Features of blackened silver

Silver was discovered by mankind over 6,000 years ago. In those distant times, this noble metal was used as adornments for the images of the Egyptian pharaohs. And the soldiers of Rome with his help healed battle wounds.

The popularity of silver has increased every year. And today this type of precious metal is considered the most demanded in the world market. Despite the fact that the production of silver has significantly decreased, every day in small towns and cities enterprises are opened that sell silver metal in the form of jewelry, decorations and household items. However, it is not ordinary silver that is in great demand, but blackened. It looks original and beautiful, is highly durable, but at the same time has a reasonable price. And silver items with blackening are suitable for people of all ages and gender.

Niello is the oldest method of silver processing by dyeing the decor of items in dark shades. Finished products with blackened silver acquire a color contrast, especially in the presence of complex ornamentation or relief elements.

Jewelers claim that blackened silver is a classic of the precious metal genre. To create it, a black alloy is used, which contains copper, silver, sulfur and lead in different proportions. This alloy is added during the manufacturing process in one of several ways. For example, embossing, engraving, gouging or etching.

From the temperature effect, a reaction occurs between genuine silver and its supplemented alloy, due to which the product receives not only decorativeness and beauty, but also becomes practical. In simple terms, blackened silver does not tarnish, and most importantly, does not require additional maintenance. The color palette of the black is very diverse.

The black alloy itself looks colorful on high-standard silver and gold. However, it is impossible to cast the correct composition of the mob without experience and knowledge. For this reason, blackening is rarely used when working with the purest metal.

The technique of blackening noble metal has much in common with the technique of champlevé enamel. However, the champlevé enamel must be prepared separately, and the mixture must be immediately applied to the silver piece, followed by firing.

For application German way it is necessary to carefully add lead to the copper-silver melting mixture, constantly stirring the thick mass. After infusion of lead, sulfur powder and water are added. The finished pieces of black are ground in the required dosage to a powder state using a special mortar. Then they are applied to the product in a crushed form.

The old recipe suggests using a similar ternary alloy added in portions. Then the prepared mixture is poured into a cast-iron container and remains in it until it hardens. The prepared pancake breaks into small pieces and is remelted again, but flux and sulfur are already added to it.

The pre-revolutionary Russian method of blackening was developed by Professor Spassky. Its essence lies in the separate preparation of silver, lead sulphide and copper sulphide. Then they are combined in containers, creating a single alloy. The thick mixture is re-melted using the unique technology of the professor. And only after that it is postponed until it cools completely.

Blackened silver items have many advantages.

1. They don't require much cleaning, while regular silver needs to be rinsed once a month.
2. Blackened silver is very durable and retains an excellent appearance for a long time.
3. Silver has bactericidal properties, which is why in ancient times it was referred to as magical items. Since those times, it has become a tradition that it is blackened silver that is a talisman against failures and evil. And today, even traditional medicine practitioners advise their patients with skin diseases to wear silver bracelets as an aid.

The only drawback of blackened silver is that it cannot be boiled in a soda solution. With such a reaction, the metal decays, respectively, the decorative component of the product disappears.

Over the hundreds of years of silver's existence, many ways have accumulated to transform dark patterns on it. And this is not surprising - silver as a precious metal has always been revered in society and distinguished from other metals. The silver sulphide deposit effect helps to create a black decorative frame.

It is very difficult, even impossible, to do blackening at home. Although there are different ways of self-blackening, it will not work to achieve a masterful effect. In large industries, the electroplating method is most often used. but plant "Northern Chern" looks at the question of creating blackened silver items from the other side.

This enterprise is engaged in artistic craft, which has developed in the city of Veliky Ustyug.

It should be noted that there are no analogues of the products manufactured by the Severnaya Chern plant. After all, any single decoration is made by hand.

After each blackening procedure, the silver is cleaned and filed with a special file. Thus, a conceived pattern appears on the surface of the silver.

Having at least a superficial understanding of the methods of blackening silver items, one can easily see any flaws in jewelry on the shelves of jewelry stores, for example, an uneven background or bumps. On closer inspection, you will see splashes and even streaks. These nuances indicate the negligence of the blackening process, which most likely took place on the production equipment.

Today, the easiest way to do silver blackening is a mechanical method. This will require graphite combined with iron oxide and turpentine. A mushy mass is applied over silver items and stays on them until completely dry. Residues are removed from the surface with a soft brush. Further, the protruding places are carefully treated with alcohol, thereby creating an aging effect.

The chemical blackening method is the most effective and durable... For its execution you need a mixture of silver sulfide. A powder mixture of silver, copper, lead and sulfur is laid out in the engraving places. Then the product is heated until the mass dissolves and changes color to black. Then the product goes through polishing and grinding. As a result, a neat pattern of dark color appears on the light background of silver. The beauty of the chemical method of blackening lies in the possibility of its application on patterns of any complexity of execution.

Today, blackened silver is in great demand among fashionistas and fans of antiquity.... Each product resembles the images of our ancestors. And you can also remember the legendary sword of King Arthur and the rich table of noble families, where all dishes and cutlery were made of blackened silver.

Today in every jewelry store you can find blackened rings, earrings, bracelets of varying complexity, pendants. They can be performed in different stylistic manners, but at the same time they do not lose their aesthetics and elegance.

Very often, jewelry made of blackened silver is framed by precious stones.... For example, they are combined with amber, pearls or diamonds. Accordingly, the presence of precious stones increases the cost of blackened items.

It should be noted that blackened silver is made of 925 sterling precious metal... Such jewelry and other items are highly durable, and most importantly, they do not require additional cleaning conditions.

Today, blackened silver jewelry is made in the most stylish design solutions... They are ideal for special occasions and everyday use. Blackened silver matches perfectly with any style of clothing, except for a sporty look. However, jewelers advise women to remove blackened beauty while cleaning and housework.

It should be noted that the presented type of silver is used not only in the manufacture of jewelry. Out of him make table sets, decorative interior decorations, clothing items and much more.

The main advantage of blackened silver is that it does not require chemical mixtures for cleaning. They also don't need polishing. However, it is necessary to get rid of the resulting stains of dirt from jewelry from time to time. Only this must be done very carefully so that the protective layer is not rubbed off.

In no case should you boil blackened silver and polish blackened products with sponges containing sharp abrasive particles.

There are several simple methods for properly cleaning blackened silver.

1. Soap solution. To make it, you need a little baking soda, soap, and water. A piece of soap, you can even use a remnant, must be dipped in water. Pour a pinch of soda into the liquid. When the water becomes cloudy and a soapy foam forms, you can immerse the silver in the solution for no more than 15 minutes. Further, the soap composition is drained, and the jewelry is washed under a running stream of warm water, and then thoroughly wiped off.
2. Potato infusion. You need to take raw potatoes, peel them and pour cold water over them. Put decorations there. Leave the container with the filling for about 4 hours. After the specified time, remove the silver items, rinse them with warm water and wipe them with a soft cloth.
3. Soda solution. To do this, you need to take 15 g of baking soda, dissolve it in 200 ml of water. Wipe silver objects with the prepared solution.
4. Stationery. A regular stationery eraser will help get rid of dirt. They need to rub the dirty areas of the jewelry, then rinse the silver jewelry with warm water and wipe it dry.

How to blacken silver with your own hands, see the next video.