Originally Posted by
Goldsmith
I have never had any problems using 18ct white gold sheet and wires, any collapsing while soldering would probably be from bad casting alloys, standard 18ct soft white gold has a very high melting point of circa 1300centigrade, there are 3 solders for 18ct white, they are EWG (easy) which melts at approx 700 centigrade. MWG (medium) which melts at approx 710 centigrade, and HWG (hard) which melts at approx 860 centigrade. As you will notice all melt well below the 18ct SW gold's melting point, so don't be afraid of soldering! One thing is that you will need a decent torch, the oxy/propane torches are ideal. Finally when finished the polished item will have a stainless steel colour finish, so most white gold jewellery needs to be rhodium plated when finished, which gives the nice white colour that customers like.
Emma, may I ask what size diamonds you intend using?
James
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