Important: Safety Warning
This page describes trade processes that use dangerously toxic materials such as cyanide solutions, mercury amalgams, or strong acids. These processes require training, equipment, and precautions far beyond what the text describes.
This information has been left in for historical purposes but should not be acted upon.
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To Oxidize Silver
A very beautiful effect is produced upon the surface which gives the surface an appearance of polished steel. This can be easily effected by taking a little chloride of platinum, prepared methods are used. The chloride must be repeatedly washed with distilled water, and placed in a zinc cup; a little diluted sulphuric acid being added, the chloride is soon reduced. as described in the next receipt, heating the The silver, when thoroughly washed, is quite pure. In the absence of a zinc cup, a porcelain cup containing a zinc plate may be used. The process is expedited by warming the cup. (See No. 3536.)