▪ Patinas and Protective Finishes Q & A ▪

LOS and ear wires 
Is it safe to oxidize ear wires with LOS? Will the patina irritate the skin? Thanks, Barb Stacy's Answer: While I can in no way guarantee that …

Stabilizing bLacked silver 
Hi, I blackened a necklace with JAX silver blackener. After a while the blackened necklace wore off and became gray. Also, I had an incident were parts …

Liver of Sulfa peeled off in spots 
Hello all. I made a sterling silver textured cuff bracelet. When I went to create a patina, i followed the directions on the Gel X liver of sulfer. Upon …

Gosiba Acid 
I would like information on using Gosiba on an argentium & 22k gold piece. I want the argentium black and keep the gold bright and looking like 22k! …

removing permalac from copper 
What is the best way to remove permalac EF from copper? I want to re-do the finish. Thanks! Stacy's Answer: Hi Louise! To remove Permalac lacquer …

Matte sealent for jewelry with a patina 
I make jewelry and apply patina often, but when I apply a protectant seal it is shiny and ruins the old look. Is there a top coat, a protective sealent …

How Long Does Liver of Sulfur Gel Last? 
About what is the life of Liver of Sulfur Gel? Stacy's Answer: Hi Marilyn! The stabilized liver-of-sulfur gel usually lasts for quite a while. …

Aging/oxidizing silver platters 
Without being able to dip large silver (plate) platters and serving pieces, what would be the best way to us LOS to oxidize them and make them appear vintage? …

Lasting (permanent) oxidizer wedding rings 
Hello I have received an order to make wedding rings and the customer wants them to stay deeply oxidized. Any proven techniques and/or products used …

Disposing of Midas finish seal lacquer 
I'm using this product, but I don't know how to dispose of it safely after I've dipped my items. Do I pour it down the drain? The MSDS is pretty confusing! …

rainbow effects 
How can I do this on copper, bronze or other metals best suited for this effect? Stacy's Answer: Hi Gene! Rainbow effects can be painted on …

gel patina didnt work 
My gel patina only discolored my brass piece instead of darkening in the crevices. Stacy's Answer: Liver-of-sulfur does not do much of anything …

Copper Jewelry Health Benefits? 
If I seal my handmade copper jewelry do I loose the health benefit of wearing copper? Stacy's Answer: Copper is an essential trace element and …

Keeping patina on copper wire  
Hi! I just recently bought some bare copper wire and liver of sulfur to patina it with. I was wondering if I should seal the wire with something to keep …

remove a tarnish free coating on my brass necklace. 
How do I remove a coating (or tell if I have one) on my brass necklace? Stacy's Answer: Hi Sandy! Brass items with a protective coating do …

Does liver of sulfer make the metal stink afterwards? 
I have never used liver of sulfur before but I understand that it stinks like (duh, sulfur) similar to stink bombs from grade school. I am wondering if …

Will LOS Patina on ring turn finger black? 
Will my finger turn black from the liver of sulfur Patina on a coin ring? If so how can I stop this an still keep the patina? Thanks! John Stacy's …

a really black color 
I made a pendant of copper with silver balls. I'd like the copper to remain black. In the LOS it turned black really quickly. I let it sit for a while …

black matte finish on a copper pendant  
Thank you for your article. I recently made a copper pendant with silver balls. I want the copper to be black ( really black) and the silver balls silver. …

Finishing 
What do you use to remove some of the patina after darkening. I have found a lot about adding patina but very little about what to do after the patina …

patina wears off quickly on jewelry  
I bought copper rings and the patina was off in less than a week. I bought a bracelet (expensive) a couple of days ago and the green patina is already …

Getting into those "hard to reach" places 
I'm having an issue with cleaning off some oxidized places on my pendants. I've made a wire woven piece with several layers and some tight spots. I cannot …

Protecting LOS oxidized pendants? 
Hi Stacy, We made a lot of nice LOS oxidized copper jewelry and we have complaint from customers that the dark oxidized patina starts to fade quickly …

Sealing copper patina  
Hi, the green and blue patinas are prone to being quite delicate; what sealant, spray or coating could I use to make it more permanent without damaging …

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how do i keep liver of sulfur patina on enameled copper? 
I enamel cuff bracelets that are 14g copper... I love the liver of sulfur look but it rubs off after i stabilize. I can't dip enameled (glass) jewelry …

reversal!!! 
I left my silver chain in the solution too long, how can I reverse it? Thanks, Geri Stacy's Answer: What solution Geri? Liver-of-sulfur? For LOS, …

Is LOS a permanent treatment? 
How permanent is the LOS patina when applied to hot silver within hot water? Stacy's Answer: Not permanent at all. It is a patina surface treatment …

Bubbles in patina 
Hi, I am brand new to jewelry work. I'm using copper that I hand-stamp. I'm using LOS to patina, I've noticed on a few pieces small almost bubbles? Any …

Glossy Black Finish with LOS 
I am looking for directions for obtaining a glossy black finish on sterling or Argentium sterling pieces. I am referring to a flat piece with no recessed …

Copper finish 
I'm working a lot in copper and need to know how to best preserve the shiny finish, lacquer or wax! Stacy's Answer: Great neck collar Barbara!! …

Matte enamel and LOS 
I have used LOS with glossy enamelled pieces (and they are fine), but have not tried with matte enamel---does the LOS affect the matte enamel? Stacy's …

blue green patina solution 
What solution is ready made for blue green patina for my copper wire jewelry making? Stacy's Answer: Hi Sandra! A prepared patina I have found …

What is the easiest way to clean a piece before applying the patina. 
What is the easiest way to clean a piece before applying the patina? I've heard that it's very important to clean the piece before applying patina or the …

