Arsenic or realgar for Keris etching?

David · 17th May 2007, 08:47 PM

Hi Tatyana. I use lab grade arsenic trioxide, but i know that it isn't an easy substance to come by. The nice thing about it though is that it is always the same so you can get more controlled results. I have never used realgar, but i have heard from members here who have that you want the pink stuff. But the white stuff might work just as well.

I don't know anything at all about "sterling arsenic" so you might want to stay away from it.

Marcokeris · 18th May 2007, 12:55 PM

Is starling arsenic :metallic arsenic?

Tatyana Dianova · 19th May 2007, 12:20 PM

It seems to be a clean arsenic.

David · 19th May 2007, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tatyana Dianova

It seems to be a clean arsenic.

I don't understand what you mean by "clean".

Marcokeris · 19th May 2007, 05:13 PM

Tatyana is this mineral heavy or light? Hard or soft?
If it is heavy and hard, pay attention don't put fire near the mineral: his vapour is dangerous (poison: smell like garlic)

Tatyana Dianova · 19th May 2007, 05:41 PM

I don't have bought any of these minerals yet, so I can't tell. I just have seen some so called "gediegen arsen", what translates like "sterling arsenic" on German eBay. On pictures it lookes like dark grey mineral, maybe similar to earth. Sometimes it have inclusions of silver in it. It is a local mineral from Ore Mountains in Saxony. Alas, I haven't saved any pictures, and at the moment there is none of it offered...

Boedhi Adhitya · 19th May 2007, 06:21 PM

Tatyana, if you are using realgar, always use the red or deep oranges with some yellow ones. The less the yellow, the better. the deeper the red and orange, the better. Purple is the best, but it's hard to find. The good one should shows crystalline structure, and easy to pulverize using the pestle and mortar. As Marcokeris already warn, it would quickly transfered to a poisonous arsenic gas if you burn it. Never try the white or gray, or pure yellow. Pulverize and mix it with the lime juice, and let it rest for at least a night before use. During use, the the solution's color may change to a brownish color. The older the solution, the deeper the color. Do not throw away the old solution. It's a 'babon warangan', or 'mother solution'. If you use the brushing technique, you should mix the babon with some new one. Immersion technique use a deep brown, almost black solution. Finding the right solution is part of the art. Keep away the solution from oil, copper alloy and soap. Just put some rusty nail and let it rest for a night to make an old solution from the new one, quickly.

Happy marangi, and beware of it's health hazard.

cannext · 5th June 2007, 10:45 PM

"gediegen arsen" is german for metalic arsenic ,gediegen means pure some metals are found this way for instance gold silver or copper.
Hope this helps ,enjoy F.

ganjawulung · 10th August 2009, 07:57 AM

Did you use the "sterling arsenic" to stain your Bali blade?

GANJAWULUNG

Tatyana Dianova · 10th August 2009, 08:33 AM

I still have the "sterling arsenic" hidden in the dark corner, but I haven't tried it yet. Really I do not have a good working place to use it safely... The Bali blade was stained on Bali: Mr. Michael Wahle from Bali-Artshop in Germany has brought it on Bali and gave to (-I believe-) Mr. Ketut Karang for staining and sheath making...

5th June 2007, 10:45 PM	#8
cannext Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2	"gediegen arsen" "gediegen arsen" is german for metalic arsenic ,gediegen means pure some metals are found this way for instance gold silver or copper. Hope this helps ,enjoy F.

17th May 2007, 08:47 PM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Hi Tatyana. I use lab grade arsenic trioxide, but i know that it isn't an easy substance to come by. The nice thing about it though is that it is always the same so you can get more controlled results. I have never used realgar, but i have heard from members here who have that you want the pink stuff. But the white stuff might work just as well. I don't know anything at all about "sterling arsenic" so you might want to stay away from it.

18th May 2007, 12:55 PM	#2
Marcokeris Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Italy Posts: 928	Is starling arsenic :metallic arsenic?

19th May 2007, 12:20 PM	#3
Tatyana Dianova Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 734	It seems to be a clean arsenic.

19th May 2007, 05:13 PM	#5
Marcokeris Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Italy Posts: 928	Tatyana is this mineral heavy or light? Hard or soft? If it is heavy and hard, pay attention don't put fire near the mineral: his vapour is dangerous (poison: smell like garlic)

19th May 2007, 05:41 PM	#6
Tatyana Dianova Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 734	I don't have bought any of these minerals yet, so I can't tell. I just have seen some so called "gediegen arsen", what translates like "sterling arsenic" on German eBay. On pictures it lookes like dark grey mineral, maybe similar to earth. Sometimes it have inclusions of silver in it. It is a local mineral from Ore Mountains in Saxony. Alas, I haven't saved any pictures, and at the moment there is none of it offered...

19th May 2007, 06:21 PM	#7
Boedhi Adhitya Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 103	Tatyana, if you are using realgar, always use the red or deep oranges with some yellow ones. The less the yellow, the better. the deeper the red and orange, the better. Purple is the best, but it's hard to find. The good one should shows crystalline structure, and easy to pulverize using the pestle and mortar. As Marcokeris already warn, it would quickly transfered to a poisonous arsenic gas if you burn it. Never try the white or gray, or pure yellow. Pulverize and mix it with the lime juice, and let it rest for at least a night before use. During use, the the solution's color may change to a brownish color. The older the solution, the deeper the color. Do not throw away the old solution. It's a 'babon warangan', or 'mother solution'. If you use the brushing technique, you should mix the babon with some new one. Immersion technique use a deep brown, almost black solution. Finding the right solution is part of the art. Keep away the solution from oil, copper alloy and soap. Just put some rusty nail and let it rest for a night to make an old solution from the new one, quickly. Happy marangi, and beware of it's health hazard.

10th August 2009, 07:57 AM	#9
ganjawulung Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: J a k a r t a Posts: 991	Did you use the "sterling arsenic" to stain your Bali blade? GANJAWULUNG

10th August 2009, 08:33 AM	#10
Tatyana Dianova Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 734	I still have the "sterling arsenic" hidden in the dark corner, but I haven't tried it yet. Really I do not have a good working place to use it safely... The Bali blade was stained on Bali: Mr. Michael Wahle from Bali-Artshop in Germany has brought it on Bali and gave to (-I believe-) Mr. Ketut Karang for staining and sheath making...