# (Aesthetic) Question about metals. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 25, 2015, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aesthetic-question-about-metals/738582 "2015-11-25T22:27:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bakero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@Bakero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bakero)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2015, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aesthetic-question-about-metals/738582/1 "2015-11-25T22:27:57Z")
What is it that gives metals that smokey look? Is it the finish? [A](http://cdn66.picsart.com/184279985002201.jpg) [B](https://static.trinityroad.com/prod/500/3013199.jpg) Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2015, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aesthetic-question-about-metals/738582/2 "2015-11-25T22:49:39Z")
Yes, that is called “patina.” It is oxidation or sulpherization of the metal’s surface. It develops naturally over a long period of time, but it can be helped along with chemical treatment. ---
**Author:** ![Bakero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@Bakero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bakero)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2015, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aesthetic-question-about-metals/738582/3 "2015-11-25T23:50:55Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Yes, that is called “patina.” > It is oxidation or sulpherization of the metal’s surface. It develops naturally over a long period of time, but it can be helped along with chemical treatment. Alrighty, thank you very much! ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2015, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aesthetic-question-about-metals/738582/4 "2015-11-25T23:52:53Z")
Wham-bam-thank you-Ma’am. Welcome to SD, **Bakero**. ---
**Author:** ![Ornery\_Bob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/da6949/32.png) [@Ornery\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ornery_Bob)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2015, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aesthetic-question-about-metals/738582/5 "2015-11-26T15:30:55Z")
Both of your examples are chemical patinas applied to brass or bronze and anyone creating works in those metals will have a working knowledge of creating patinas. Back in the day, chemical patina formulas were jealously guarded secrets and even today it is not uncommon for artists and casting foundries to develop their own secret formulas, but the basic agents are well known. [Patina Formulas for Brass, Bronze, and Copper](http://www.sciencecompany.com/Patina-Formulas-for-Brass-Bronze-and-Copper.aspx) ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2015, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aesthetic-question-about-metals/738582/6 "2015-11-28T04:46:50Z")
A common description for metals that are treated to get that look is “antiqued.” ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2015, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aesthetic-question-about-metals/738582/7 "2015-11-28T13:58:35Z")
You say “pateena” and I say “pateyena”…