[Jewelry making - Article 00328] - Re: [Orchid] Is white gold really hot?

[Nanz Aalund]

========[ Invite a Friend - http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm  ]========

Dear Lee,

    in response to your question: what exactly does "resist tarnish six
    times better than standard sterling" mean? 

    The statistics where compiled by independent metallurgical
    laboratories and the American Assay and Gemological Office. I do not
    have access to the actual testing facilities nor their reporting
    procedures. But, I was given test results for the article I wrote. The
    standard test for tarnish-resistance is to take identical size and
    gauge samples of different metals and put them in identical exposure
    tanks or controlled environments, exposing the metals to identical
    amounts of tarnish causing chemicals. Then the accumulation of
    tarnish on each sample would be timed and measured. 

    For example: If it took a standard sterling silver sample 6 hours to
    become completely tarnished. Theoretically, it would have taken the
    platinum sterling sample 36 hours to become completely tarnished. 

    As a jeweler, you should already know that neither gold nor platinum
    tarnish, that is why goldsmith's value them so highly. The point is,
    white gold is not truly white it is a pale yellow color, it will
    discolor although that is not referred to as tarnish, it is hard and
    brittle, and it causes allergic reactions in many people. All
    negative features, that have caused many a jeweler's head and hands
    to ache over the years. 

    Platinum is wonderful for jewelry (my personal favorite) but is too
    expensive for many customers and too demanding to work properly for
    many goldsmiths. My recommendation is not objective, not in the
    least, it is my enthusiastically positive opinion about a relatively
    new alloy that I have enjoyed working with and see as an easily
    workable and economically viable alternative. 

Nanz Aalund
Associate Editor / Art Jewelry magazine
21027 Crossroads Circle / Waukesha WI 53187-1612
262.796.8776 ext.228
____________________________________________________________________
T h e   O r c h i d   L i s t
Open Electronic Forum for Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Procedures
____________________________________________________________________
Orchid FAQ:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/faq.htm
Orchid Archives:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive
Orchid Galleries:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/gallery.htm
Invite a Friend:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm
____________________________________________________________________
Tips From The Jeweler's Bench - Article Archive
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/tip_sear.htm
The Jeweler's Selected Bibliography List
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/jewelry-books
Buy Orchid Jewelry:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/shop
____________________________________________________________________
-Unsubscribe:
-Email: orchid-request AT ganoksin.com Body=unsubscribe subject=blank
____________________________________________________________________