnish and is of the highest standard 925. It is successfully used for the production of premium jewelry. Cutlery is also made from it.
- Blackened silver. All jewelry that came to us from the last century is undoubtedly made of blackened precious metal. This is a type of alloy considered aristocratic. It was made by applying sulfur oxides of silver and copper to the finished jewelry. Then the decorations were heated, subsequently dark ornaments appeared on its surface. Such jewelry was often worn as talismans and amulets.
- Oxidized silver. Oxidation is a modern process of coating the surface of jewelry with a protective oxide film. This film consists of silver oxide. Oxidation of noble metal not only protects jewelry from external influences, but helps preserve its color.
- Rhodium plated silver. The rhodium plating process is often used in jewelry production. This is a noble metal, similar in appearance to silver, but its properties are much stronger. Rhodium plating serves as a protective layer for decoration. The rhodium plating method is not too expensive, which is why it is so widespread on an industrial scale. Rhodium plating does not lose its shine, does not fade, and remains white.
What it is
Blackened silver is black-colored silver made using special technology. During the Renaissance, this technique was at the peak of its popularity. Liturgical objects were made from blackened silver and decorated bowls, caskets, knife handles and cutlery handles.
Nowadays, blackened silver has not lost its attractiveness. Small silver items with niello in combination with complex ornaments look interesting in the contrast of colors. There are many different “recipes for preparing” blackened silver, but the meaning of all is the same - to obtain a shade of black, from grayish to deep black.
Methods for making niello
As already mentioned, folk craftsmen began blackening precious metal more than 3 centuries ago. To this day, niello is one of the classic ways of decorating items made of precious metals. Using this method, silver jewelry is given a black color and all its various shades. Thanks to the niello, the product acquires noble and contrasting outlines. Blackening also helps to hide some defects, for example, seam connections on a ring or bracelet. In addition, blackening makes silver jewelry strong and durable.
Jewelry with a flat surface is not blackened. First, engraving is done on the jewelry, and original designs with indentations are applied. It is into these recesses that the niello is subsequently fused. Engraving depth: approximately 3 mm.
In turn, niello is an alloy that consists of copper, silver, sulfur and lead. These metals are melted down and applied in liquid form to the surface of the jewelry. Heated metals form a chemical reaction. As a result of the reaction, the drawings and patterns become black, and the precious metal itself successfully contrasts with it.
The main methods for producing alloys for blackening:
German
Copper and silver are melted, the entire composition is constantly stirred when heated. Molten lead is poured into it. Then the finished composition must be mixed with preheated sulfur powder. It is important to constantly stir the alloy. Thanks to stirring, all the metals that make up the alloy react perfectly chemically with each other.
Sulfur granules
Modern Moscow
This method involves remelting the following metals: copper, silver and lead. As the melting progresses, sulfur powder is added in small doses, after which the composition is filled into a cast-iron frying pan. The alloy is then left to solidify, crushed into solids, and melted again. At the second stage of heating, the composition is mixed with sulfur and flux.
Types of silver alloys
Now on the Russian precious metals market there are several main types of silver alloys: Matte. From the name it is clear that such silver does not reflect and does not have bright patterns; jewelry made from it will not shine in the sun. To obtain a matte surface, various chemicals are added to the metal, due to which the metal slightly changes its properties. It is with the admixture of emulsions that the surface becomes rough rather than smooth, which gives some originality to such products.
- Filigree. As a rule, this option has openwork on the products. The design is made from thin threads, which can be obtained due to the pliability and strength of silver. As a rule, this type of product has a fairly high price tag, due to the complexity of the work, which requires professionalism and skill.
- Sterling (coin). The most common type of silver goods on the Russian market at the moment. These jewels are silver in color, last a long time and shine pleasantly in the light.
- Rhodinated. An expensive method of treating silver with another precious metal belonging to the platinum group. What is rhodium plated silver: the item is coated with a thin layer of rhodium, which gives it strength, scratch resistance, and a “rich” appearance. The irradiated product is often mistaken for white gold due to its noble shine and brightness. Such decorations are considered the best. If the ring is rhodium plated, it will never tarnish or oxidize.
