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Thread: Protecting Original Patina.

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2021
    Posts
    25

    Default Protecting Original Patina.

    Hello again all, If possible I'd like some advice on how I might tackle this.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    The above is my attempt at using an ancient copper coin in a piece of jewellery.
    While going about things as I normally would, (Soldering, Pickling etc) I caused damage to the original patina.

    I had read that putting anything copper into your pickling solution was a bad idea, so I tried to make a string mount to submerge it, (Copper coin to the top, untouched ideally) but I then promptly dropped the whole thing into the pickling solution.
    That was an obvious error. I think that lead to the blueish oxidisation you can see,.

    But I also found that even soldering around it really changed the surface patina of the coin, and I'm not sure how I would avoid that.

    So, the question I have is this:
    Is there anything I can do to fully protect the coin while working around it. Is there anything I could cover it with that won't effect the surface?
    Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    1,844

    Default

    First of all there is no problem with Copper in pickle most of us use Copper tongs, it is steel you don't want.
    I would make the ring and finish/polish, fit the coin last, carefully burnishing the edge over, with a highly polished burnisher.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Scotland
    Posts
    3,392

    Default

    As Bob suggests. If you’ve already had the coin through all those processes though you’ll have taken off the original patina which gave the coin it’s charm. You’ll now have to either patinate once set or allow it to patinate naturally over time

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    cotswolds
    Posts
    3,383

    Default

    I have to add that I like the Verdigris effect a lot - I'd be looking to replicate it rather than lose it!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2021
    Posts
    25

    Default

    So much to learn! I love it.

    For some reason, It never occurred to me to treat the coin like a cabochon. I saw copper, and silver and soldered them together.
    The whole point was to treat the coin and all its glorious age with respect, so this has been very helpful for me.

    I can't thank you all enough.

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