[Jewelry making - Article 00021] - Re: [Orchid] Nickel Silver

[Debra Hoffmaster]

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RR - I hope this helps

>      As I understand it (please correct me if I'm wrong) - it is a bit
>     harder than Sterling Silver, does not polish up as bright and
>     solders okay with silver solders 

    Yes, this is true.  Nickel alloys are more grey than sterling but
    they polish up to a bright silver color that does not tarnish. 
    Solder lines, if messy, will show. 

>       Does it (Nickel Silver) tarnish quickly like brass? What does
>     tarnished nickel silver look like? 

    No, nickel alloys don't tarnish but stay as polished. 

>       If worn against the skin does it mark the skin? (I am aware that
>     some people have nickel allergies - this is  not what I'm talking
>     about) 

    I don't know about marking the skin.  I would think not, unless
    there is an allergy. 

>      Can it be tumble polished? 

    When I tumble nickel (in steel shot), it comes out all grey and
    yucky.  So, no. 

>      Can it be chemically oxidised like silver can be? 

    Not with liver of sulfur.  However, Rio has a Midas Nickel oxidizer
    that they advertise as giving a black finish in recessed areas. 


>      What care instructions should be given for it? 

    Really Nickel is pretty durable and can be polished with a polishing
    cloth. 

    Please note that it will grey up with regular pickling.  To get the
    gunk off, pickle in about 1 C peroxide with several Tablespoons of
    Sparex-type liquid pickle. 

Hope this helps -
Debby

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