[Jewelry making - Article 00148] - Re: [Orchid] Finishing no enamelled surfaces

[Marilyn M. Smith]

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    If I understand you right, it is the unenameled metal surface that
    is the problem. I have not worked with 18 K gold but I do work with
    silver. The surface that you describe sounds as if it is reticulated.
    The process of depletion gilding is the first step when doing
    reticulation on purpose. This makes a pure silver coat that covers
    the sterling alloy. When the proper amount of heat is applied, the
    interior (sterling) will melt but the skin of pure silver does not.
    When the flame is removed, the "skin" wrinkles as the sterling
    solidifies. It's possible to somewhat control the amount of wrinkling
    and where it is with experience. I suspect that the temperature that
    you are fusing the enamels is a bit high for the metal or the amount
    of metal. Does this happen with thick gages as well as thin? 
    Marilyn Smith

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