Dec 15, 2016 argentium is one of the most amazing metals you can work with. What is the difference between argentium and sterling silver. Responsible silver argentium guarantees traceability of its raw silver. All argentium is made from reclaimed silver and its sources are guaranteed by argentium international ltd. Techniques in argentium, volume 1, basics by ronda coryell. In 2009 i took an argentium fusing class with ronda coryell. Marked with the flying unicorn logo, argentium silver is the brand name patented and trademarked by the argentium silver company in the united kingdom.
When i began reading about the differences in soldering with argentium, i saw many comments. Argentium sterling silver is a registered trademark. Dead soft argentium silver bezel strip is easy to bend, shape and hammer. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Argentium silver is proudly featured in this months issue of mjsa journal. Silver wire fusing and millions of other books are available for. Buy wire argentium sterling working silver jewelry. I fuse argentium wire to make my own closed jump rings and chains, but i have never tried fusing argentium to any of my fired pmc pieces. Check out our free online jewelry videos and wire wrap jewelry patterns. Argentium silver can also be fused soldered without solder. She recently released two other videos about argentium silver, how to make jewelry with argentium sterling silver.
Learning to fuse fine silver and argentium bracken. Larry blackwell, a jeweler who specializes in sterling silver chains, uses argentium sterling wire and fuses whenever possible, since he finds it faster than. Fusing argentium jewelry discussion ganoksin orchid. Dec 26, 2014 10 i havent found a way to fuse granulation round balls of silver onto wire without the ball fusing to the wire in an amorphous blob. Argentium 935 millform is a superior silver alloy, suitable for a range of mill products including sheet, tube, strip and wire. By this time, the alloy had failed in the uk market, so i was determined to do all that i could to help argentium silver be a success in the u. This modern version of sterling silver contains more pure silver than its traditional counterpart, and its unique combination of metals gives it a natural brightness that makes it outshine gold, platinum and traditional sterling silver. You can fuse gold onto silver the same way, though it is much harder, because a little too much heat, and the two will alloy, or the silver will run over the gold and cover it. Learning to fuse fine silver and argentium bracken designs. I began to experiment with fusing, since i do not own any welding equipment. Use high karat gold only, even 24k for the best results. Argentium sterling as is a sterling silver alloy that does not firescale, is highly tarnish resistant, fuses and granulates beautifully, and can be hardened at toaster oven temperatures. If youre a metalsmith whos worked only in sterling silver there is a learning curve to working in argentium sterling silver.
Introduction to argentium silver creative, craft and. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading jewelry studio. An occasional rinse or wipe with a soft cotton cloth will keep the metal in pristine condition. This category contains solder designed specifically for argentium wire and sheet. The unique properties of argentium make this metal a dream to work with. Silver is a fine, naturally occurring precious metal with an almostwhite sheen that is used for many purposes including jewelry making. I always heard that you could fuse fine silver, but after reading liz. Excellent tutorial, kriss is a wonderful teacher showing easy stepbystep instructions on fusing fine silver. Oct 16, 2018 a modern sterling silver alloy that modifies the traditional alloy. Demonstrations will include annealing, soldering, fusing, hardening, and finishing. It is certified that argentium is produced using only recycled silver.
Jewelry findings and wire made with argentium silver just need an occasional wipe with a soft cloth to keep their brilliant shine. Keep in mind that hardness is changeable by annealing or heathardening and is relative among metal types each temper. Follow along with industry favorite and argentium silver expert. Argentium silver tarnishes the slowest, then fine silver and, lastly, sterling silver. Topics covered include soldering, annealing, fusing, how to make. Fusing is achieved, without the use of solder, by heating two pieces of metal that are touching to their melting point, resulting in the. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. When soldering or fusing use ronda coryells purple flux for less bubbling. Our range of products includes argentium wire, sheet, solder and casting grain that is both tarnish and fire stain resistant in comparison to traditional sterling silver.
