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Thread: Turn sterling silver to argentium

  1. #1
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    Default Turn sterling silver to argentium

    I have sterling silver .. how can i make a argentium? Is just add fine silver till reach 93,5%? Or have some other process? Thank you in advance guys!

  2. #2
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    Argentium relies upon germanium in the alloy. It's available, but I've never tried melting it & alloying it - given the anti-tarnish action is mostly down to the formation of germanium oxide I suspect it's something that'll require a vacuum furnace to alloy.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by ps_bond View Post
    Argentium relies upon germanium in the alloy. It's available, but I've never tried melting it & alloying it - given the anti-tarnish action is mostly down to the formation of germanium oxide I suspect it's something that'll require a vacuum furnace to alloy.
    THANK YOU SO MUCH!

    and about fine silver to sterling silver? is just add copper?

  4. #4
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    A basic sterling alloy is 92.5% fine silver, 7.5% copper - what exactly are you trying to do, given germanium is going to cause you problems?

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by ps_bond View Post
    A basic sterling alloy is 92.5% fine silver, 7.5% copper - what exactly are you trying to do, given germanium is going to cause you problems?
    bond.. i bought a spooon to melt.. and it is soo contamitaded... when i heat the silver to anneling .. it create like mini bubbles ok the metal.. so i was thinking in add a fine silver ..how can i purify to be just a sterling? have some way? or no chance ... need bring into fine silver then remake everything? if so i will sell everything and buy argentium ... who looks much better in finish.

  6. #6
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    Honestly? It depends how you value your time. I'd scrap it and buy known good sheet. Are you sure it's silver and not plated?

  7. #7
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    yes im sure.. one another question.. if i buy .. the Argentium silver grain... it can eb melted and rolling to make wire and sheets like sterling silver? i know is silly question but due the composition... im asking to make sure. yes it is silver.

  8. #8
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    Absolutely I do it all the time.

  9. #9
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    Jun 2020
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    Is the argentium really more white and beauty than sterling?
    Some tip to work with argentium China? That can prevent me to make a mistake? Thank you in advance!!

  10. #10
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    No, it's no more white than sterling. It's the tarnish resistance that's the key thing.
    Don't heat it to red heat unsupported; it tends to crack. It anneals at a lower temperature.
    https://www.riogrande.com/article?na...-Procedures-IS

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