Southwestern Style Sterling Silver Necklace

Step 8 Cleaning up the chain

We need to clean up the chain. First, you'll want to get a small file (there are very fine jeweler's files) and take off any bits that would feel uncomfortable next to your skin--any remnants of the soldering process. The process of soldering also leaves lots of oxidization and other nasty stains, so we will drop the chain in warm "pickle" (a mild acid), pluck it out, and scrub with baking soda to neutralize remaining pickle. Pickle is best heated, and for warming pickle for home use, I found a little teeny tiny hotpot that works pretty well. Once you have done that, the finish should look pretty good, if a bit dull.