My apologies! I last read your article a year and a half ago when Trish first posted it and I didn't make the connection. I just went back to read it again and thoroughly enjoyed your thouroughness.Â
It is interesting that you found that the salt of copper--copper nitrate--worked better than copper sulphate. One wonders why copper sulphate has been traditionally used. Good work!
I thought I would mention one thing that stood out to me. I noted that you calculated a high cost for the silver nitrate solution. The concentration that I am using provides 750 ml for a one time cost of $30 (assuming 15 grams from a 25 gram bottle purchased for today's price of $50). That seems very affordable for having the joy of etching silver without having to use noxious chemicals or chemicals that need to be replaced. I would note that in use there is, over time, loss of solution due to evaporation and some being soaked up by the coffee filters and some being rinsed off, etc. I add distilled water from time to time and then less often drop in a couple of crystals of silver nitrate in an effort to approximate the lost solution. Technically the exact makeup of the solution will not remain constant over time, but I haven't found that it matters. I just bring this up because I hope people who want to etch silver will not feel discouraged.
Another thing that I found very interesting is the idea of not rinsing off the sludge. Frankly, it never occurred to me to leave it on. I am eager to try it and see the pattern that it will leave. Amazing how you learn something new every time you read something. Ha. Can't wait to read it again and see what I learn.Â
Thank you, Raymond, for putting so much effort into your writings.   vera
Dear Vera,
Thank you very much for the information about the silver nitrate - you have encouraged me to try it out.
One point intrigues me,- I presume that the scraps of silver will contain 7.5% of copper if etching sterling silver. Maybe you etch pure silver in which case the issue does not arise.
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Thank you again.
Raymond
Yes, I etch fine silver for enameling. It works as well on Sterling and your scrap would then be Sterling. When I turn in my etching scrap I am also sending in mixed Sterling and fine silver sheet and wire. Everything is considered Sterling. The refiner counts my fine silver powder as Sterling because they don't assay it separately...that would incur a charge higher than the amount I'm turning in. So if I were etching both metals I would not try to keep them separate.