Argentium is sterling silver, but instead of sterling as an alloy of fine silver and copper, it is an alloy of fine silver and germanium. Longer lasting shine argentium silver is low maintenance, easy to care for and simple to clean. Argentium sterling, but not with the argentium 970 silver. This guide to argentium sterling silver is a further adaptation and update of a technical article that was first published in snag news, the newsletter of the society of north american goldsmiths, and later updated for rio grande. Argentium silver is for companies who value quality and wish to rise above a crowded commodity market argentium represents the future of silver. What makes it different from traditional sterling silver is that. Sheet metal and wire are divided into two basic classifications. Brighter argentium silver is brighter than platinum, white gold and traditional sterling. Im happy with this argentium 18 gauge round half hard.
Jewelry making supplies and wire wrapped jewelry supplies we carry a complete line of jewelry making tools, wire wrapping supplies, jewelry wire, cabochons and much more. In the 1950s, intentionally fused pieces were first shown, pieces that used the rich textures and spontaneous compositions that are part of the process. Argentium silver twisted rings argentium silver rings. They are oftentimes utilized as accents within the weave. Highly tarnishresistant, easy to fuse, and beautiful to the eyes, argentium silver will become your new favorite material to work with as you create original. Argentium silver is fantastic type of sterling silver that contains a small amount of additional alloys, giving it dramatically better tarnish resistance than standard sterling silver. In 2006, i was thrilled to be able to purchase argentium sterling silver in the u. It is highly tarnish resistant, firestain free and can be work hardened or heattreated to optimise its durability. I have worked in regular sterling and come to know it very well.
Peter johns has been experimenting with argentium alloys that have more silver, in hopes of making it work better for. Argentium silver jewelry wire, round, 24ga, half hard. Members list ad argentium guild argentium silver guild. I have used the argentium sterling silver wire and know that it does give a better tarnish resistance then your regular alloy sterling silver. Twisted rings are wonderful for adding texture and sparkle to many chainmaille weaves. For more information on our argentium silver wire, sheet and solder range, or to discuss your exact requirements, speak to one of our expert team members today on 0345 100 1122.
I wanted to help people avoid the problems that i had already worked through to make argentium sterling silver jewelry. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. My understanding of why argentium silver is easier to fuse than fine silver is. This course gives an insight into working with argentium silver. What makes argentium different from traditional sterling silver is that a small amount of germanium replaces some of the copper that usually makes up the other 7. Learn how to make a pendant by fusing together argentium sterling silver wire and jump rings. The feature includes argentium high performance silver graphics on the front cover, an advertisement for gsm metals announcing their production of argentium sheet and wire, and a four page insert showing a range of customers work with testimonials. Keep in mind that hardness is changeable by annealing or heathardening and is relative among metal types each temper will feel and handle differently from one metal to another. Fine jewellery collections and exquisite gifts crafted from britishhallmarked argentium silver the worlds finest silver. All of my jewelry is created from argentium silver and 14k goldfilled wire. Fusing on the other hand can only be accomplished with pure metals like fine silver 99. For more info, and to purchase your own book inscribed to you by one of the authors, go to.
As mentioned, sterling silver is a popular alloy in jewellery making, which comprises of a mixture of 92. All of the pieces that are displayed in the video are for sale and c. Argentium however, contains a greater amount of pure silver depending on the grade 935 which contains 93. Safety glasses and dustmask pliersincluding flat nose and round nose. Argentium silver wirewrapping wire fire mountain gems and. Wire sculptures argentium sterling silver wire replaces some of the copper with the element germanium. Thin argentium silver wire in a coil can easily fuse. Argentium redefines the quality of silver with a wide range of superior attributes. In the page of info from argentium silver ltd in the uk, it was mentioned that the alloy could be welded.
Wiresculptures argentium sterling silver wire replaces some of. He uses argentium silver wire for his chains and fuses. Argentium silver official website manufacturing supplies. Argentium really likes itself and fuses well for granulation pieces or jump rings. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Continue to alternate between applying flux and heat until the metal has a white coating.