- Blackened silver. Obtained through a sulfur chemical reaction of a metal. Silver with blackening looks like it has aged, darkened from long wear, but this effect is achieved artificially.
Methods of applying black: dry and wet
There are two ways to blacken silver items:
- Dry method. The silver surface must be moistened with a special solution for blackening silver, then apply fine powdered black. The prepared decoration is dried and fired in a muffle. Required temperature for firing: 300-400 degrees Celsius.
- Wet method. We are talking about niello, made in the form of a mushy mass, diluted with water, and using a brush to fill the engraved recesses. Then they leave it for a while, waiting until the water evaporates, and calcinate it in a muffle. The heated niello softens, melts and spreads over the design; if the decoration is small, then a special soldering gun is used.
After the blackening procedure, the product is sanded and sanded.
Silver blackening technology
Silver can be blackened using several methods.
Mechanical impact
The mechanical blackening method is the direct action of certain substances on the surface of a silver product.
Silver bracelet with blackening
Applying a mixture of graphite with iron oxide and turpentine to a silver product
First, graphite and iron oxide are mixed, then turpentine is added to the composition. The resulting solution is applied to the silver jewelry, left until it becomes dry. As soon as the composition on the surface of the jewelry is dry, it is wiped with a soft rag, fiber or suede, which is pre-moistened in alcohol.
Electroplating with electrodes
Galvanic silver is produced by mechanical blackening. The electrolysis method with electrodes helps make the precious metal blackened and aged. But, unfortunately, the niello applied by this method is short-lived and wears out quickly. Electroplating is ideal only for blackening inexpensive silver jewelry.
How to blacken silver using improvised means at home
You can darken precious metal yourself at home, using readily available and inexpensive means at hand. Common recipes for patination of silver at home.
Darkening with a Boiled Egg
One of the simplest ways to darken silver at home. You will need:
- chicken egg – 1-2 pcs;
- a container that can be tightly closed;
- thin thread, fishing line will also work.
Blackening stages:
- The eggs need to be boiled.
- Clean silver jewelry from dirt.
- Cut the boiled eggs in half, using only the yolks.
- Place the yolks on the bottom of the container, hang the silver item on a thread, secure it to the lid of the container and close tightly. The decoration should dangle inside the container; it should be rotated periodically so that the blackness is formed evenly.
- Remove the jewelry after 5-6 hours.
How can an egg darken silver? In fact, a chemical process occurs: the egg yolk releases hydrogen sulfide, which changes the color of the metal.
Blackening silver with a boiled egg
Sulfur ointment and hair dryer
You can get blackened silver using sulfur ointment and a regular hair dryer. It is necessary to heat the ointment with a hairdryer so that it becomes liquid. As soon as the ointment begins to flow, pour it over the surface of the silver jewelry. By the way, you can notice that already at the initial stage the metal will begin to darken. After the ointment has hardened, sand the metal with special sandpaper, and the blackening process can be considered complete.
Application of iodine
Iodine, which is found in every housewife's medicine cabinet, is also an excellent means for blackening precious metals. To begin with, silver earrings or rings need to be cleaned of fingerprints, sweat marks, and dirt. Then, using a cotton swab or swab, the jewelry should be thoroughly coated with iodine and left to dry in the sun.
How to care for silver
Silver is loved for its nobility at an affordable price. Products made from this metal can serve their owner for many years, but caring for silver jewelry requires care and patience. Silver is most often subject to deformation due to its softness; it becomes covered with scratches, can bend and turn black. To prevent silver from tarnishing, it should be cleaned regularly. You can do this on your own and with improvised means that are present in every person’s household, or you can take it to a master. The latter option costs money, but you will receive the jewelry back intact, like new.
Advantages and disadvantages of the home method - how to age silver at home
Blackened silver has many advantages:
- it does not need to be constantly cleaned;
- it does not fade or darken, since it is already black;
- a piece of jewelry that has been artificially aged looks antique and expensive.
If we talk about the disadvantages of blackening at home, it is important to note the risk of causing potential harm to the noble metal. Without precise knowledge and skills of blackening technology, silver items can simply be ruined.
