Blackened silver: varieties of shades, features of black jewelry, antique niello techniques

Silver and its types

Silver is part of the main group of precious metals, which are united by inertness, natural rarity, and high ductility. This element has a silver-white color, better thermal conductivity and is capable of reflecting up to 95% of light.

In its pure form, the metal is not used to create jewelry because it does not have sufficient strength. Silver is doped with various impurities, which makes it possible to improve wear resistance, casting qualities, and change the shade and melting point.

Blackened earrings and ring
There are several varieties of lunar metal, which differ from each other in the way they are decorated. The same silver alloy can look different if finishing operations such as blackening or filigree are applied to it.

Matte

Externally, matte metal resembles sterling. Using this technology, they create exclusive souvenirs, decorative items, and writing utensils.

The matte alloy consists of 92.5% silver. Usually the remainder is copper, but sometimes the material is doped with other impurities.

The surface of the material can acquire a matte tint using one of the following operations:

• Sandblasting;
• Application of vibration heating;
• The impact of a special essence;

Matting with sandblasting is used in large factories, since this method is the most expensive. Special granules are loaded inside the apparatus that processes the surface. Using mechanical action, they give the surface a matte tint.

Industrial blackening of silver

In their workshops, jewelers carry out blackening on silver using one of the following methods:

• Mechanical. It involves mixing iron oxide and graphite, and then adding turpentine to this mixture. Then carefully cover the product with the resulting substance, wait until it dries completely, and wipe the entire surface with a suede rag pre-moistened in alcohol. Interesting! Electroplating is one of the subtypes of mechanical blackening of silver. In this case, the electrolysis method is used. But products on which niello is applied in this way quickly lose their attractive appearance, since the coating wears off after a short time.
• Chemical. It is carried out using a powder that includes silver, zinc, lead and sulfur. It is poured into all recesses of the product, which, together with the substance, is heated to the required temperature. Due to the heat, the powder begins to melt, firmly ingraining itself into the jewelry. Then the jewelers can only grind and polish the product.

You may be interested in: Silver hallmarking: what does the hallmark mean on silver products from the Tsarist era to the present?

What is rabble? History of technology

The technique of blackening silver has been known since the dawn of civilization. The oldest work, a blackened silver horn found inside a pagan burial, dates back to the end of the 9th century.

Jewelry made of blackened silver
In Russia, metal began to be blackened in the 10th century; archaeologists have found many pendants, bracelets, and moonlights of that era, processed using this technique. Silver niello has become a real diamond in the crown of Russian jewelry. The traditions of the ancient craft are preserved by many craftsmen to this day.

The technique can be briefly described as follows: crushed niello is sprinkled on a metal surface that has previously been engraved. The surface is fired, after which a black tone appears on it, firmly fused with the base.

Silver, gold, platinum, and many other metals can be blackened.

Technique for applying black at home

It is not difficult to find methods for blackening silver at home. Iodine is used for this. The method is used for products with three-dimensional designs - embossing, embossing. Iodine is applied to the item with a cotton swab; after it dries, the decoration is wiped with a cloth and a small amount of toothpaste. This leaves darkness in the recesses. But, of course, this coating fades quickly and differs in color from the more saturated professional one.

Silver rings with high-quality blackening

Methods for obtaining blackened silver

There are several ways to produce black on precious metals. Silver alloys tend to oxidize over time, but blackening can easily hide this flaw.

Silver bracelet with blackening

Mechanical method

The technology involves manual application of dark patterns. First, a special paste is made from graphite with iron oxide and a small amount of turpentine. The resulting paste is used to cover those areas of the product that will contrast with the silver background.

The product is allowed to dry completely, after which the excess paste is removed with a soft cloth soaked in alcohol.

A variation of the mechanical method is electrolysis. Both methods can be done at home.

Chemical method

The chemical method is the most common because it is easy to implement and also contributes to the formation of a durable coating.

The step-by-step process looks like this:

1. The engraved product is sprinkled with manganese, copper, sulfur, and lead. The final shade will depend on the amount of sulfur; the more of it, the deeper the tone.
2. The product is placed inside the oven. Under the influence of temperature, the powder eats into the relief of the object.
3. The finished work is removed from the oven and allowed to cool.

Oxidation

The method involves alternately placing the processed object inside special essences. The technology allows you to cheaply obtain a uniform coating on a surface of any complexity.

Oxidized metal is often passed off as blackened. Visually, the materials are indeed similar, but vary greatly in quality.

Classic blackening of silver is more durable. Chemically produced oxide film wears off much faster. The service life of such a coating will depend on the thickness of the applied layer.

Rhodium plating and ruthenium

Rhodium is a rare noble metal. With its help, silver is protected from deformation and painted gray-black.

