[Jewelry making - Article 00116] - [Orchid] Goldsmithing Research Question from a Fiction Writer

[James Miller]

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Hi Scott,

    The question you ask about old techniques in goldsmithing with
    regard to your story line is a difficult one, because as an
    experienced goldsmith with 44 years at the bench, I can tell you I
    am still using work techniques that were being used 60 years ago,
    the only things that would have changed over the years would be the
    gold and solder alloys. One of the recent changes has been the
    banning of the use of cadmium in certain solders and alloys as
    cadmium has some health risks, although some of us goldsmiths found
    that cadmium solders were much better running than cadmium free
    solders especially in the 18ct hard grade. I was taught to solder my
    18ct objects entirely by 18ct Hard solder, which if you don't know
    runs at a very high temperature, close to the melting point of the
    18ct gold, and when polished, the soldered joints are very close to
    the colour of 18ct yellow gold and are not visible. Lower melting
    point solders tend to show as paler gold when the surface ages. So
    for your information a test for cadmium on English gold would tell
    you that the metal was of a recent manufacture. 

    I hope this is of assistance to you, please contact me again if you
    require further assistance. 

    You might be interested in seeing my 6" model of the mask of
    Tutankhamun on the orchid gallery as it seems to fit your story
    line. 

Regards and good luck
James Miller
JMDesignFIPG AT aol.com

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