Sodium thiosulfate appears as white, translucent crystals. It is soluble in water, insoluble in alcohol, absorbed in moist air. Commonly used in photography as a fixing agent (hypo) to dissolve unchanged silver salts from exposed negatives. Also as chlorine remover (dechlor) in bleaching and aquarium and pond water treatment. Useful in creating patina solutions for coloring copper. Also used to remove betadine (iodine) from carpets and some fabrics.

For the best guide to metal patination to be published in over 40 years please see: Patina 300 Coloration Effects for Jewelers/Metalsmiths