[Jewelry making - Article 00309] - Re: [Orchid] Bronze and patina

[Karen Goeller]

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    William, 

>         Hello Dear all, Please excuse me for asking questions about
>     things I unfortunately know very little about. 

    That's how we all learn -- doesn't much pay to ask questions about
    things that you already know lots about ;-) 

>         Could someone please explain a couple of essentials to me about
>     casting bronze? This subject is not covered (or only very slighlty)
>     in any of the books I have. 

    Try looking for books on sculpture rather than jewelry.  Since
    bronze casting (sand, lost wax, etc.) has a long and healthy heritage
    in the sculptural arts, you will probably find much more written
    about it there. 

>        Is it feasible without great trouble to solder bronze to
>     Sterling silver (using a Little Torch)? Which sort of solder should
>     be used? And, finally, could someone recommend a manufacturer of
>     bronze to me? 

    Absolutely possible, and I find it quite easy.  Use a regular torch,
    clean and flux well, and solder as you normally would.  I use silver
    solder when soldering either bronze or copper to silver, because it
    seems to be easier to "hide" and clean up. 

    As to source, I've gotten all my bronze sheet products from T.B.
    Hagstoz in Philadelphia.  I honestly don't know whether they also
    supply it in grain or scrap for sculptural casting, but if they don't
    I'm sure they would be happy to point you in the right direction. 
    They can be reached at 800-922-1006. 

>         According to me - but I might be wrong - it was not liver of
>     sulphur, as I do not see how it is possible to get a shiny blue
>     with liver 

    If you play around with it, you can get a gorgeous iridescent blue
    (as well as purple, rose, etc.) on silver with liver.  Try it with
    the liver relatively cold, and do repeated dips and rinses until you
    get the color just right.  You'll be startled how many colors you can
    go through this way before you start getting the characteristic
    brown/blacks we associate with antiquing with liver.  I have also
    heard, but not tried myself, that adding a little ammonia to your
    liver solution will produce more iridescence as you do this -- if you
    try it, make sure you do it cold, as you do NOT want to be breathing
    hot ammonia fumes. 

Good luck!
Karen Goeller
kgoeller AT nolimitations.com

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