I have been using brass (“Merlin’s gold” = red brass and ironically, “jeweler’s bronze”(!)) for about 40 years and love it. I often use hammered brazing rods as solder (good color match), so I don’t understand the comment that most brasses melt when brought up to soldering temperatures. I tell all my customers to wear their ring through everything (showers, dish-washing, etc.). They stay bright and the “green finger” possibility is mostly avoided. Perk it up occasionally with a silver-polishing cloth.
Brass will work for reticulation, but nickel-silver is even better.
Judy Bjorkman