Argentium Sterling® Casting details

January 2, 2006

I have had a few requests for more details on the methods I use to cast my jewelry. For me, it’s got to be cheap! I have been collecting lapidary and silversmith equipment for several years, most of it used. Some of the equipment I started with, has never been replaced simply because I have [...]

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Casting with Argentium Sterling®

December 10, 2005

I’ve cast several rings using Argentium Sterling®. I haven’t had much to say because there has never really been any problems or strange situations. Here are some of the things to remember when casting with Argentium Sterling®. Temperature: 1750-1800 deg F. is recommended for casting (casting by sight is not recommended). Unfortunately I don’t have [...]

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More flux information

December 2, 2005

I received an email from Peter Johns, the inventor of Argentium Sterling(tm) Silver. He told me that they have found that some fluxes leave a stain on the surface of the metal. He has found My-T-Flux(tm) from Rio Grande to be very good on Argentium Sterling(tm). My-T-Flux(tm) after washing in hot water and a quick [...]

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Argentium® Soldering problems…Results of flux testing

November 26, 2005

The reason for my soldering problems seems to be the flux I was using. After doing the test, I switched fluxes and have had no problems since. After doing some research on the web, I was able to find a source for the these F flux. Unfortunately, with shipping, it was way to expensive. I [...]

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Argentium® Heat Hardening Oven…On a Budget

August 21, 2005

I have been heat hardening my jewelry in the kitchen oven at the highest temperature setting. I usually set it for about an hour. Unfortunately the Argentium® comes out with a light brown tarnish. I believe the tarnish is caused by the smoke created from a dirty oven. Judie Raiford told me she had been [...]

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Argentium® Soldering Problems Update

August 15, 2005

Thanks goes to Judie Raiford and Trevor F. for their comments about not using steel wool when soldering. Trevor also mentioned that he preferred to use Thessco F flux when soldering Argentium Sterling® Silver. I believe Thessco is from Europe. I’m going to try some other fluxes that I can get locally and let you [...]

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Heat Hardened Argentium Sterling® Silver

August 12, 2005

I am amazed at how hard Argentium Sterling® Silver turns when it is heat hardened. Last week I made a beautiful turquoise ring. The ring was made so that it could be adjustable. After hardening, I realized the ring was no longer adjustable. Just another one of those things that needs to be kept in [...]

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Argentium® Soldering problems

August 7, 2005

I’ve been having some problems using the Argentium® solders. I tried just about everything I could think of. I made sure the surfaces matched well. I made sure my silver was clean and scrubbed it down with steel wool. I tried several types of flux. My easy and medium solders worked just fine. It’s taken [...]

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Argentium projects update

July 31, 2005

It’s been quite a while since I made the pendant and the cast ring. I am happy to say that each are wearing quite well. There has been no signs of tarnish on the ring or the pendant. We have noticed considerably few scratches on the ring and the scratches that are there are quite [...]

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Argentium Solder has Arrived!!!

July 31, 2005

I finally was able to get some Argentium solder! Now it’s time to get back to work. Can’t wait to give it a try. I got the following: Hard = 1355 FMedium = 1319 FEasy = 1253 F Note that the flow temperatures seem to be quite a bit lower than that of regular Sterling [...]

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