[Jewelry making - Article 00886] - Re: [Orchid] Argentium Sterling Contamination

[Cynthia Eid]

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Hi Marya,

>     I asked you several weeks ago about what kind of provisions need
>     to be made in a shared studio so that Argentium Sterling is not
>     contaminated. You told me that the only thing I really must
>     concern myself with is a separate set of buffing wheels. Well, we
>     haven't had a chance to make a studio order yet so I am still
>     making due with the buffs that every one uses, even the beginners
>     still working in Cu and Brass. 

    I suggest that if you need to use a buff that has been used for
    copper, etc., then you rake it as clean as possible before using the
    buff. There are commercial tools for this, but one can use an old
    file cleaner, or a coarse hack saw blade, etc. 

    By the way, Peter Johns recommends separate pickle and separate
    soldering boards in a group studio situation where there is a lot of
    work done with copper alloys.

>     Yesterday I had this thought: When someone accidentally
>     contaminates the pickle with steel and copper plates their silver,
>     they are advised to make up a batch of "super pickle" (Pickle w/
>     H2O2). That usually strips off all the pink. If I were to take a
>     fully polished piece in Argentium Sterling, and put it for a few
>     minutes in the Super Pickle would I be preventing later oxidation
>     from residual copper? Would I destroy my polish? (I guess I've
>     never had any reason to put a pristine polished piece in the
>     pickle). 

    Interesting idea! It seems like it might help, but I think that
    prevention is the best idea. If you do use the hydrogen
    peroxide/pickle mixture, don't just put it in and walk away for a few
    minutes. Watch it. After seeing bubbles, take it out and scrub it.
    Hmmm. Actually, I don't think the H202/pickle is such a good idea on
    a polished piece..... Clean the buff. 

Cynthia Eid
http://www.cynthiaeid.com

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