[Jewelry making - Article 00091] - Re: [Orchid] To quench or not to quench, that is the question

[John Donivan]

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>     so there is actually a minor color difference at the same
>     temperature for different elements. So the colors are a good rough
>     rule of thumb but not as useful as a pyrometer :-) 

    First, Helen - I apologize if my tone was rough, but it really
    wasn't directed at you at all, personally. It was directed at those
    who need to turn such a simple thing as annealing into some sort of
    ordeal. You heat it (silver, copper, most YG) to 900 - 1100F max,
    and it's done. And that the colors of hot metals are long and well
    defined, and people should learn them instead of trying to make
    stuff up. As far as Jim's post, above, yes, all that you say is
    true, but on a practical level, which is really what's useful for
    99% of the readers here, a rough rule of thumb is plenty good
    enough. A 10 degree or even 50 degree difference in gauging color is
    really not going to alter the final outcome in any real way. For
    your typical bench jeweler annealing 1/4 oz of silver wire a
    pyrometer or a dedicated, calibrated annealing kiln is pretty silly.
    Colors are how about 99% of shop work is done, until you get into
    refiners and seriously large shops. I myself will put large coils of
    wire into the kiln turned up to 1000F, but since it's not really
    calibrated it's probably LESS accurate than my eye, but it works
    just fine. It's just not that complicated - heat it up, it's done. 

http://www.donivanandmaggiora.com
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