If you continue we assume that you consent to our use of cookies. Feb 16, 2016 take the steps necessary to advance your skills by working with argentium silver. This highly tarnishresistant metal will become one of your new favorite materials to work with once you dive into. In my experience with fusing argentium silver, you can fuse wire to wire, sheet to sheet, wire to sheet, balls to sheet or wire though i have successfully fused the ends together for a ring shank, i prefer to solder, as the joint is not as smoothly flush when fused in that situation. Purer argentium s 935 and 960 grades set new purity standards for silver. Argentium silver wirewrapping wire fire mountain gems. Wire and sheet metal nancy l t hamiltonnancy l t hamilton. Look for the winged unicorn as a guarantee of the finest silver. Hi folks, i have been reading the posts concerning the pros and cons of argentium with great interest. Fusing, soldering, and keum boo with argentium silver. Fusing argentium silver jewelry discussion ganoksin orchid. See more ideas about silver, sterling silver and jewelry making supplies. Cynthia eid how to make jewelry with argentium sterling. Due to its large file size, this book may take longer to.
For years it was accepted in the field that the fusing technique was the result of poor craftsmanship and had no place in the jewelry world. If you dont like a sheet you made, run it through the. Oct 21, 2012 argentium is sterling silver, but instead of sterling as an alloy of fine silver and copper, it is an alloy of fine silver and germanium. Sep 08, 2016 in my experience with fusing argentium silver, you can fuse wire to wire, sheet to sheet, wire to sheet, balls to sheet or wire though i have successfully fused the ends together for a ring shank, i prefer to solder, as the joint is not as smoothly flush when fused in that situation. I used to solder the ends of sterling silver wire to the edges of. I have not kept up on the latest argentium developments. Posts about fusing argentium wire to pmc written by barb fernald.
Best yet, the tarnish resistance actually increases over time. Get expert soldering jewelry techniques with favorite books, dvds, and more. Intro and soldering and basic and fusing and granulation. How to make jewelry with argentium sterling silver. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Brighter, purer, and more tarnish resistant than common sterling silver, it also boasts hypoallergenic properties, making it suitable for many people with tin or copper allergies. Make a beautiful piece of wire jewelry for your customers to cherish with our argentium sterling silver wire. Before i begin sharing, heres a bit of background info on the differences between fine silver, sterling silver, and argentium silver.
Learning to fuse fine silver and argentium bracken designs studio art jewelry. Since argentium sterling has superb fusing qualities, demos will also include fusing granules granulation, wire. Argentium the finest silver has a range of unique and superior properties that are beneficial for manufacturers, retailers and consumers. Argentium sterling road testing ganoksin jewelry making. The argentium winged unicorn is becoming a global endorsement for premium quality. Argentium sterling is also wonderful for keum boo, an ancient korean gilding technique used to apply thin sheets of gold to silver. I was intrigued by the possibilities of no firescale or tarnished pieces, and had purchased some sheet, wire and solder to play with. I like to use natural bristle brushes, which handle heat better than plastic. It welds flawlessly and is ideal for fusing techniques. Thin wire can be tricky to anneal since it can be difficult to evenly heat all the wire to annealing temperature. Argentium silver revolutionized jewelry making with its patented tarnishresistant 925 silver alloy.
Each filigree item is hand fabricated by using sterling silver or argentium silver frame wire. Allcraft also has the book, as well as the hammers and anticlastic stakes designed by the authors. Cynthia eid is an educator, author, and metalsmith. Argentium is always purer than traditional sterling silver. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. The argentium silver at rio grande is available in a variety of forms and we also offer mokumegane billet rod and a selection of mokumegane sheet. It has so many virtues, but working with it is very different than working with traditional sterling silver. Learning to fuse fine silver and argentium blogger. Silver is a fine, naturally occurring precious metal with an almost white sheen that is used for many purposes including jewelry making. A comprehensive dvd featuring techniques with argentium includes various skills, tips and techniques such as basic metal properties of argentium silver, texturing and hallmarking information, hardening properties, fusing and soldering as well as finishing properties. When people ask me for a cheap way to learn how to fuse fine silver or argentium silver i still point them to this product.
Argentium sterling is available in sheet, wire, bezel and gallery wire, tubing, solder and casting grain, so any projects you make with sterling silver can easily be made with argentium. Argentium sterling silver fusing robert hall originals. Classes are with an experienced tutor and include the use of tools and materials. Argentium sterling has superb fusing qualities, so demos will also include fusing granules to sheet, sheet to sheet, wire to wire, and gold to argentium sterling. Argentium silver wire heart with patti bullard wire pendant, tutorials, heart.
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