[Jewelry making - Article 00138] - Re: [Orchid] First Argentium Sterling Adventure

[Thackeray Taylor]

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>     If anyone from Rio is monitoring these posts perhaps they
>     could find out and definitively let us know if it is sold
>     heat-treated or not. And I guess it would be good to know if other
>     suppliers are doing the same.

    There still seems to be some confusion about Rio's Argentium
    sterling products, let me clarify. 

    Rio Grande's Argentium findings (beads, headpins, eye pins, ear
    wires) are activated and ready to use. But our raw materials (sheet
    & wire) are not activated. Activating the germanium is a final step,
    it should only be done after the piece being created out of
    Argentium sheet or wire is completed. Soldering, burnishing,
    polishing, etc. done to Argentium sheet or wire will remove any
    activated germanium oxide, so it really only makes sense to do this
    at the end of the process. 

    Also, bear in mind that Argentium will naturally form a germanium
    oxide layer over time. Activating the surface will build the
    protective germanium oxide layer more quickly, but it will
    eventually happen anyway. 

Sincerely,

Thackeray Taylor
Rio Grande Technical Sales and Support
800-545-6566 ex 13903
technical  AT tbg.riogrande.com

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