Common Finishes Applied to Silver Necklaces
Finishing is an art, and it is an extremely important stage in the creation of a piece of jewelry. When done right, it can elevate a simple piece of jewellery to the next level, adding beauty and appeal. This is a highly specialised skill, and one that can only be accomplished with a lot of practice.
There are many ways to polish a piece of silver, and the best way depends on your specific needs and goals. For example, if you are looking to create a bright polished look, you may want to use a fine grade wire brush with a rotary tool. Alternatively, you can use a ScotchBrite pad with various grits to achieve a range of textures and looks.
Another popular method is oxidation, which can be achieved by exposing the item to sulfur dioxide in a controlled manner. This enables a thin coating of potassium sulfide to cover the surface of the silver necklaces uniformly, without causing the normal tarnishing process that would otherwise make it dull and unattractive. This is only a temporary finish, however, and it will eventually wear away to reveal the beautiful silver underneath.
Patination is a different kind of surface treatment that uses chemicals to speed up the natural oxidation process, giving it an appealing dark color. This type of finish is only effective on items with high copper content, such as bronze, brass and sterling silver. After soaking, use a toothbrush with soft bristles to gently scrub the necklace, paying extra attention to crevices and intricate designs. Be careful not to apply too much pressure to prevent scratching.
What Are Some Common Finishes Applied to Silver Necklaces?
Enamel is a decorative finishing technique that is used to add rich vibrant colors to a piece of silver jewellery, and it also provides protection from tarnishing by forming a clear film over the surface. The color of the enamel is lent by a variety of metallic oxides: cobalt oxide for blue, copper oxide for green, and uranium oxide for yellow.
Matte and brushed finishes are a bit of an antithesis to the shiny polished look; they leave tiny marks that don’t allow light to reflect off the metal. They can be achieved by using a variety of tools and techniques, such as sanding or wire brushes with a fine grit. A popular choice for this style of finish is a pen-style brush made of either brass or steel.
Rhodium plating can be used to give silver a bright and shiny appearance that is similar to gold, or alternatively it can provide an all-white finish that doesn’t tarnish at all. This is a more durable choice than polishing, although if you rub your jewelry vigorously it can wear the rhodium off.
Palladium or ruthenium plating can be used to give an eye-catching grey black finishing that is a nice alternative to the traditional dark oxidation, and it is much more durable than rhodium.
