[Jewelry making - Article 00055] - Re: [Orchid] Use Copper in Jewelry...

[Kay Vontz]

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>     If the bracelet is lined with silver as you are describing I would
>     guess that the corrosion would be limited but I would not make any
>     rings that way. In the end it is up to you. If I were you I would
>     make a bracelet for your own use and wear it constantly and observe
>     how it ages. Some customers will probably have greater corrosion
>     and some less but at least it will give you a reference point. 

>     There is no reliable way to limit the effect, coatings will work
>     for a while but as soon as any break occurs in the coating surface
>     the corrosion will begin and will be focused on the holes in the
>     coating making it even more noticeable. 

    Jim, I have a "marriage of metals" - copper, brass and silver cuff
    bracelet - which I lined with sterling when I made it around 12 years
    ago. I have worn it a lot since I made it. 

    Tonight, after reading your posting, I really looked at it closely
    with a high powered magnifier. What I am seeing is the appearance of
    a tiny pin holes (very distinct and neatly round). They do not appear
    to be in the copper itself but seem to be right at the edge of the
    copper/silver join. The holes are very tiny but under magnification
    very visible and do not go all the way through the bracelet. In total
    there are 5 holes I found. These are not the ragged shape areas that
    might appear in a joined seam where the pieces were not filed well or
    did not fit well and the solder didn't fill the gaps- these holes are
    very distinctly round with very clean margins and located very neatly
    adjacent to the copper sections. They are almost all about the same
    size (almost like drilled with a fine drill) and in different areas
    of the bracelet though 2 are close together. The bracelet is hardly
    in danger of disintegrating within the next few weeks, but at some
    point if more and more holes appear, it will no doubt weaken
    considerably. Obviously there is nothing to be done but I would like
    to know if this is what you are referring to as the "corrosion"
    factor. Or should I be seeing the holes in the copper sections
    themselves? Interesting phenomenon and one I'm very interested in
    since my interest in "marriage of metals" has been renewed and I was
    contemplating making some new pieces with this technique. 

    Does this corrosion only occur where copper and silver are layered
    (as in backing the copper with silver) or will it also occur where
    copper and silver are joined side by side as is the case in marriage
    of metals but not backed with silver. 

    Thanks for your expertise - you bring much to the table here in
    Orchid.

Kay

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