Give Shiny Findings a Natural Look

When you're using gemstones and other natural components in your jewelry designs, you might want your findings to take on a more natural, aged look that complements them. There are a variety of patinas on the market that you can use to instantly transform your findings.

Before oxidizing your findings, it may be necessary to rub them lightly with fine grit sandpaper. For more dramatic effects, you can use hammers and other implements to texture the surfaces of the findings. This is definitely an organic type of process and you'll have to experiment to see which treatments are best suited to your designs.

Liver or Sulfur is probably the most popular and common patina for silver findings. It's available in pellet and gel form. It's a chemical compound that works quickly to create an evenly tarnished finish.

Be sure to follow these safety measures when working with Liver of Sulfur:
- Use in well-ventilated area.
- Wear gloves and safety glasses.
- Dedicate containers and tools exclusively for use with Liver of Sulfur.

Brush Liver of Sulfer gel onto the finding and watch as the color changes. Once it has satisfactorily turned color, rinse it well with cold, soapy water.

You can raise highlights from the oxidized metal by brushing it with a brass brush, polishing it with steel wool, or using a polishing cloth. This gives the raised areas a little shine, while leaving the recessed areas darker. To remove more of the oxidation, gently brush a mild solution of baking soda and water onto the components and rinse.

To burnish your findings, you can tumble them in a rotary tumbler with steel shot and burnishing compound. This will remove any flaky plating, even-out the color, and give your findings a hand-finished look. To seal the oxidized metal, rub archival wax onto the findings.