[Jewelry making - Article 00128] - Re: [Orchid] Metals-Aluminum and???

[Michael Honeycutt]

========[ Invite a Friend - http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm  ]========

    Hi R.R., You've asked a good question here and I don't know if I
    have all the answers you need, but here goes. 

    To start off, I have done a bit of work in both copper and brass and
    have found that, while some people hate these matals turning them
    green, other folks say they don't mind a bit. I'm serious, the
    groups seem to be split about 50%-50%. Both metals age very nicely
    if properly taken care of. That'll be the domain of care that sits
    in the customer's realm. There are no guarantees there. Both metals
    can be colored or treated in a variety of ways that produce
    beautiful results. On the downside, I've run into a snobbish
    attitude in some folks that consider them to be base metals not
    worthy of being called jewelry. Go figure.... Anyway, about aluminum-
    This metal also produces an oxide. It is white and I have no idea
    what kind of allergic reactions someone may have with it. It may be
    able to be sealed in some fashion but, depending on the design and
    how much abuse/wear it will take, sealants have a way of wearing off
    eventually. Check the Orchid archives because there has been a great
    deal of conversation on differing metals. Jim Binnion and John
    Burgess have offered a great many good insights on the topic. I've
    learned a great deal from their posts. Interestingly, on a side
    note, I had a machinist friend once that said that aluminum has  an
    interesting talent. It will grow an oxide layer that will eventually
    get thick enough to stop contact between oxygen and the metal and
    stop growing. He said he's used it in a number of applications
    because of that very trait. It oxidizes till it can't oxidize any
    more and then it stops. One thing to think about with aluminum is
    that, when brought into contact with a different metal and exposed
    to good ol' human sweat, a galvanic reation takes place that can
    cause serious corrosion. It can be mixed with stainless steel
    without much problem though. They use it in this combination on
    sailboats quite a bit for this reason. 

    As far as gunmetal goes, I think it is a type of bronze and it too
    will oxidize. If I'm not mistaken it too goes green on the skin. I
    could be wrong on this one. 

    I've never worked with titanium. It might be the cat's meow. I just
    don't know You might entertain the idea of stainless steel as a
    medium though. It's tough stuff and, to my knowledge, fairly inert
    in contact with other metals. 

    Along the lines of allergic reactions, my wife can't wear  nickle or
    anything Rhodium plated. Both cause big problems for her. Good luck
    in your search for answers. Try a search of the archives for the
    metals you have questions about. Lot's of good information lives in
    the archives.   

Mike

____________________________________________________________________
T h e   O r c h i d   L i s t
Open Electronic Forum for Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Procedures
____________________________________________________________________
Orchid FAQ:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/faq.htm
Orchid Archives:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive
Orchid Galleries:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/gallery.htm
Invite a Friend:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm
____________________________________________________________________
Tips From The Jeweler's Bench - Article Archive
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/tip_sear.htm
The Jeweler's Selected Bibliography List
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/jewelry-books
Buy Orchid Jewelry:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/shop
____________________________________________________________________
-Unsubscribe:
-Email: orchid-request AT ganoksin.com Body=unsubscribe subject=blank
____________________________________________________________________