Oxidizing

[Former_Member]

I am wondering if any steel products or aluminum can be oxidized for chain maille or wire wrapping.... I want to work with sterling silver, but the price is high for me. I am planning on practicing on steel or aluminum, but I don't know if they can be oxidized..

Has anyone worked with these metals before?? I know I have been reading that aluminum is very light. Other than that I don't know anything about either of these metals. Do either of them work similarly to sterling?

Any info would help
Thanks
Stacy

[Former_Member]

I'll keep the thread alive for you.
I wish I had an answer for you.

[bddesigns]

I know that I have actually accidentally oxidized some steel tools of mine before, so steel can be oxidized, but not sure about aluminum...

[dmsupply]

I don't think it would be practical to try and oxidize these.(I asked my husband about it) He said they may get a darker film but it would wipe off and aluminum ends up getting a whitish coloring. And steel may just end up rusting. Anyhoo...

Why not try silver filled wire. It's half the price of sterling and you can easily darken it. Try riogrande.com. They seem like they have the best price for silver filled wire.

[wavejewelry]

You can also buy anodized aluminum wire in a variety of colors including black.

[Former_Member]

I would use stainless steel to prevent rusting. I don't want anodized aluminum because the colors wear off.

I just don't like the idea of silver filled I guess.

Thank you though.

I think stainless steel or sterling would bring more interest from people. I know when I go to buy jewelry that those are the only two metals I would buy...

[janeeroberti]

Gun Blacking is process of oxidizing steel: many methods, you can google or Instructibles , etc. Been done for centuries with gun and swordsmiths.

I've been successfully oxidizing aluminum, with variety of same chemicals used in steel blackening. I don 't have a formula ( right now it is like magic!) : but there is hope.