q: why some metals turn red

[donkarlos]

Somebody knows this I'm sure. I found a cheapo chain or bracelet and threw it in some water with lemon juice to clean it up. It turned very red as pictured. I've also had this happen to some parts of pocket knives. Is this the copper?

 

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[dewcon4414]

About anything Copper or mixed with copper may turn red. Even copper in old gold jewelry may bleed thru.

Dew

 

[donkarlos]

Interesting -thanks.
This ring I found did something similar but has hints of gold. I imagine it was gold plated. Not magnetic but copper colored after the citrus bath. Could it be gold?

 

[wvwildman]

thank i would find a better way to clean my finds if i was you

 

[donkarlos]

Yeah, I'll just tumble everything from now on regardless..

 

[lookindown]

Ive found dimes that were red.

 

[Sir Gala Clad]

Doncarlos: The color of red on a retrieved object can come from many sources:
I often see it on 10 cent and quarter clad coins in wet sand at the beach, as a result of bleed through of the inner copper layer.
I sometimes see it on nickels, retrieved from wet sand - which was most likely stained by rut from the rust from nearby ferrous items.
Also, retrieved object(s) will pick up the color of heavily mineralized soils such as red clay.
The reddish color is especially noticeable when you are cleaning with anything acidic such as vinegar or lemon juice and can be easily transferred to all objects which are being cleaned

 

[donkarlos]

Thanks all - yes I've had the occasional red coin and yep, I've turned a pile of clad pinkish from a quick clean acid bath. I do look for silvers and such so I don't ruin anything of value.
I appreciate the input. Tumble on and happy hunting.