Metal oxidation
Now you can find oxidized silver in stores, which is passed off as blackened. They may be visually similar, but they differ in quality.
Oxidized silver has the same blackish color, but with uneven filling and is slightly darker than real blackened silver should be.
Metal oxidation is a cheaper way to apply niello to a patterned surface. The product is coated with a thin oxide film, which creates blackness. The thicker the layer, the blacker the pattern will be.
But this method of blackening metal is short-lived. Over time, the film wears off and the item loses its original attractive appearance.
Get rid of blackheads in 30 minutes
The most affordable and easiest way to get rid of black metal: clean the precious metal with a soda solution.
You need to pour 2-3 teaspoons of baking soda into a saucepan with water. Place foil on the bottom of the container and decorations on top. Boil the contents of the saucepan for about 5 minutes. By the way, this cleaning method is also applicable for tableware and silverware.
Another effective means for cleaning silver items from niello is citric acid. Moreover, you can use both powdered citric acid and juice squeezed from lemon.
Lemon juice, which is not as concentrated as citric acid, is more gentle on the blackness on silver.
How to clean silver from blackness using citric acid? Dissolve 100 g of powder in half a liter of water in a bowl, wrap silver items in foil, and place inside the container. Boil the solution for 15 minutes. Boiling in a lemon solution helps make the product snow-white and shining.
Product care
Although items made of blackened silver do not tarnish, dirt may well accumulate on them. Therefore, it is recommended to care for it regularly, wash, wipe and dry well.
- A regular soap solution is perfect for removing light dirt and dust from the recesses of the product.
- You can use potato infusion for cleaning. Pour water over the peeled potatoes and let it brew. Then place the blackened silver there and leave it for several hours (up to 4). Afterwards, as always, rinse and wipe.
- Never use harsh or abrasive products, such as ammonia, dry baking soda powder, etc., to clean blackened silver.
- Plus, blackened silver does not tolerate hot temperatures, which means that all methods involving boiling will not work.
- Such items can only be wiped with a soft cloth and stored in a dry, dark place.
When blackened silver looks appropriate. How to choose the right jewelry
Jewelry made from niello-treated silver is not intended for every day. They look perfect with an ethnic, animal, or boho look.
In order not to be mistaken about the authenticity of silver, you should make purchases in jewelry stores with a proven reputation, check the mark on the product and, if necessary, request a certificate for the product.
You should be wary of purchasing jewelry online or on Avito. It is better then to purchase the jewelry at a pawn shop or at a discounted price, since it will already be checked by a local jeweler.
Black on silver: styles and techniques
Blackened jewelry can be purchased in almost all jewelry stores. The main thing is to pay attention and check with the sellers whether this technique was used in the product you are trying on. After all, it may turn out to be a fake.
Israeli ethnic style jewelry deserves a separate topic. Israeli craftsmen use embossing, blackening and many other techniques in their works with their own stories. The decorations look like ancient ones, which we can only find in ancient human burials. In the cities of Ukraine and Russia today you can find many products from Israel.
Review
I started wearing black silver several years ago. These are some of my favorite pieces of jewelry today. They feel unique, bohemian, some kind of magic and esotericism.
Anastasia R., Lviv
Zhenya K., Moscow
I wear blackened silver items, which I am very pleased with. Especially because this metal is easy to maintain. Cleaning once every few months, using affordable means, suits me perfectly. The undoubted advantage of such jewelry is that even if they turn black or fade, no one will notice it.
I would like to note the aesthetic aspects of silver jewelry with niello. They look expensive, as if they were inherited from their great-grandmother, the countess. Therefore, his nobility is not just emphasized, but even intensified.
Valentina P., Stavropol
Usage
Blackened silver has never left the fashion pedestal. Years give way to centuries, but the trend for blackened silver remains. This is because, whether it is a sophisticated pendant or a relief bowl, blackened silver gives the products an original, sophisticated appearance.
In addition, such items do not require constant care and cleaning. They are durable and resistant to mechanical damage, do not darken over the years and retain their attractive appearance for a long time.
Now famous designers around the world have blackened silver jewelry, cutlery, home decor items, and even clothing items in their collections. After all, blackened silver is a style and sophistication that will highlight any look.
