Comments on: How Do I Remove the Silver/Gold Coloring from Inexpensive Jewelry to Reveal the Copper Underneath?

By: Dian

Dian — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 17:36:28 +0000

I would wear them as they are

By: Melanie Shigeoka

Melanie Shigeoka — Fri, 28 Sep 2018 02:22:59 +0000

Thank you all for you help. I will definitely keep it in mind.
Melanie Shigeoka

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 18:23:51 +0000

In reply to Michelle. Michelle, thank you so much for that information! :)

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 18:00:30 +0000

Instead of removing the color, maybe you can try copper plating. This technique is used to copper plate silver solder points on copper jewelry or to copper plate an entire item. Whether it works will depend on the metal and the coating or metal plating that remains on the item. Use pickle that has turned medium to dark blue from use with copper. The darker the better. Place the item in the blue pickle. Use copper or steel tongs to hold a cotton ball sized wad of fine steel wool. While the item is in the pickle, touch (don’t rub) the steel wool to the item all over and/or leave the item next to the steel wool. Check every few minutes. The dissolved copper is repelled by the steel and attaches to other metals. Then, remove the item and neutralize it for a few seconds in water mixed with some baking soda. Rinse. The finish may be dull, so brush with a brass brush or tumble. There are many types of pickle and I’ve heard this won’t work with pickle made with alum.

If you don’t normally use pickle and are starting from scratch, you can make pickle with a cup of white vinegar and a tablespoon of salt in a plastic, glass, or ceramic container. Place some copper wire or copper scrap in the pickle until some or all of the copper dissolves and the pickle turns blue. This means the pickle is saturated with copper. This may take hours or days. The copper may even dissolve completely. Never pour used pickle down the drain. Let it evaporate, then wipe out the sediment and put it in the trash. Good luck!

By: Margaret

Margaret — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 19:00:50 +0000

I’ve actually come to like the “pinkish” look of silver plate wearing off copper. I’ve even deliberately made some pieces anticipating the color change eventually.

By: Judith

Judith — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 14:19:46 +0000

I like the older pieces showing both colors due to wear. Look is ‘vintage’. Otherwise I’d use the fine steel wool as Judy suggested.

By: Judy Bjorkman

Judy Bjorkman — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 11:36:01 +0000

Rena, your earlier discussion is very helpful. If trying steel wool, I recommend the finest grade (OOOO) — it’s not likely to leave scratches. Also, Melanie, the photos you included with your question show jewelry that, IMHO, looks pretty good as bi-color pieces, i.e., you may not need to get all of the original plating off, And, if you got most of it off, except in the crevices, try a dark patina on the piece, to cover up the plating there (this last idea is theoretical,on my part). Good luck!
Judy Bjorkman

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 22:05:15 +0000

Hi Melanie, you may find some helpful tips in the comments on this post: How Do I Strip Old Costume Jewelry Coating?. For any technique you experiment with for removing outer layers or coating, it's a good idea to first do a test run on a small area on the back of your component. Then you can see how the technique will (or won’t) work on the sample, without ruining your piece. I hope this helps, and I'm interested in other tips and ideas for this too! :)