[Jewelry making - Article 00475] - Re: [Orchid] Difficulties with Silver granulation

[Fredricka Kulicke]

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Hi Ann,

    I've been reading the thread on "Difficulties with Silver
    granulation" and I would like to comment on the advice you've
    received. 

    Silver granulation is simple. (I didn't say easy) You are basically
    heating to a slow, controlled, surface flow (melt). This is Fusing.
    Granulation is fusing granules to a surface and to each other. 

    Fine Silver is preferable to sterling. (Yes, there are those who use
    sterling) I think sterling is a dreadful metal, sometimes necessary,
    but not for granulation. 

    I was interested to read that hide glue is now new and improved with
    nasty chemicals, not good. I guess I haven't bought any hide glue
    recently. The solid hide glue that dissolves in hot water works fine.
    As does smelly fish glue and some other glues. 

    I love the idea of using honey! I'll try that soon. Honey and Yellow
    flux, I love it! 

    The point of mixing the hide glue with yellow hard solder flux is
    this. After drying carefully and placing in kiln, the glue burns
    away. 

    Simultaneously, the flux melts and takes over holding the granules.
    It's a wonderful thing. This is how one can granulate on a curved
    surface or bead. If the granules move or fall off after the glue
    burns away, you need to add more flux to the mix. 

    I start with 8 parts filtered (Brita) water (North NJ has hard
    water) and 1 part flux, 1 part glue. I might have to tinker with the
    mixture until the granules hold tight. 

    Use the smallest amount of glue that does the trick. Try to keep the
    sheet around the granule design glue free. I mop up around the
    granules with a damp rinsed brush. Too much glue/flux mixture and the
    whole thing puffs up in the hot kiln. 

    Any type of copper mixture or copper plating of granules is totally
    unnecessary for silver granulation. Gold is another story. 

    Clean Fine silver flows readily when heated slowly and gently to
    flow point. 

    The backsheet should be thin, we use .011. 

    Thicker sheet is possible but takes more skill. When necessary I
    sweat solder the finished granulation to a thicker sheet. 

    Your granules are fusing to each other but not the backsheet because
    they got hot first and fused together before the back got hot. You
    have to heat slowly and let the sheet around and below the granules
    reach the same temp at the same time as the granules. Similar to
    soldering. You have to heat the larger piece more so it gets hot at
    the same time as the smaller piece and the solder flows to both,
    Right! 

    Granulating in the kiln helps enormously to heat top and bottom
    evenly. Just using a torch is possible but again requires more skill
    and experience. 

    I hope I've clarified and demystified things somewhat. Good luck. 

Regards,

Fredricka Kulicke

Fredricka Kulicke School of Jewelry Art
239 New Road, Suite B 101
Parsippany, NJ 07054

Tel. 201-230-2973
http://kulickejewelryschool.com

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