Etching Silver Leaf

[gildergrl]

Hello,

 

I am an artist and I use silver leaf in the course of my work. The leaf is approx .2 microns thick and I apply it to glass. Previously I have used a combination of Cupric Nitrate and Ammonium Chloride to etch the leaf in order to get a variety of desireable effects - anywhere from a light grey to deep black etch. I have also used Barium to acheive a beautiful red/brown effect. However, I am now living in a country where it is proving difficult to source these materials. Are there any other substances that i could use that are not too toxic and might cause a similar reaction in the silver leaf ?

Thank-you