This discolouration is called fire stain. It’s there because sterling silver is alloyed with copper and the surface of the silver through shaping, heating and sanding, now has an uneven distribution of copper and silver. I use a method called reduction gilding to remove it. I will heat the silver until the black copper oxide comes to the surface and then remove it with citric acid, repeating the process until only the white silver oxide appears when I heat it. This means I now have a very thin layer of pure fine silver on the surface and the ring will keep from tarnishing for longer, and of course the fire stain is now removed. It’s a bit of a tricky procedure since you have to do it before setting any stones and if you heat it just slightly too much the solder lines may show. #silversmith #silvertutorial #workingwithsilver #silverjewellery #silverjewelry #reductiongilding #firestain #removingfirestain #jeweller #metalwork https://www.instagram.com/p/CUXVr2UIbQW/?utm_medium=tumblr
