[Jewelry making - Article 00270] - Re: [Orchid] Argentium Sterling: Annealing

[Janet Yang]

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>     this is pretty basic stuff...sorry if this sounds condescending or
>     hurtful but RTFM does seem to apply here. RTFM! I get really miffed
>     at all of the stuff that ends up on this forum because people
>     aren't willing to do their homework first or at all. 

    I *did* read up on this topic before posting my questions. Of course
    I did. 

    I read McCreight, the relevant Orchid archives, and the references
    mentioned. But my results were not consistent with others' results.
    In fact, there were inconsistencies among these references. One
    jeweler reports that AS solder flows well and has good capillary
    action, while another says that ghosting and lack of fluidity are
    known problems with these products. Several sources say to quench AS
    as part of the annealing process; McCreight says that rapid cooling
    creates a condition similar to work hardening, which would seem to be
    the opposite of what you're trying to accomplish. 

    So, I tried both methods to anneal AS wire and still ended up with
    wire of varying temper, unlike when I anneal fine silver or
    traditional sterling. Obviously I did something wrong, or at at least
    different, so I posted my questions. Yes, these were elementary
    techniques, but applied to a material new to market and having unique
    properties. I had done the research, reading, and practice--surely
    that counts as "doing your homework," else I never would have posted.
    I don't like being the village idiot any more than most people like
    the need to rant at one. Honestly, I don't know what I was expected
    to do. 

Janet

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