[Jewelry making - Article 01032] - Re: [Orchid] Soldering gold filled

[Noel Yovovich]

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>     I've done quite a few repairs and rebuilds on antique gold filled
>     pieces over the years (pocket watch cases, pendants, brooches) and
>     have always used gold solder. It also works just fine with new GF
>     sheet or wire. Back when I was learning, the old hands taught me
>     to treat it as I would gold, and that hasn't failed me yet. 

    I feel compelled to jump in here for the sake of inexperienced
    metalsmiths. 

    First, I didn't understand the post yesterday about sealing the
    edges of GF before pickling-- it is brass under the gold, and I've
    never seen that cause a problem in pickle. 

    Second, newbies should be aware that if GF is heated too much (as
    can easily happen if you are an inexperienced hand with the torch)
    the gold can alloy with the brass-- it "sinks in", so to speak--
    leaving you with just overpriced brass. The melting point of 14K is
    quite low, so it is easy to overheat. 

    This is not to say it can't be done, of course, but forewarned is
    forearmed. 

Noel
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