They were polished for a few hours in the tumbler to smooth off any burrs.........
Then they are dunked into a jam jar full of hot liver of sulphur......
This is where I may or may not differ from some other silversmiths. I don't have my stones set when the pieces get oxidized. I don't like to thermo shock the gems that I am using (this has been learned through bitter experience!) I also use a lot of turquoise and depending on how old the stone is or who prepared it, it might be somewhat porous... and I don't want the liver of sulphur to mark the stones.
These are still wet and fresh from the liver of sulphur solution.
You might notice that I have 'blue tack' stuck into some of the bezels? When I am using clear or opaque stones I like to protect the bright silver from getting oxidized..... that way there is bright shiny silver shining through the stone rather than blackened/grey silver.... and it makes the gem stones more vibrant........
Next I get out my steel wool. I hate steel wool with a passion. It is fine threads of steel.........that get everywhere. It is messy and dirty and gets in your hair, nostrils and any yummy beverage that you may have nearby. It is ruthless on your hands and shreds finger tips and manicures....... BUT....... I have found nothing that polishes into the patina as nicely.........
So I tolerate it.
The pieces have to be scrubbed with a toothbrush afterwards because my work has a lot of fine detail and those little buggers of steel threads get snagged everywhere. If you miss even one stray thread it will have rusted onto your piece by the next day leaving a nasty rust colored mark.... not a good look.
Nearly there!...........
All that remains is to set the stones. That will be done tonight at my breakfast counter when the kids have gone to bed. Fingers crossed the no stones break/crumble/chip or get scratched in the process. It is pretty disheartening to get to this stage and then break a stone......... Actually it's soul destroying.... but does happen :-(
Then they will be all ready to photograph tomorrow.........................
7 comments:
Looking good! I always Los first too. But I tumble after I've set the stones. I was always afraid if I tumbled first the bezels would be too work hardened to smooth down nicely. I learned something new today! :-)
Those are going to be so gorgeous!! And that is too funny, my LOS goes in a jelly jar too! (I also oxidize and tumble before setting stones)
Can't wait to see these, Louise. You are much more productive in a week than I am!
I oxidise first too, unless I make the stupid mistake of checking how the stone looks and then can't get it out..... And yes I've done it more than once!!!!
My LOS goes in a goose fat jar - its squat and wide!!!
Thanks girls....
Amy.... We all do it our own way I suppose... whatever works for you!
Jo.... I've done that too....lol
Julie..... I have this fear that one day I might not be able to make ever again (irrational I know)... so it really spurs me on to make as much as I can.... while I can LO
mwah to you all......
Looking good...you sure have been a busy bee. Your goal must have been to make it hard for one girl to deceide..I may have to make a couple of purchases...Hope you have a great night...and good luck this weekend with a house full of little guys..What a great mum you are!
OMG genius idea to shove blu tack in the settings when LOS'ing!! I always dip and then have to polish off the patina under stones.... will be using your method from now on!! They all look gorgeous, but that 3 stone ring is going to be awesome!!
Everything is looking great!
I have had stones get stuck before... now I use fine dental floss under the stone so that I can pull it back out.
Can't wait to see the final shots! xo
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