Argentium Casting Job Shop

Jewelry Discussion
1

Howdy to all of Orchidland!

Does anyone out there use a caster that is very comfortable with
Argentium? I have a customer that is interested in Argentium for her
production line, but nobody out here in Rhode Island appears to be
casting with Argentium.

I am hearing that Casters must use 100% virgin grain with every
batch, as there are some problems using recycled Argentium material.
Are others finding this to be the case?

Troy

2

I LOVE Argentium - the best thing since cotton candy!

I use both spin casting (Neycraft spin caster) and vacuum casting -
mostly spin casting. I use standard Satin Cast 20 (Kerr Labs). I use
a propane/oxygen torch for melting Argentium.

I cast Argentium all the time. I often use up to 50% reycled
Argentium, and I have had no problems at all.

Make SURE you use a dedicated crucible for Argentium. Do not use a
crucible that you have used for casting normal sterling.

Jon

3

Hi Troy,

Does anyone out there use a caster that is very comfortable with
Argentium? I am hearing that Casters must use 100% virgin grain
with every batch, as there are some problems using recycled
Argentium material. Are others finding this to be the case?

I am finding out who can be publicly recommended for casting
Argentium Silver. Meantime, I will say that my understanding is that
each caster needs to experiment to find what ratio of recycled
material they can use. The percentage will vary according to how
controlled the melt is, what type of melt is used, and what type of
casting is done, and what object is being cast. My understanding is
that 30 recycled is ok for most casters, and some have told me that
they are doing 50% without a problem.

Cynthia Eid

4 
I am hearing that Casters must use 100% virgin grain with every
batch, as there are some problems using recycled Argentium
material. Are others finding this to be the case?

Troy, you might want to get in touch with Marty via his blog at

Marty has done a fair amount of experimentation with Argentium
Silver (AS) casting, particularly with the newer AS 970 AS which I
believe he finds best suited to the task. I don’t know what his
experience with recycled material might be.

Although AS 970 is not widely advertised I believe it is available
through G&S Gold (http://www.gsgold.com/).

Cheers,
Trevor F.
in The City of Light

5

I know people who are using a 70 -30 mix of new vs. old… it is
working fine…

Andy " The Tool Guy" Kroungold
Tool Sales / Technical
Stuller Inc

6

Hi Troy,

Does anyone out there use a caster that is very comfortable with
Argentium?

I asked Stern-Leach if they could recommend a caster that is using
Argentium Silver, and they gave me this company’s name:

BCS Jewelry Contract Services
135 Webster St
Pawtucket, RI, 02861-1071
Phone: 401-726-4495
FAX: 401-722-2670

Cynthia Eid

7 
Does anyone out there use a caster that is very comfortable with
Argentium?

I agree with Trevor about looking into the Argentium 970 Silver. I
am looking forward to when it is available in sheet and wire. So far,
it is only in casting grain. The only source that I know of is

Here is a caster that I have used for casting Argentium Silver who
did a great job:

Masters of Design
34 Extension Street
Attleboro, MA 02703
phone: 1 508 699 5996

Cynthia Eid