[Jewelry making - Article 00295] - Re: [Orchid] Forgot ring in pickle

[Helen Hill]

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>     I routinely leave 18k jewelry in pickle overnight and occasionally
>     longer. Haven't had any problems with it yet. 

    This is an interesting topic. I work mainly in sterling silver and
    have also often left jewellery in my pickle pot overnight or for
    longer periods of time without a problem. However, I have recently
    made my daughter a quite complex necklace for her prom in June. It
    has many parts which are all hand-fabricated and therefore contains
    many solder joints. After every solder joint, I test for strength. If
    the part (eg jump ring soldered to setting) comes away or there is
    ANY movement at all - it gets soldered again and tested again so
    that by the time it is finished, every joint is rock-solid. 

    However, I left the necklace in the pickle for a few days once
    fabrication was finished, thinking that it would do no harm and when
    I removed it, a number of the previously rock-solid solder joints
    were now weak and came apart when tested. It was more of an
    inconvenience than anything else as I just had to resolder the
    affected joints - but I am intrigued as to why this would have
    happened. 

    I use plumb sterling hard solder (bought from Stuller) and sodium
    bisulphate pickle. Any thoughts welcomed. 

Helen
UK
http://www.hillsgems.co.uk
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