[Jewelry making - Article 00707] - Re: [Orchid] Fusing 24K gold onto silver

[T Lee]

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>         These so-called micro alloys have the look of 24K, but once
>     heat treated correctly end up with a hardness and durability more
>     like 18K.  I don't remember for sure the alloying agen, though I
>     seem to remember titanium as the alloy. Anyone know?  I'm pretty
>     sure it isn't  zinc, but who knows. Whatever it is, just a trace is
>     apparently enough to greatly alter the alloy's properties without
>     bringing the purity down too low to legally mark 24K. 

    Hi Peter! I use a product called PureGold that is .9985 pure and it
    is alloyed with the rare earth element-Gadolinium. It's mineral 64 on
    the element charts and named for Gadolin, a Finnish chemist. The rare
    earth metal is obtained from the mineral gadolinite. 

    I use it in wire form to weave with but have also cast it for bezel
    caps. Its seems easy enough to cast but should be gated properly and
    not allowed to overheat in the crucible.  The heat treating is a
    simple heat soak for 3 hours at 482F.  (I used to do it in my home
    oven!!) 

    My source for this material is John Bernardin of PureGold at
    510-262-9560. 

    T Lee T Lee Fine Designer Jewelry 18 University Ave NE Minneapolis, MN 

    55413 Snow is gone....so sad, time to wax the board and put it away...


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