Luster Gel – a new way to color silver!

Create a full rainbow of colored patinas on silver with new Luster Gel.

Iridescent Luster Gel for Silver is a brand-new product that makes it easy to change the color of silver jewelry. Unlike patina solutions that mostly* darken or oxidize the metal, Luster Gel creates a whole rainbow of different colors. The best part is, the colors appear in a reliable order! (*I say mostly because it is possible to get cool rainbows when using liver of sulfur… however, the process is less predictable and may require additional chemicals or heat.)

** 2020 Update: We loved Luster Gel at first, but the last couple years our customers had a lot of problems with it. It seems much less stable now, and at least half the people who used it in 2018 through early 2020, reported that it didn’t work at all and/or was discolored or dry when they received it. The others who gave us feedback said they had to use heat to get it to work, and they can achieve a similar effect with other forms of sulfur. So we no longer carry this product. **

Two options instead of Luster Gel are:

• Search ganoksin or other jeweler’s forums, or take a class, or read a classic silversmithing book, to learn how to use traditional liver of sulfur (not the gel form) plus heat to produce rainbow effects similar to the photos in this blog.
• Search the internet (especially youtube) for information on anodizing silver with sodium hydroxide (lye) and sulfur. This gives stunning colors, but it is definitely more hazardous than traditional liver of sulfur.

Sterling silver Buddha / bodhisattva beads before and after being treated with Luster Gel. The blue color takes 20-30 minutes to achieve.

Sterling silver, fine silver and silver-plated jewelry pieces can all be colorized with Luster Gel. Since patinas are created via chemical reactions, anti-tarnish treatments and coatings could interfere with the gel’s performance. Also, follow the basic chemical safety rules when working with this product: avoid skin contact, wear eye protection and work in a well-ventilated area. Don’t eat it either!

Iridescent Luster Gel for Silver

Luster Gel is sold in a 4 oz. jar and needs to be mixed with water and the included activator powder prior to use.

Luster Gel gets its green color from cupric (copper) acetate.

For each batch of Luster Solution, mix, in order:

1. 100 ml (about 3.5 oz.) filtered water (use warm – not hot – water for a more rapid color change)
2. 30 ml (1 oz. / 2 tablespoons) Luster Gel (stir before use)
3. 1/2 teaspoon Luster Activator (powder)

Once mixed with the activator, the Luster Solution turns dark orange.

Dip your piece into the solution (use a string or a plastic hook, or wear gloves, to avoid touching the solution). Over the next 30 minutes, the silver will change from yellow to gold, then orange – red – brown – purple – and finally blue. If you leave it in longer, it will go through the same color-change process again, only this time the colors will be deeper and more iridescent.

All of the colors pictured here occur within 30 minutes, starting with gold (top left) after about 5 minutes in the solution and ending with deep blue after a full 30 minutes. On the far right are plain sterling pieces to show the transformation.

Once you are happy with the color, pull your piece out of the solution, rinse with clean water and allow it to air dry. Once it is completely dry, seal it with Renaissance Wax or a clear spray sealer to protect the finish. That’s it. Super easy!

When you are done, mix baking soda into the Luster Solution to neutralize it. At that point you may safely dispose of it by washing it down the drain. Happy rainbows to you! ~ Cindy