[Jewelry making - Article 00382] - [Orchid] Pitch Problem

[Erica Duffy]

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Hello All-

    I am having an odd problem with black pitch. Normally, the pitch is
    relatively hard once melted into a vessel, and has minimal
    compression when hammered. However, a student put pitch in her
    vessel, and as she hammered it started gradually squeezing out. It is
    soft and a bit tacky--I could easily stick my fingernail into it and
    rip off a piece. I thought that there could have been a contaminant
    in the vessel, so we melted the pitch out, cleaned the piece up, and
    put brand new pitch in. The same problem is occurring. 

    I have no idea what to think. I have used pitch numerous times in
    the past, both in my own work and with students, and I have never
    seen this. The pitch seems normal before we start--we have to break
    it into pieces with a hammer. Any thoughts on what is happening? 

Thanks in advance.
Erica
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