[Jewelry making - Article 00021] - Re: [Orchid] liver of sulfur revisited

[MidLife Crisis Enterprises]

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>     1) How long does a batch (made up of dry stuff) normally last (how
>     can I tell when it is bad)?  The batch I made up is a pea yellow/green
>     color and now has a light frothy coating over the surface.  Is this
>     normal?

    If it is clearish it is dead.  Usually lasts only a few days.  Put in
    brown glass, keep it in the dark.  It is really pretty cheap to buy
    the solid form and make a new batch as needed. 

>     2) Is there any down side to re-heating it in the microwave?  How
>     warm would the piece have to be if I were using l of s at room
>     temperature?  Would running it under hot water be good enough?

    Don't know this one,,, I only heat the piece not the liquid as I do
    bronze sculpture.  Running the piece under or putting it in hot water
    would do well. 

>     3) Is it safe to immerse stones breifly in it?  I assume pearls
>     wouldn't be okay, likewise maybe opal, any others or should I steer
>     clear of all stones in the solution?

    Don't know about pearls but not a problem with opals.  It is really
    pretty benign in reactivity, being really reactive only with copper. 

>     4) Is neutralizing the solution with baking soda all I need to do to
>     dispose of it safely?  We are on a septic (I read the discussion about
>     that) and I do not have access at all to city sewage (we are very
>     rural).  Any other considerations for disposal?

    We too are on septic in the country.  Actually wouldn't hurt to to
    put in on your plants.  We are VERY sulphur short and most ANY form
    of sulphur helps.  Huge amounts of many forms of sulphur are used
    every year on pears, apples, some nuts, grapes and many other fruits,
    vegetables and flowers.  Sulphur is a very important nutrient for
    both soil biological activity and plant growth.  If nothing else,
    leave the container of liver of sulphur open for a day or 2 and in
    the sun and it will neutralize itself.  As and additional note, there
    are many forms of sulphur spays available at your local nursery which
    are much more stable than liver of sulphur mixes and work just as
    well or better.  Poly sulfide is one, it is cheap, works well on
    copper and is relatively stable.  Just a thought. 

John Dach 

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