Blackening technique

But blackened silver is considered the most aristocratic. This technique flourished in the seventeenth century. Then, with the help of blackening, they gave the products elaborate patterns. It was considered prestigious to have objects made of this type of precious metal in the house, for example, cigarette cases, cutlery and even furniture.

Due to the difference in the colors of ordinary and blackened silver, maps, engravings depicting nature, and animals were drawn. Sometimes the cost of such products reached several thousand dollars. They are still valued, especially the old handmade ones, and are sold at auctions for incredible amounts of money.

Therefore, buyers today are still interested in the question: what is blackened silver and what is the essence of the technique? The answer is very simple: blackening is a technique in which silver sulphide is deposited on the product. This, of course, can be achieved if you simply do not clean the jewelry, but such blackening will be uneven and cheap. But jewelers carry out this procedure in two ways:

• Mechanical blackening of silver involves mixing graphite with iron oxide and adding turpentine to this mixture. Next, the substance is carefully applied to the silver item or its parts, wait until it dries, and then wipe with a suede rag soaked in alcohol. A variation of the mechanical method is the use of galvanization. In production, solutions with reagents are poured into special baths and two electrodes are placed there. A decoration is attached to one of them, and current is passed through the other. The process is called electrolysis and allows you to evenly apply a layer of blackening to the product. True, this layer will be more superficial and susceptible to abrasion. And also it cannot be applied to individual areas of the decoration; the product turns out to be completely blackened.
• The chemical procedure involves using a powder consisting of a mixture of metals: silver, zinc, lead, sulfur. This powder is poured into parts of the product and then, together with the decoration, is heated to the desired temperature. Next, the powder melts and eats into the product, coloring it black. The procedure involves polishing and polishing the product.

Blackened silver bracelet

The main thing is to remember when choosing jewelry that blackened silver and oxidized silver differ from each other. Oxidized jewelry is a product on which a layer of oxide film has been applied. This method is cheaper and was invented for additional protection of jewelry. The oxide film quickly wears off when worn and is cheaper than a blackened product. They can be distinguished by their appearance: the shade of oxidized silver is darker than that of blackened silver and the details of the decoration have a non-uniform color.

Black silver price per 1 gram

The cost of a silver alloy depends on its purity. You can buy jewelry made of blackened silver in various jewelry boutiques, buying stores, pawn shops, and on Internet sites.

In order to find out the current cost of blackened metal, it is convenient to use the table:

The actual cost largely depends on the pricing policy of the selling store.

Use of blackened silver

The material has many fans around the world. The “antique” effect attracts buyers of all ages, and gives craftsmen ample opportunities for creativity.

During the Soviet era, the “Northern Chern” plant was created, which produces products in accordance with Russian traditions. Silver objects are decorated with mythical images of Ancient Rus', city panoramas, and floral patterns. The product catalog of “Northern Chernya” is striking in its diversity and is expanding from year to year.

The relevance of black silver jewelry

Each jewelry boutique offers a wide range of products made from black lunar metal. In the display cases you can see rings, earrings, chains, rings, pendants, bracelets, amulets made from this material.

Products from Kubachi, a Dagestan village where the legendary forge of exclusive items made of blackened metal is located, are in great demand. The technologies of Kubachi fishing are kept secret; all products are created by hand. Kubachi craftsmen use special ornamentation techniques, such as tutta, marharai, tamga.

The scarlet precious metal is used by famous jewelry houses to create collections; it is perfect for the most stylish design solutions.

Stones for blackened silver

Often products are inlaid with amethysts, amber, cubic zirconia, diamonds, and pearls. These stones look most advantageous with black and white material.

Advantages and disadvantages of blackened silver jewelry

The material has a number of undeniable advantages:

Attractive appearance;

Does not require careful regular care;

Has bactericidal, antifungal, antiseptic effects;

Stronger than ordinary silver;

The disadvantages include the following characteristics:

More expensive than precious metal without sputtering;

Cannot be cleaned using many traditional methods;

Silver with blackening

Professional blackening of silver

Blackening , which is carried out at jewelry factories, is durable and allows you to create the finest designs. Professional processing of products involves several stages. First, the product is minted, engraved, and then a solution is applied, including copper, lead and silver. In order for the niello to reliably “stick” to the decoration, its surface must be perfectly clean and free of grease. After applying the ink, the item is heated to melt the solution and “solder” it to the jewelry.

Another way to perform the blackening technique is galvanic . Metal oxides are deposited on the surface of products in special containers using electrolysis. One charge is created on the alloy, and another charge is created along the perimeter of the galvanic “bath”. The charges attract, creating the desired product. This method is used when creating large batches of blackened jewelry.

