| I
will never forget when I was first introduced to the anodization of the reactive
metals titanium and niobium. It was in a workshop many years ago, and the brilliant
colors possible with these processes amazed me. As a painter and colorist, I¹d
had to restrict myself to the muted palette of mixed metals, so the possibility
of introducing elements of vibrant color in textured and formed metals that would
be both instant and permanent marked a pivotal change for me as an artist.
Although this brooch, Guacamaya,
is an assemblage of multiple elements, we will be discussing the anodizing and
assembly of the parrot, which is fabricated of 18K gold, onyx, and anodized niobium.
The rest of the brooch is created of constructed, formed, and patinated sterling
and copper sheet. The parrot is connected to the brooch with small brass watch
screws.
During recent years, there
has been a steady growth in the use of the reactive metals in jewelry and art.
Within this group of metallic elements, the most common are titanium and niobium,
the latter being both more ductile and more colorful. Niobium can be cut, formed,
and finished with standard hand and power equipment. The high colorations can
then be achieved through a simple anodizing process.
Anodizing most closely resembles
standard electroplating. When a reactive metal is suspended in a electrolytic
bath as an anode (+), and current is passed through the bath, oxygen is produced
at the anode surface. This oxygen reacts with the metal to form a thin oxide film
that thickens with increased voltage. The colors produced will vary with the thickness
of the oxide layer. As there are no pigments or dyes involved, the color produced
by these metals are known as interference colors, similar in appearance to those
in an oil slick.
Please note that there is
a danger of electrical shock in the anodizing process. The procedures described
in this article require the use of potentially dangerous high voltage power supplies.
Follow strict safety procedures for handling high voltage electrical equipment.
Thanks to Bill Seeley of
Reactive Metals for general anodizing information.
Editor's note: Enid Kaplan
is profiled on page 18 of the September 1999 LJ; see “Medicine
Artist.”
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Enid Kaplan is a studio jeweler, mixed-media sculptor,
teacher, writer, and lecturer. When she is not travelling with her husband and
five-year-old son, she resides in Montreal and New York City, where she maintains
her studios. |
