Argentium silver for cloisonne

Jewelry Discussion
1

I am new at this – but have only used fine silver – because it is
firescale - free. Now I have heard that Argentium Silver is
firescale-free also. What is the experience from all of you?

2

Hi, You can’t use Argentium for cloisonne or for enamel in general.
It just doesn’t work.

3

While Alicia’s experiences with attempting to enamel argentinium
clearly parallel my own lack of success I understand that it can be
achieved, there is a technical description contained within the
Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, London technical archive. It does
not appear to be accessible on line but perhaps some other
Orchidinian can provide access.

Kind regards
Don Iorns

4

Hi William,

Folks on the EnamelForum at Yahoo Groups have reported successful
enameling with AS 970, which has a higher silver content. They say
that they use it much as they do fine silver.

Cynthia Eid

5 
Folks on the EnamelForum at Yahoo Groups have reported successful
enameling with AS 970, which has a higher silver content. They say
that they use it much as they do fine silver.

What is the advantage?

Noel

6 
What's the advantage?

Good question. Because sterling argentium (925 parts of silver) does
not enamel, they raised the silver content, but why would bother?
Note that the melting point of argentium is signficantly lower than
that of fine silver (766 vs 961 degrees C). It can play a role when
using hard enamels. I just do not see any advantage of using this
alloy for enamelling.

Leach

7

Hi Everyone, I just read all the stir on Palladium, and on the
enamelist website, Grains of Glass, http://grainsofglass.ning.com,
there is a large article on the Main Page, discussing Enameling on
Palladium and the introduction of a hallmark in the U.K.

Enjoy,
Trish White

8

Hi Noel,

The advantage of using Argentium Silver 970 for enameling, instead of
fine silver, is the strength—much stronger than fine silver, but
not the problems of traditional sterling silver.

Cindy