silver nitrate

updated fri 7 dec 01

bruce/sue johnson on mon 28 apr 97

I would like any help that I could get on the the how to"s of using silver
nitrate or bismuth. I make my living firing copper matt and would and
like to increase my menu. I heard that it is nasty stuff what should I
watch out for. Does it fade? I have 4 books on Raku, they mention it but
none give the nuts and bolts of how to do it. Is there any written
material on it. Do you have to give it any special type of post reduction?
Do you just put the metals in or mix with water first.Does anyone have some
previous folders on it? Thanks Bruce Johnson Lake mills wis.
Bjohnson@intaccess

SBRANFPOTS@aol.com on thu 8 may 97

Regarding a recent post asking about the use of silver nitrate:

In my book Raku: A Practical Approach I do talk about using silver nitrate.
It can be used as a wash to be painted or sprayed on or mixed into a glaze.
It is light sensitive so only prepare the amount you are going to use. Store
any leftover in an opaque container and keep it in a dark place. It is also
very corrosive and will stain your skin so wear rubber gloves. Even though
you must thoroughly wash your brushes and other tools that you might use to
apply it, they will still eventually corrode so have some tools dedicated to
silver nitrate use. Only a small amount is necessary, a couple a grams or a
few crystals mixed with hot water for a wash. For a glaze, dissolve the
crystals in hot water and then add it to the glaze after the glaze has been
mixed and screened. SIlver nitrate reacts well with other oxides especially
copper and iron. Its effect can be very garish so try to be subtle in its
use!

Any other questions?

Steven Branfman

EDWIN GOULD on mon 4 may 98

I live in the Baltimore region and trying to obtain silver nitrate for
raku glazing (enhacement); the mail order source for crystal came to
over $100 because of a hazard fee including about $75 for the crystal
itself. Any ideas out there for a reasonable price and source??

Dennis Davis on tue 5 may 98

Edwin,

Have you checked with Clayworks Supplies Inc?

Tel (410) 542-1909

Also, Standard Ceramics sells Silver Nitrate. At least it is still listed
on the web site:

http://www.standardceramic.com/clay/

Tel: (412) 276-6333

Fax: (412) 276-7124

Dennis in Stafford, VA

EDWIN GOULD wrote:

> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I live in the Baltimore region and trying to obtain silver nitrate for
> raku glazing (enhacement); the mail order source for crystal came to
> over $100 because of a hazard fee including about $75 for the crystal
> itself. Any ideas out there for a reasonable price and source??

Andrew Lubow on tue 5 may 98

Try your local drug store.

-----Original Message-----
From: EDWIN GOULD
To: Multiple recipients of list CLAYART
Date: Monday, May 04, 1998 9:36 AM
Subject: silver nitrate


>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I live in the Baltimore region and trying to obtain silver nitrate for
>raku glazing (enhacement); the mail order source for crystal came to
>over $100 because of a hazard fee including about $75 for the crystal
>itself. Any ideas out there for a reasonable price and source??
>

Plaznclay on tue 5 may 98

U.S. Pigment sells silver nitrate. You can call them at 1-800-472-9500 or fax
them at
630 - 893-4763. The price listed for one pound of silver nitrate was $150.00
or $15.00 for 25 grams. Hope this helps.

Sincerely,


J. Dubats

Louis Katz on wed 6 may 98

Siver Nitrate might be able to be had from Photographic Suppliers. Ten years
ago I found some from a place called Photographers Formulary. If my memory
serves me right I was trying to price some stannous chloride and some gold
chloride at the time. If a supplier is local you could save by picking it up you

Louis

EDWIN GOULD wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I live in the Baltimore region and trying to obtain silver nitrate for
> raku glazing (enhacement); the mail order source for crystal came to
> over $100 because of a hazard fee including about $75 for the crystal
> itself. Any ideas out there for a reasonable price and source??

Peggy Heer on wed 6 may 98

Had a friend, many years ago, try to get some silver nitrate for her
raku.....same senario...she finally got it from the local drug store but it
was a hard sell to get the drugest to sell her some...she lived in a
smallish town so it was much easier for her to convince him that she was
actually using it for raku firing and on her pots. In a larger centre it
may be more difficult to obtain it from the drugest but may be worth a
try...much cheaper source.
As Always in Clay...thinking about it anyway. Peggy


>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I live in the Baltimore region and trying to obtain silver nitrate for
>raku glazing (enhacement); the mail order source for crystal came to
>over $100 because of a hazard fee including about $75 for the crystal
>itself. Any ideas out there for a reasonable price and source??

