Having struggled to fuse jump rings for my link-in-link chain earlier in the year, I finally turned to Argentium Silver with much improved results.
One thing leads to another, so remembering its claims to be hypoallergenic my next mission was to persuade a family member to try some ear studs. This was no easy task, as she once had a severe reaction to normal sterling, with redness and swelling so severe that she routinely wears wooden earrings.
I took every care to keep my materials separate, using Argentium solder and pickling in a fresh solution. The result was no reaction at all even after being worn for a week
I have also been very impressed by its beautiful colour and tarnish resistance. After several weeks of continuous wearing, my recently made bracelet still looked pristine and straight out of the tumbler.
Availability:
The principle supplier in UK is Cookson, but availability is quite patchy and I have on several occasions been delayed by out of stock items being put on back order.
There is also a need, unfulfilled at present, for tube, a chain selection and findings.
Some findings and chain can be found on Etsy and earring posts and scrolls at Allied Gold.
Working Properties:
The solders available are extra hard(if you dare), medium and easy wire and easy paste. There is also a dedicated yellow fluid for flux, but it behaves no better than Auroflux, so is probably unnecessary.
Soldering is not difficult, because being less conductive than normal sterling, the flame can be quickly brought to the joint. However, the solders move a little sluggishly, so the heat is best applied a few seconds longer to make sure it has all run.
When heated to red the metal becomes very fragile, so it will break up under pressure from strongly tensioned clamps, or any attempt to move it, or being quenched. It also needs to be well supported on a flat surface.
Despite a short learning curve and current uncertainty of supplies, I think that anyone making silver pieces professionally, would steal a march on the competition by using Argentium.
Further reading:
https://www.ganoksin.com/article/arg...-road-testing/ Dennis
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