Brass laquer/seal  
What laquer/finish is best to use on raw brass to keep its' polished shine? I have large pieces of brass that lay on the skin in my necklaces, and am …

Green Patina on Silver 
Is it possible to put a green patina on silver. If so, what would I use? Stacy's Answer: Hi Aderyn! I'm not aware of an actual patina for turning …

Patina Stopped Working / Storage 
Hello, I have the gel form patina, and I mixed it with water and put it in a film container. It worked the first time, but a few days later, the bit …

patina before or after assembly? 
Hello, I've been on your site several times admiring your gorgeous creations! They are beautiful and unique! I was looking at your Urban Renewal necklace …

LOS and shells 
Will LOS discolor shells? Stacy's Answer: Hi Kathy! PUTTING POROUS OR DYED ITEMS IN LIVER-OF-SULFUR IS NOT A GOOD IDEA. If you are wanting …

Making the Metal Shine 
Hi im totally new to stamping metal. I just wanted to know after i watched a video on youtube, the guy wouldn't say how he got his metals so shiny but …

Fading problems with Black Max silver oxidizer 
I am having fading problems with Black Max silver oxidizer when it is exposed to direct sunlight and heat. These pieces are using new Sterling silver, …

My recently "antiqued" chainmail is coloring my skin.  
I have been looking everywhere for the solution to this issue. I used stabilized liquid liver of sulfur from CoolTools to darken a bronze chainmail necklace. …

Copper turned a gunmetal color 
Hi stacy, I made copper bangle bracelets. They were patinated in liver of sulfur. I then experimented with brass brushing some of the bracelets instead …

Sealant and Silver 
Do you ever use a protective finish on silver. I have read arguments on line against sealing silver, but is it really as bad an idea for tarnish prevention. …

Sealant and Silver 
Do you ever use a protective finish on silver? I have read arguments online against sealing silver, but is it really as bad an idea for tarnish prevention? …

Using and Disposing of Midas Green Patina and Copper Oxidizer 
Hi! I am working with copper and brass patinas for the first time, and wondering if you have tips on the use and/or disposal of either of these products, …

Stopping the Patination 
Do you know the ratio of water, salt and vinegar to stop the process? Thanks Stacy's Answer: Hi Gail! I don't use salt and/or vinegar as that can …

Patina or LOS 
Is Liver of Sulphate the same as black patina? I have a bottle of black patina and is a light greenish blue color. I want to use it on a piece of copper …

Liver of sulfur and brass 
Hi Stacy, thanks for taking time.... experimenting for a long time with LOS finishing, found good technique for copper... brass is a different story, …

silver plated copper wire and liver of sulfur? 
Hi! I was wondering if the liver of sulfur will work on my silver plated copper wire? They are anti-tarnish but I read somewhere else that it can work …

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Oxidizing Silver with an Egg 
I had a custom oxidized sterling silver ring made and the finish is pretty much gone. The jeweler told me I could re-oxidize the ring with a hard boiled …

Protection for copper necklaces  
I read your tips about Liver of Sulfur and thought they were very helpful and i looked up Permalac sealant to protect the copper is this also ok to use …

Permalac EF 
Stacy can you tell me where you purchase Permalac EF? I live in Southwest Florida. Stacy's Answer: Hi Jody! I purchase the Permalac EF from …

Blue patina 
What ammonia use for blue patina? Stacy's Answer: I use regular old household ammonia that you can purchase in the cleaning sections of supermarkets …

Seal polished copper 
Hi - I'm wondering after I polish the copper - do I need to seal the copper? Stacy's Answer: Hi Cindy! It is only necessary to seal the copper …

Krylon to finish copper 
Does Krylon matte finish work well to protect copper from tarnishing or do you recommend some other finish? Does it work to spray the coating on an entire …

Sealing Liver-of-sulfur on Copper 
Hello, So I've just used some Stabilized LOS on some copper necklaces. I want to make sure that no residue comes off onto my customers clothes or skin. …

Copper Patina 
I have a nice shiny length of copper 10' x 3'. I am using it as inlays in my kitchen cabinets. I want to patina this copper with liver of sulfer. Can I …

Protective Finish for Copper 
How can one prevent copper from turning green and is there a coating that would protect the client's skin? Thank you, Riki Stacy's Answer: Thanks …

We are trying to apply a patina to bronze. 
Where is a source for the LOS? Stacy's Answer: A quick internet search reveals many retail sources for Liver of sulfur. Jewelry supply companies …

Heavy Dark Patina 
I want to buy patina gel from COOL TOOLS but will this product heavily darken silver for a "Dark-Dark" patina on silver. Stacy's Answer: Hi Carolyn! …

Copper Earwires 
Hi Stacy, I have seen some copper wires and was wondering how safe they are to wear? I know copper has some therapeutic benefits for joints. Can you …

To Seal or not to Seal? 
Hi Stacy, I have used Permalac™ sealer on a few copper necklaces I have made and then oxidised, with mixed success. Occasionally, the sealer has left a …

Polishing Oxidized Chain 
What is the best/easiest way to polish silver chain once it's been oxidized? I've been polishing it by hand with steel wool, but it is soo time consuming. …

Question About a Protective Finish 
Hello Stacy, I would love to know what protective finish you use on some of your jewelry pieces. It looks nice and shiny and I think it would protect the …

Preventing Blue Patina from Coming Off 
I have to know...on the bracelet "Aegean" how do you keep that beautiful blue copper color from coming right off? How does the moisture from one's skin …

Adding A Nice Finish After Antiquing 
I do not have a tumbler yet and after I patina a piece I want to rub some off and give the piece a very nice finished look. I work in Sterling Silver and …