Something strange happened to my bangle whilst pickling

[Claire D]

Hello everyone,

I started to make three identical bangles yesterday, the first two turned out perfectly but the third one has gone a really strange grey colour whilst in the pickle. It almost looks like it's been oxidised but in a very patchy way! The only thing I did differently with this one was that I was pushed for time and instead of leaving my pickle pot (slow cooker) switched onto hot I turned it off completely whilst I went out, then I left it in cold overnight. This morning I thought it still looked a bit discoloured around the join so I switched the pickle back on and left it, and the next thing I knew it had gone this grey colour! I didn't have anything else in there and only use brass tweezers so really am completely baffled as to what can have caused it!

If anybody can please tell me so I don't do it again I will be very happy!

Thanks, Claire

[Dennis]

This happens when you pickle for too long. It's known as too much of a good thing. Re-heat the bangle with a torch and put it back into warm pickle . It should return to normal Clare. (I hope) Dennis.

[caroleallen]

It only happens when the pickle is getting spent. When it starts to look blue it needs replacing.

[Claire D]

Oh cool, thank you. At least it sounds easily fixable! And I was sure I read somewhere that it was ok to leave it in the pickle indefinitely -although I can't remember where. Will have to inspect it for blueness too.

Thanks so much

[camalidesign]

Leaving the item in the pickle for long periods is not a good thing, it will "eat away" at the solder join and might make it fail... Best to pickle "quickly" (until it's done!) and get the item out.

[Claire D]

Oh no I had no idea it could do that! The solder join still looks ok thank goodness - I won't be doing that again!