How to Antique Finish Rings
Antique rings often exhibit a dark finish built up in the crevices that adds beauty to them. It can takes months or even years for the metal to oxidize and create that effect naturally, but most jewelers know a secret to achieving that look that the general public doesn't. Any shiny piece of copper, brass or sterling silver can easily be oxidized in a matter of minutes at almost no cost.
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Instructions
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1
Drop a dried pea-size lump of liver of sulfur into the bottom of a glass bowl. Heat water, and pour 1 cup over the liver of sulfur. Break up the lump with a wooden skewer until it dissolves completely.
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Toss a ring made from copper, brass or sterling silver into the bowl. Multiple rings can be dropped in the liver of sulfur solution at one time as long as all the rings are covered. Don't allow the rings to touch in the bowl.
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3
Soak the ring in the solution. Copper will oxidize most quickly, and brass will take the longest.
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4
Remove the ring from the solution with a wooden skewer when the oxidation has reached the level of darkness that suits you.
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5
Rinse the ring with warm water and then with cold. Dry off the ring.
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6
Buff the surface of the ring with 0000 steel wool. The high areas on the surface will become bright and polished, while the crevices will remain darkened by the oxidation process. Remove as much or as little of the black oxidation as you please.
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Tips & Warnings
If you feel you've removed too much of the oxidation with the steel wool, mix a new batch of liver of sulfur solution and soak the ring again.
Liver of sulfur smells like rotten eggs. Work with it in a well-ventilated area.
Dispose of the liver of sulfur after every use by pouring the solution down the sink drain and running water until it is washed away.
