[Jewelry making - Article 00532] - Re: [Orchid] Platinum sizing

[David L. Huffman]

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Hi All;

    This is surely Jurgen's territory, but I've had quite a bit of
    experience with platinum so I'll contribute.  For sizing platinum
    rings, I've completely abandoned the old platinum solders in favor of
    the newer platinum plumb solders, which melt at 1350, 1450, and 1550
    Celsius (I believe those are the temperatures).  This would be low
    enough for the new HT platinum's alloys, but you'd probably be wise
    to use the lowest temperature solder, live with the slight gray line,
    and get in and out quickly since you'll still be somewhat close to
    the melting temperature of the parent metal.  You can identify the
    platinum cobalt allows, which are favored for delicate castings since
    they have a lower melting temperature and finish easier, because they
    are slightly magnetic.  Lay the article on the table and touch a
    strong magnet to it and it will stick slightly, and it the article
    is light, will partially pick it up off the table.  If you are
    constructing with platinum, you may still need the old solders, since
    they flow more easily than the plumb solders and leave nice bright
    fillets in the seams, but use strategies in construction that
    maximize contact and limit shear on these joints.  If you are
    constructing with platinum, the problem of melting temperature is
    moot, since you'll be using your own platinum which I would assume
    you would buy as a known quantity, unless you simply tell the
    supplier "surprise me".  As for palladium, which you won't encounter
    very often, 

    the color is a give away for the discerning eye, and if it's rhodium
    plated, that should raise your suspicions anyway.  I'll be watching
    to learn something from this thread. 

David L. Huffman


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