[Jewelry making - Article 00269] - Re: [Orchid] A different Argentium problem

[Cynthia Eid]

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>     A different Argentium problem The suggestion that under certain
>     circumstances Argentium silver might be more prone to breakage
>     brings to mind the consideration of how Argentium might hold up in
>     heavy wear as a bracelet. Silver bracelets are very prone to
>     breakage because people inevitably squeeze them onto their wrists
>     thus subjecting them to repeated bending. All metals will behave
>     accordingly when repeatedly bent unless they are specially alloyed
>     to behave like a spring. Germanium is hardly likely to increase the
>     flexibility or strength of Argentium so the jury is out on what its
>     characteristics might be under the same conditions. 

    I respectfully disagree. Argentium has, indeed, been tested for
    breakage and springiness. People who squeeze their bracelets need to
    be taught how to put them on and off properly, and/or have them sized
    down. 

    The people that are having breakage problems are pushing on the
    Argentium Sterling Silver when it is red hot, which is the only time
    that it is fragile. If one wants to press on the metal while
    soldering, in order to get things to fit properly, then one must use
    lower temperature solder, such as Argentium Sterling Easy solder.
    After all, similar accidents can happen when soldering regular
    sterling with hard silver solder! Another solution, of course, would
    be to make sure things fit well, or use binding wire to hold them in
    place before soldering, so that there is not that sort of sudden,
    spot pressure at the moment of weakness. 

    I also would like to remind people know that if they have a problem,
    an excellent resource is available at info AT argentiumsilver.com. They
    will get a prompt answer from either Peter Johns, the inventor, or
    his very able and knowledgeable assistant: Clare. 

Cynthia Eid
http://www.cynthiaeid.com

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