[Jewelry making - Article 00388] - Re: [Orchid] Argentium Blog

[Leah]

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Thanks Zen and Trevor for the links!

    I had a chance to play with my new Argentium silver wire over the
    weekend, and I love it. I made a simple ring out of 16g wire to try
    soldering, and IMO it was easier than with sterling. Not worrying
    about firescale was nice, and there's something satisfying about a
    piece looking clean right when it's been soldered, even before going
    into the pickle. 

    Then I made some headpins by melting balls at the ends of wire, and
    that also worked really well for me. It behaves more like fine
    silver than sterling when melting balls, no wrinkles or firescale at
    all. And the lower melting point means that I can use my tiny little
    butane torch for some things that it wouldn't be quite hot enough
    for use with sterling. 

    Then I did a little wirework, and it definitely didn't work harden
    as quickly as sterling. I do a lot of sculpting wire with my
    fingers, so not work hardening is a big plus for me. I haven't tried
    the precipitation hardening yet, but I read about Trevor's results
    and I don't see any reason that it wouldn't work as well for me too. 

    Now - does anyone know where you can get thinner than 24g wire in
    Argentium? For weaving as well as making head pins to use with tiny
    gemstone beads, 26-28g would be really useful to me, if it exists
    somewhere. 

Leah
www.michondesign.com
leah AT michondesign.com

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