# Jewelry - LIquids - Pickle, Neutralizer, Water, Ultrasonics

## Introduction

There are a few chemicals in use in the jewelry area. Liquids, even water should be clearly labeled.

## Notes

### Safety

It is advisable to wear safety glasses when working with acids.

### Common Hazards

Serious eye irritation .Acids will burn through clothing and irritate skin  
The acids are heated, this will add to the effect of the acid. Flush skin with water immediately after contact.

Ultrasonic cleaner contans ammonia. Never mix it with other solutions. Damage to skin is minimal, but will dry and irritate.

### Care

### Use

### Consumables

### Materials that can and can't be used.

<span style="font-family: Nunito, sans-serif; font-weight: 400;">Silver, copper, brass</span>

<span style="font-family: Nunito, sans-serif; font-weight: 400;">Never use steel or ferrous metals in the jewelry area, especially not in the pickles.</span>

<span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Nunito, sans-serif; font-size: 2.8275em; font-weight: 400;">The tools</span>

### [![LIquids area.jpeg](https://wiki.protohaven.org/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/liquids-area.jpeg)](https://wiki.protohaven.org/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/liquids-area.jpeg)

#### Chicago electric ultrasonic

#### 008 Ultrasonic

#### Non Silver Pickle

#### Silver Pickle

#### Neutralizer (Baking soda in water)   
Water rinse

### What the solutions are, how and when to replenish

### Pickle (brand name Sparex, Sodium Bisulphate)

##### Setting Up - For 10oz warm water in the pickle pot, use up to 2 tablespoons of Sparex.  
**When mixing acids, always start with the most dilute solution first (water) then add the acid.** 

- <span class="T286Pc" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);" data-sfc-cb="" data-sfc-cp="" data-sfc-root="ep">**Dissolve:** Heat the pot to roughly 125° F to 150° F and stir with copper tongs until the granules are fully dissolved.</span>
- <span class="T286Pc" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);" data-sfc-cb="" data-sfc-cp="" data-sfc-root="ep">**Usage:** Always use <span class="" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);" data-sfc-cb="" data-sfc-cp="" data-sfc-root="ep">Copper Tongs</span> to handle metal, as steel or iron will contaminate the bath.</span>

##### The solution is depleted when it takes on a bright blue color and it no longer removes firescale. 

<div class="" data-bfc="" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);" data-ved="2ahUKEwiZqJ30n6CVAxUbEVkFHcPQIX0Qi4wTegoIAAgACAEIDhAA" id="bkmrk-here-is-what-you-nee"><div class="n6owBd awi2gc" data-complete="true" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; margin: 12px 0px 16px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);" data-hveid="CAAIAAgBCA4QAQ" data-sfc-cb="" data-sfc-cp="" data-sfc-root="ep" jsaction="" jscontroller="TDBkbc#Ml18Xb" jsuid="kXf3i_11">Here is what you need to know about the blue color:</div></div><div class="" data-bfc="" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);" data-ved="2ahUKEwiZqJ30n6CVAxUbEVkFHcPQIX0Qi4wTegoIAAgACAEIEBAA" id="bkmrk-it-means-your-pickle">- <span class="T286Pc" data-complete="true" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);" data-sfc-cb="" data-sfc-cp="" data-sfc-root="ep">**It means your pickle is working:** The color change indicates the acid is doing its job by removing surface oxidation.</span> \[[1](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuOT-U1c9XQ&t=6), [2](https://jewelrymakingjournal.com/pickling-compound-what-color-should-it-be/)\]
- <span class="T286Pc" data-complete="true" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);" data-sfc-cb="" data-sfc-cp="" data-sfc-root="ep">**It signals when to change the batch:** Fresh Sparex pickle is clear. As the liquid gets darker and turns deep blue-green, it is loaded with copper ions and its cleaning power is becoming depleted.</span> \[[1](https://orchid.ganoksin.com/t/pickle-and-polishing-clarification/10311), [2](http://technical-articles.hooverandstrong.com/wordpress/pickle-cleaning-up-after-soldering/), [3](https://www.reddit.com/r/jewelers/comments/xz00rb/blue_pickle_has_anyone_ever_had_their_pickle/), [4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuOT-U1c9XQ&t=6)\]
- <span class="T286Pc" data-complete="true" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);" data-sfc-cb="" data-sfc-cp="" data-sfc-root="ep">**<span class="yADgie" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);">Watch out for "copper plating":</span>**<span class="yADgie" data-copy-service-computed-style="font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 0px rgb(10, 10, 10);"> If you accidentally introduce a steel tool (like steel tweezers or binding wire) into a blue pickling bath, it causes a chemical reaction that forces the dissolved copper to plate right back onto your silver piece. Always use copper, plastic, or brass tongs.</span></span> \[[1](https://orchid.ganoksin.com/t/getting-rid-of-sparex-copper-plate/31615), [2](https://www.tiktok.com/@kristenmoorejewelry/video/7492534249719876895), [3](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuOT-U1c9XQ&t=6)\]

</div>
### Using the Solution

### Cleaning Up

###