Alloys used for mokume gane

[Haon]

I've recently stumbled upon a set of pictures of a koshirae, from which I wanted to replicate the colouring and as far as possible the style of hada these portrait, for jewelry. Now, I've tried my best of puck using normal shibuichi (75% copper, 25% silver) and shakudo (in my case 4,5% gold and 95,5% copper). After trying normal blackening with liver of sulfur, there was visible difference between the two alloys, but far far subtle, almost invisible if you didn't know it was there and didn't have the correct light. Now, could it be that either the amount of silver or the amount of gold was too low or too high? And what would you recommend to achieve something comparable to the picture? It doesn't have to be as striking as the example, but the difference ein colour should be clear.

 

Of course, it could be that the reason was the non traditional patinating, but unfortunately I don't have the necessary ingredients, and haven't found a store in my proximity which sells them.

 

Best regards,

 

Haon

[1kinko]

5g rokusho

5g copper sulfate

1.8L distilled H2O (near boiling, 15 min - 8 hours)

is the standard formula for patinating copper, shibuichi, shakudo, or kurumido. Some add alum. Some adjust pH up with bicarbonate or down with weak acid (sometimes umeboshi juice).