Recently, the “oxidation” technique is often used - it is inferior in quality to classical blackening. Silver is simply covered with a film that quickly wears off and does not have a contrasting color.

Rules for the care and storage of products

The jewelry is perfect for classic outfits, will be the highlight of a formal look, and is suitable for everyday wear. It is better to refrain from wearing them with tracksuits.

It is recommended to remove products before cleaning, visiting the pool, or training. If the jewelry is encrusted with precious stones, it should be protected from contact with chemicals and direct sunlight.

Products should be stored separately from other jewelry; jewelry bags or boxes with soft inner lining are ideal for these purposes. You can put chalk or silica gel inside the box; they will absorb excess moisture.

It is also recommended to store chains and rings separately, this will help avoid the appearance of creases.

Cleaning methods at home

Caring for silver niello is much easier than caring for naturally colored metal. The dark surface is not subject to the formation of gray film and plaque. However, it must be cleaned of accumulated dirt.

Cleaning a silver chain

Soap solution

To prepare the solution, you will need soap, baking soda, and running water.

Ways to tarnish silver at home

You can give lunar metal an unusual dark shade yourself. It is worth considering that the described methods will have a temporary effect. The dark shade will not be as durable and bright as with professional blackening.

Iodine staining

The method is ideal for products with a three-dimensional pattern.

You need to moisten a cotton swab with iodine, rub the pattern with the reagent, and leave until completely dry. After this, the pattern should be wiped with a damp cloth, after applying a little fluoride-free toothpaste to it. Convex parts of the surface will become light, hard-to-reach parts will darken.

Patination of silver with iodine

Impact of boiled egg

A brief description of the method is as follows:

1. The chicken egg needs to be hard-boiled, peeled, and divided into two parts.
2. The egg is placed inside a container with an airtight lid. In this container you need to hang a silver item by a thread.
3. After a few hours, the product is removed.

Hydrogen sulfide vapor allows you to give the surface a uniform dark shade.

Using sulfur ointment and a hair dryer

Sulfur ointment is sold at any pharmacy; this inexpensive product is perfect for home blackening. Sulfur causes oxidation of the lunar metal, which contributes to the formation of a dark layer of silver sulfide.

Use ointment to lubricate those areas of the pattern that need to be darkened. Next, you need to set the hair dryer to full power and direct a stream of hot air to the treated areas.

After 5-10 minutes, you can begin polishing the product using a soft cloth and fluoride-free toothpaste.

Blackening silver at home

Blackening of jewelry is carried out not only by professionals or in large enterprises, where the whole process is brought to automation, but it can also be done at home. Blackened silver is obtained in a very affordable way, the materials for which are likely to be found in everyone’s household or can be purchased at the nearest store.

There are several methods that people have come up with for the process of denigrating jewelry. Here are some of them:

First way

For this method you will need:

• egg,
• sealed container,
• thread.

First of all, clean the silver with alcohol or any antiseptic to get the best effect. After this, boil a hard-boiled egg, cut into 2 parts, after removing the shell. Then you should hang the decorations on a rope or thin fishing line in the container where the cut egg will already lie, and close the container so that air does not penetrate there. After half an hour or a little longer, but no more than an hour, you can take it out. The process must be monitored to achieve the desired blackening effect and not to overdo it. Then, in your opinion, the product has become what you wanted to see, you can open the container and take out the product.

Second way

Another method is not so simple. To implement it, you need sulfur ointment, which is sold at the pharmacy. The ointment is applied to the jewelry or to those surfaces that should darken, then a stream of hot air is directed to this place. Under the influence of a hair dryer, the silver will begin to turn black before your eyes. Upon completion of the procedure, the product is polished with regular toothpaste and a brush. You just need to be extremely careful not to accidentally remove the coating.

Third way

Perhaps the most democratic option. All you need is iodine and accuracy, but this method is only suitable for jewelry with relief. Iodine should be applied with a cotton swab and very carefully, regularly removing excess. After this treatment, you should place the jewelry in the sun to strengthen the blackening effect.

Reviews

I purchased women's stud earrings made of blackened metal. The earrings have a simple flower shape, but they attract the eye thanks to the “antique” material. Previously, I was skeptical about blackening, I thought that it was an analogue of gilding. Now I’m thinking of completely switching to black silver products.

Maria L., Kostroma

Svetlana K., Moscow

I order silver jewelry through Avito from private craftsmen. The product is always high quality and exclusive. The last time I ordered a man's amulet for the neck. I was very pleased, amazing work, decent quality of material.

I never thought that fine jewelry could be called “rabble.” I purchased several rings made of blackened precious metal to complement my daily look. Even my husband didn’t stand aside; he bought himself a gray and black chain; it looks much more brutal than classic chains.

Zhanna R. g, Stavropol