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Hot bluing problem

 

I am hot bluing bits and spurs with silver overlayed. The last bit I blued, the silver came out with a copper looking tint. What am I doing wrong?

Gary Johnson
- Windsor, California, USA

Gary, as coincidence would have it I have the same name and I'm also bluing spurs in an oven. I found if I mount sterling silver on the spurs-throw in the oven-the silver will come with a gold tarnish. If you use fine silver it won't do it. I'm having troubles with oven bluing also so am for sure no expert. Good Luck!

Gary L. Johnson
- Gillette, WY, USA

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Hey guys,
I am a silversmith and will be getting into making bits and spurs myself. I recently spoke with an old bit maker and he mentioned that if you leave sterling (.925) silver in the blueing agent too long it will get that "gold tarnish" look. He said to leave it in for about 10 minutes. But, I don't know if he was doing this process in the oven.

Clendon Pete
- Flagstaff, Arizona
June 10, 2008