Just as an experiment, I dipped a piece of silver wire into a container of undiluted LOS patina gel. Because the wire was not perfectly clean, the results were spotty, but the wire did oxidize. Of course, it would have been better to do everything right, clean wire, diluted hot solution, but it did work. You would need to experiment on immersion times, and possibly, you might not bet the results you wanted.

JL member Gallivara had a tutorial using hard boiled eggs to patina silver.

There are ways to oxidize silver without using LOS. Most of them are considered hazardous to ship and an extra shipping charge is applied. Some cannot be shipped by air. Griffith Silver Black, Procraft Silver Oxidizer, Jax, all contain acid.

Otto Frei, a supplier of jewelry tools, etc. sells a product called Winox. It is a dry powder that can be shipped by air. The one drawback is that you must mix it with hydrochloric acid (also called muriactic acid), in order to use it. It can be used without heat. I have never tried it myself, but have read good things about it elsewhere.

John

I was going to suggest the hard boiled egg method too. Environmentally friendly and it's probably something you have in your fridge. So simple to just boil eggs, crack'em open and seal your piece in with the eggs in a plastic tupperware container.

Emi, I have used Novacan , ( It is a product that patinas the lead cames of stained glass work)I have used it on my brass bracelets with great results, However I have never used it on sterling.

I had used the eggs method, i did not satisfied with the outcome. By mean all the cold methods are hazardous. Hmm. I bought a gel patina from rio, not arrive yet, i shall try what you suggest John, dipping into non diluted solution and wait a little longer. I asked this because hot water seems to damage or turn some stones dull.
I remember eni interview with Iza, that Iza uses cold oxide bath (i dont know what she mean) to oxidize the piece.
Anyway tq guys for all your answers. And Janice i will google the Novacan.