Doris Price (My Priceless Creations) is a reader of this blog who sent me this tip about Judy Thompson's ammonia salt patina technique (Update : no longer available but you can get an alternative tutorial here by creatinglinus jewelry).
She said, "I tried this on Trinity brass and it was plated it still worked. Now the pic they show I never could achieve that but probably because I didn't have any RAW brass."
I can see why she liked it so much. The bluish patina is drop dead gorgeous. The technique is easy and only requires simple ingredients. It will work on copper and any copper based metals such as sterling silver (which is 7.5% copper), brass, bronze.
Judy covers many tips but I particularly liked the one on how to set up a home made "fuming tent" otherwise known as a plastic container. Ammonia stinks so good ventilation is still a must - I personally would do this outdoors.
Have fun!
Before You Go:
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips
I can see why she liked it so much. The bluish patina is drop dead gorgeous. The technique is easy and only requires simple ingredients. It will work on copper and any copper based metals such as sterling silver (which is 7.5% copper), brass, bronze.
Judy covers many tips but I particularly liked the one on how to set up a home made "fuming tent" otherwise known as a plastic container. Ammonia stinks so good ventilation is still a must - I personally would do this outdoors.
Have fun!
Before You Go:
- 8 Ways to Patinate Jewelry
- Tips on How to Use Boiled Eggs for Metal Oxidation
- How to Clean Green Gunk Off Jewelry with Common Kitchen Items
Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips
Blue isn't my favourite colour, but even I love ammonia patinas! Have mostly done buried, not fumed, ammonia patinas, but they both give you a fab range of turquoise and blue colours. As mentioned in the text it works on plated (and lacquered) metal too. My only issue is that I've not always been able to keep the lovely cobalt blue hues, just the turquoise blue.
ReplyDeleteNot writing this just to toot my own horn, but if anyone's interested I've got some pics on my wild roses... blog under the label Patina.
(Ah, this just reminded me that I have two jars with stampings buried in ammonia sawdust and vinegar tea leaves that I'd forgotten about!)
Thanks for sharing your wonderful patina experiments. I particularly loved the butterfly focal one you did - http://wildrosesandblackberries.blogspot.ca/2012/07/the-butterfly-patina-on-silverplate.html
ReplyDeleteWonder how dark the stampings will be after you rescue them from your jars!
Wow if you could get anything close to the piece you pictured, it would be worth checking into!
ReplyDeleteI love the blue on that brass leaf !
ReplyDeletePatinas add a depth and richness to jewelry that take a piece to an entirely different level and even though there are a number of products on the market that simulate a patina (Gilder's Paste and alcohol inks, come to mind) they just are not as lush as a true patina.
Where is the recipe for the patina? The link goes to an Etsy store what is not currently active. Maybe you should take this post down or list what to do.
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda, This is a very old post. I have removed the links and updated with an alternative and similar tutorial for this patina. Here is new link - https://www.instructables.com/id/Blue-Patina-on-Copper/
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