Peggy Heer / Heer Pottery E-Mail p4337@connect.ab.ca
52120 Range Road 223
Sherwood Park, AB. Canada T8C 1A7
Phone (403) 922-6270
http://www.ffa.ucalgary.ca/artists/pheer/

Fay & Ralph Loewenthal on wed 6 may 98

Another source of silver is the used photographic
developing solution. The big film processing labs usually
sell it to the firms who reclaim the silver. I am able beg
about a gallon every now and then without charge. Hope
this helps Ralph in PE SA

marie elaine on thu 7 may 98

Does anyone know of a cone 4-6 oxidation range metallic silver glaze
formula? I appreciate any relative suggestions, reference referrals,
personal tips, technical advise, directions, experiences etc. from which I
may adapt and develop to my specific interest.

SBRANFPOTS on thu 7 may 98

Here are a few aditional sources for sliver nitrate and other chemicals: Del
Amo Chemical Co 800/779 2436, Spectrum Chemical 800/772 8786, Tri-Ess Sciences
818/247 6910

Steven Branfman
The Potters Shop

Timothy Dean Malm on thu 7 may 98

Many years ago when I got to blow glass we used silver nitrate mixed with
an acid to make a fuming compound.I remember that if the nitrate touched
your skin,particularly if it was moist it would leave a surface burn,
black in color.Silver nitrate was costly even then.Thanks Tim Malm

kinoko@junction.net on thu 7 may 98

At 08:12 5/6/98 EDT, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Another source of silver is the used photographic
>developing solution. The big film processing labs usually
>sell it to the firms who reclaim the silver. I am able beg
>about a gallon every now and then without charge. Hope
>this helps Ralph in PE SA
>
Sounds like a very dangerous stew of chemicals. One gallon of exhausted
D-76 would hardly provide more than a few,(very few) grams of silver
nitrate. Adding the cost of gasoline and general wear-and-tear,the cost at
the local pharmacy would be minimal. Don.

Gavin Stairs on fri 8 may 98

At 12:46 PM 5/7/98 EDT, you wrote:
...
> Sounds like a very dangerous stew of chemicals. One gallon of exhausted
>D-76 would hardly provide more than a few,(very few) grams of silver
>nitrate. ...

Actually, the lion's share of the silver is in the fixer - sodium or
ammonium hyposulphate. The undeveloped nitrate is dissolved in this,
forming a complex silver thiosulphate or something like that. Aside from
the sulphur, this is not all that nasty. It is fairly dilute, though. And
variable, according to how exhausted the hypo was.

Gavin

Fay & Ralph Loewenthal on fri 8 may 98

>Sounds like a very dangerous stew of chemicals. One gallon of exhausted
>D-76 would hardly provide more than a few,(very few) grams of silver
>nitrate. Adding the cost of gasoline and general wear-and-tear,the cost at
>the local pharmacy would be minimal. Don.
I agree Don about the dangerous stew, but not about the
cost. Here in South Africa it costs me R100, for 25 grams.
When you take into consideration that we earn in rands
what you earn in dollars, it is lot cheaper to drive to the
local film processing lab and use maybe 1 litre of petrol
costing R2.15. One has to also mix the Silver Nitrate with
distilled water, another cost, as the local water has chlorine
in it. I appologise for not putting in safety warnings in my
original post. Please use gloves, safety goggles or face
shield and a mask when working with any of these liquids,
they are all dangerous. Keep well potting and keep potting
well Ralph in PE SA

Gavin Stairs on sat 9 may 98

At 08:10 AM 5/8/98 EDT, I wrote:
....
>ammonium hyposulphate. The undeveloped nitrate is dissolved in this,

Correction: Should have been:
>ammonium hyposulphate. The undeveloped silver iodide is dissolved in this,
....

It is the silver halides which are light sensitive in film. Incidentally,
silver halides are the only halides insoluble in water. The hotter the
water, the lesser the solubility. This fact is used in chemical analysis
to separate out the silver from everything else. A curious factoid.


Gavin Stairs
Toronto, Canada

Myrrhia Rae Resneck-Sannes on sat 9 may 98

I have seen results that were metallic silver from using 10-15% red iron
oxide in a glossy clear base. It was when I was working for a production
potter testing glazes and I was unable to use the recipe for myself
though. I have tried a couple times to achieve it myself to no avail.
Something to experiment with though. Any body else seen this?
Myrrhia
Samyrrhi@cats.ucsc.edu

L Skeen on wed 22 mar 00

A friend o' mine is looking for silver nitrate to use in a glaze (NO it
will not be a food glaze). Anybody know where to get it?

