Silver Prep is an all natural non-toxic pickle mix that can be used as a traditional pickle for fine silver, sterling silver, copper and gold. Silver Prep is used to depletion gild sterling silver to fire directly in metal clay or to fuse metal clay directly to sterling silver during firing. All the details here-- Silver Prep is an all natural non-toxic pickle mix that can be used as a traditional pickle for sterling silver, gold and copper . Silver Prep is used to depletion gild sterling silver to fire directly in metal clay or to fuse metal clay directly to sterling silver. The traditional jewelers' pickle is a chemical called sodium bisulphate. Sodium bisulphate works well as a pickle, but it's a by product of making hydrochloric acid and is a hazardous chemical. It gives off toxic fumes when mixed with water (even if the water is not heated), and because it's a highly corrosive chemical, it must be carefully neutralized before disposing of it. Silver Prep is an all natural pickle mix that has been created especially for home jewelers and metal clay artists. Compared to sodium bisulphate, Silver-Prep actually works faster for removing oxides from sterling silver, is safe to use, organic and completely non-toxic. It does cost more than sodium bisulphate, but it goes a long way and I feel good about using it. It can be saved and re-used again and again, adding water to it as it evaporates. When disposed of, it can be diluted and safely poured down a drain.
