I made some earrings the other day from sterling silver and I tumbled just the posts (which I had made) for about 4 hours so that they would be sturdy enough. Then I attached them to the rest of the earrings and I oxidised them (i oxidise with the boiled egg method)  and the posts almost didnt oxidise! and they oxidised different than the rest of the earring. Does anyone know why this is?

thanks!
 

Is it possible that what you used in the tumbler put a coating in the pieces? What was in the tumbler? Billie

 I only put some steel shot, water, a drop of soap and the posts. Nothing else!

Soap as in shavings of Ivory bar soap or liquid dish detergent like Dawn? The Ivory bar soap will put a coating on your pieces.

I've never patinaed ear wires/post. I always make sure their clear of all patinas. The patina will come off with wear. Is this something new or do I live under a rock? Billie

 oh gee, I was planning on using ivory bar shavings. I can't find any blue dawn liquid detergent where I am...is there any other dish detergent that works without leaving a coating?

 Hello,

you can use a bit soft soap or curd soap. Both don't include any detergents.

em 

I had forgotten about this!

I use a drop of liquid hand soap. The reason i oxidised the posts, was because they were handmade and were part of the design. Now what I do is that I will just oxidise it all together, then tumble the post for 2 hours, then attach it to the rest of the earring for tumbling for 30 mins. 

sweetwatermagpie, Doesn't have to be blue or green Dawn. We use both in school. Plus Ivory soap and cleaning solutions that are specific for tumblers.

Cristi, Doesn't "hand soap" have lotion or skin softeners in it? Billie

When you tumble a piece your are actually hitting it with a thousand tiny hammers.  So these little hammers pound down your surface.. all the texture and microscopic scratches in the metal that you cant really see with the naked eye... this gives you that shiny look.   So when you patina these attached to something that has a little more texture in its surface you will get different results.  This is not always a problem when using a very strong patina like liver of sulfur, but you will notice it does take longer for the tumbled to accept the patina.... one thing you could do is use a brass brush.. this will create grooves and scratches that are more willing to accept the patina without causing scratches that can be seen.  Hopefully this was helpful.