Tks

L

J. Carl Meigs on thu 23 mar 00

Hi, Lisa
I get my silver nitrate from US Pigment. Their order numberis (800) 472-9500.
e-mail: USPIGMENT@Megsinet.Net
They are located in Bloomingdale, IL and have been prompt with orders
to Connecticut.
Carl Meigs
Brooklyn, CT



At 01:43 PM 3/22/00 EST, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>A friend o' mine is looking for silver nitrate to use in a glaze (NO it
>will not be a food glaze). Anybody know where to get it?
>
>Tks
>
>L
>
>

Curt Lacross on thu 23 mar 00

Hello
you can get silver nitrate from your local university chemistry store.I
often go to the chemistry store sometimes they have items which I have
recieved for free check it out.

Cantello Studios on thu 23 mar 00

Inquire at a photo lab. Be very careful with this stuff if you spill it on
your skin it will turn you black forever Chris

-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU]On Behalf
Of L Skeen
Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2000 10:44 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Subject: Silver Nitrate


----------------------------Original message----------------------------
A friend o' mine is looking for silver nitrate to use in a glaze (NO it
will not be a food glaze). Anybody know where to get it?

Tks

L

Diane Karmiol on thu 23 mar 00

If you're near Miami, Fl. I know that Miami Clay Company has Silver Nitrate.
They have a web site www.MiamiClay.Com
Diane in Miami

Richard Jeffery on thu 23 mar 00

help us here...

which continent are we talking about?

Richard

Bournemouth UK
(and yes, I can help if it's in UK)

-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU]On Behalf
Of L Skeen
Sent: 22 March 2000 18:44
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Subject: Silver Nitrate


----------------------------Original message----------------------------
A friend o' mine is looking for silver nitrate to use in a glaze (NO it
will not be a food glaze). Anybody know where to get it?

Tks

L

Antoinette Badenhorst on thu 23 mar 00

I previously found it in a pharmacy in South Africa. It might differ in the
US,but a pharmacist might be able to order it for you. Take care it stain
hands!
Antoinette.

Richard Jeffery on fri 24 mar 00

not quite forever - it goes in about 10 days...

-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU]On Behalf
Of Cantello Studios
Sent: 23 March 2000 23:13
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Subject: Re: Silver Nitrate


----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Inquire at a photo lab. Be very careful with this stuff if you spill it on
your skin it will turn you black forever Chris

-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU]On Behalf
Of L Skeen
Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2000 10:44 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Subject: Silver Nitrate


----------------------------Original message----------------------------
A friend o' mine is looking for silver nitrate to use in a glaze (NO it
will not be a food glaze). Anybody know where to get it?

Tks

L

Karen Shapiro on fri 24 mar 00

Hiya,

I use a lot of silver nitrate and find that some
ceramic supply places have it, some don't. Ask
around; if you can't find it, I get it at Creative
Ceramics in Santa Rosa CA tele: 707 545-6528. She
will ship UPS with a credit card.

Karen in Gualala

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Becky Burton on fri 24 mar 00

You can get silver nitrate online with no hassles from
www.clayartcenter.com. I have ordered a couple of things from them this
last month and have found them to be quite reasonable and even very helpful.
Besides, their website is amazing. I actually spoke with them on the phone
and was informed that they have even more chemicals than is actually on the
web site, including gold nitrate, silver nitrates, bismuth, stannous
chloride and all kinds of sulfates.

Hope this helps.
Becky

P.S. I am not associated with the web site, nor do I gain anything
finanacially from them. I'm just a new fan.


On Wed, 22 Mar 2000 13:43:55 EST, Ceramic Arts Discussion List wrote:

> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> A friend o' mine is looking for silver nitrate to use in a glaze (NO it
> will not be a food glaze). Anybody know where to get it?
>
> Tks
>
> L





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Jan McQueary on fri 24 nov 00

I have an old jar of silver nitrate from which the liquid has evaporated
leaving only crystals. I'm sure this has happened to some of you before
- do I just add water to rehydrate it - or something else?

Thanks for your help,

Jan McQueary




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Steven Branfman on mon 27 nov 00

Jean wrote: <evaporated

leaving only crystals. I'm sure this has happened to some of you before

- do I just add water to rehydrate it - or something else?>>

While this is possible (I suppose?) it is more likely that you have always
had the silver sitrate in crystal form as that is how it is sold! Yes, you
add a few crystals to water to make a wash, or a certain percentage to a
glaze. When adding to a glaze I suggest diluting the crystals in hot water
and then adding the solution to your glaze AFTER screening.

Steven Branfman