[Jewelry making - Article 00190] - [Orchid] Argentium Sterling Wire Discrepancy

[artsygirl1017]

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Hi All!

    I normally order my silver from Rio. I have always been more than
    happy with the Argentium wire that I have gotten. It fuses
    beautifully - and this is what I primarily use it for. Recently I was
    ordering silver and gold from another company and the Argentium wire
    I got from them I really dislike - it does not fuse at all. It fuses
    okay (but not great) when i use flux - but I have never had to do
    this before and it adds too many extra steps of cleaning before each
    course of fusing. I am used to fusing and hammering over and over
    again not having to clean in between each time. 

    I searched the forums and found some tips that might help. 

    I sanded the wire - that didn't help. I thought I'd try to draw it
    down and see if that would do anything - it did, it made it worse!
    When I tried to fuse with it this time - it didn't and it turned a
    orangey-copper color. Reheating only made the color worse - not turn
    white again. And - it still wasn't fused!! Even with regular sterling
    if it is oxidized, I can still get it to fuse to itself.? 

    Here is a link to a photo of the sort of pieces I am doing (this was
    done w/ rio Argentium). It doesn't really work to flux the whole
    thing. 

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcyrjewelry/502134284/ 

    To return the Argentium wire I don't like - I'd have to pay for
    shipping and 10% restocking fee. Its not really worth it b/c then I'm
    actually losing money. I can still do other things w/ this wire
    besides fuse w/ it.? So I'd like to keep it. 

    Does anyone have any advice as to how to get it to fuse how I'm used
    to? 

Thanks for the help!
Beth Cyr
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