EASY DIY “ANTIQUE” FINISH FOR JEWELRY

If you’re like me, when it comes to designing jewellery applying copper, you could prefer a much more classic, “tarnished” look. I decided to do a bit of on-line research to obtain an quick Do-it-yourself antique complete for steel and identified an attention-grabbing hack using an egg! Of class I just experienced to do some experimenting. I begun with one of the pure copper box clasps that are exclusively obtainable right here at Suzie Q Studio.

From my investigate and experimenting, I uncovered…

An “antique”/oxidation finish on metals this kind of as copper, brass, sterling silver and other metals is known as: tarnish, patina, toning or rust. Rust, of system, is quite damaging and unintended, compared with tarnish, patina and toning, which can be a extremely wished-for aesthetic, or simply eliminated with a sharpening cloth.

​The discolouration of steel is brought about principally by oxygen and sulfur dioxide interacting with every other on the surface area of the steel, ensuing in various colors of brown, gray, black and often a greenish patina, when it will come to copper. When selected metals these as iron get rusty, this course of action success in brownish-orange colouration.

If you’d like much more data about the differences involving the varieties of steel oxidization, check out the adhering to fab posting that I found  — It’s extremely intriguing! To discover more… Simply click  >>>  Here

There are a variety of approaches to make an antique patina on copper, silver, and many others., which includes employing industrial chemical mixtures, but it really is totally unnecessary because I’ve uncovered the “egg hack”. You only need a number of widespread, affordable house supplies and these ultra-simple (and non-harmful) Do-it-yourself Techniques:

You should Be aware: These instructions are certain to Suzie Q Copper Box Clasps and not all of the steps are necessary for other styles of items… I’ll let you know in the details 🙂

Move #1:  Decide on 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 hold them shiny, so you need to take away it by gently sanding the surface of the clasp for the “antiquing” to magically transpire. REMOVE the “tongue-like” portion of the clasp so that you can sand all of the surfaces.

FYI… If you have preferred a different merchandise to oxidize, be confident to clear it with rubbing alcohol, rather of sanding it.

Action #3:  To take out the protecting coating, you’ll require a “Scotch-Brite” pad (this is what I applied) or fine steel wool or super-great grit sandpaper for steel, mainly because you really do not want to make any deep scratches in the metallic. Gently rub the complete floor of the box clasp, which reduces the shine of the copper to a matte end.

Please Observe:  DO NOT sand the “tongue” closure section that clicks into the box part of the clasp. It requires to continue to be shiny so it slides in and out of the clasp simply. Once you’ve concluded sanding, re-insert the “tongue” back into the clasp.

Action #4: Boil an egg in h2o for 20 minutes.

 

Step #6:  Remove the yolk and slice the remaining egg white into compact parts.

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

Stage #8:  Check and shake the bag frequently.

Stage #9:  You ought to see benefits rather rapidly and it may perhaps get as minimal as 15 minutes for the sought after result, but sense free of charge to leave your box clasp sealed in the bag for as very long as you like, devoid of harming the metallic.

You should Observe:  There’s no way to know what sort of patination that you are going to see, and difficult to replicate the exact antiquing impact, particularly when you method merchandise at different occasions like the two copper box clasps proven above… There are just as well numerous variables involved! 

What do you feel? Doesn’t this eggciting “patina trick” glimpse super-simple?

This “antiquing” technique is very flexible as well. I even utilised it on some of the silver-plated trays that I use for product photos, 1 of which is revealed above. I really like how they turned out! They’ve obtained a lot of excellent character and the reduced shine of the silver tends to make it substantially simpler for all varieties of juicy item photographs.

As perfectly, I used this very same strategy to tarnish the pair of sterling silver, cubic zirconia, “tear drop” earrings that are proven higher than. Doesn’t the dim-colored edging accentuate the sparkle of the earrings?!

BTW… I utilised a sprucing 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 sensitive ears 🙂

All set to give this ultra-easy procedure a try out?

Most of the box clasps obtainable at Suzie Q Studio have a polished surface, with the option to use this “antiquing” trick, but if you adore the seem and never have the time to Diy, we also have A Handful of copper box clasps that presently have gorgeous “natural” patinas, one particular of which is demonstrated above.

For the best in developing assertion-building jewelry, Shop the overall Suzie Q Studio Selection of incredibly limited edition and one particular-of-a-type Sterling Silver and Copper Box Clasps by CLICKING Earlier mentioned or on the next  >>> Website link

You should Be aware:  Once our exceptional, usually a single-of-a-sort, box clasps are sold out, which is it, since they are not able to be re-stocked, so scoop up your favourite(s), even though you can! 🙂 

Wishing you heaps-o-exciting with this straightforward-peasy Do it yourself strategy, on the other hand you choose to use it… Happy “antiquing”!

~ xo Suzie Q 😘💕💗