[Jewelry making - Article 00930] - Re: [Orchid] Cloisonne Enameling on Cast Silver

[Pat Topp]

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>      Sterling and similar alloys and it is quite beyond my
>     understanding why professionally-cast Sterling is not more widely
>     enamelled. 

    Hello: Because if you want clear beautiful colors and a finished
    enamel that will last for hundreds of years you use fine silver. 
    Enamel can change colors after a couple of firings due to "ANY"
    minute amount of contamination such as the alloys used in sterling. 
    I have used both and believe me, fine is the only way to go.  Also
    it should be minimum of 18 ga.  The only problem arises if there is
    surface areas of metal such as champleve' which will dull a bit with
    wear.   Yes, you can fire/pickle/fire/pickle sterling until the
    surface has no copper or zinc left, but even then you are walking a
    treacherous path with the stability of colors and transparences. 
    Best to do the cloisonne' on fine and bezel set it if you want the
    rest of the design done with a sterling metal surface. I have created
    over 2000 cloisonne' pieces in 30 years, trust me.  Pat DIACCA Topp

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