[Jewelry making - Article 01175] - Re: [Orchid] 14K bleeding onto silver

[Noel]

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    I expected someone else to say this, so I didn't answer the first
    day... 

    It has been my experience that gold and silver "like" to mix
    together, and will tend to alloy at the point where they contact each
    other. This produces theit eutectic alloy-- the mixture with the
    lowest possible melting point-- which then runs all over. This not
    only leaves the colors different from what you had in mind, but the
    areas with the mix will melt very easily and ruin your creation. 

    I think the solution is to use as little heat as you can to make the
    join, and the suggestion of anti-flux such as wite-out can't hurt
    either. But my personal advice is also to stop using 14k and go to
    higher karat gold such as 18. Not only do you get a stronger
    contrast with silver, but its higher melting point is a little more
    forgiving. The difference in cost is, IMO, made up for by 

    1) fewer ruined pieces, 

    2) better contrast, i.e., better-looking pieces, and 

    3) greater perceived value by the customer, i.e., acceptance of a
    higher price. 

    If your experience is like mine, the 18k gives you the experience
    (with success) working with the combo, and, after a while, you'll do
    better with 14k if you want to go back to it. 

--Noel

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