Silver/firescale

Jewelry Discussion
1

:-o!!! Hi Everyone! I’ve been lurking for so long I don’t
remember if I introduced myself–but with all this talk about the
dreaded FIRESCALE I had to delurk! I’ve been working with silver
for about 3 years now and LOVE IT! I usually work with metal
only, occasional I accent with stones. Recently, I’ve been doing
some small sculpture work so reading the list has been very
interesting. But back to the “F” word–the only thing I’ve ever
used when soldering is Handy Flux which I think is Borax. Is this
similar to Boracic Acid? If not can they be used together? I
file and sand and polish and polish(and sometimes make more work
for myself in the process)and I’ve been told that this "IS THE
ONLY WAY " to get rid of firescale. Still, I keep hoping that
there is a “BETTER” way(I never believe everything I hear!). BTW,
this is a great list! I’m looking forward to being a part of it .
Kathie

I either use firescale preventatives if I have a limited number
of solderings on a piece or polish the firescale off using
bristle brushes follwed by buffs.

For more on firescale see:

Charles

Brain Press
Box 1624, Ste M, Calgary,
Alberta, T2P 2L7, Canada
Tel: 403-263-3955 Fax: 403-283-9053
Email: @Charles_Lewton-Brain

Metals info download web site:
Learning Center - Ganoksin Jewelry Making Community Product descriptions:
https://www.ganoksin.com/kosana/brain/brain.htm

2

I either use firescale preventatives if I have a limited number
of solderings on a piece or polish the firescale off using
bristle brushes follwed by buffs.

For more on firescale see:

Dealing with Fire Scale - Ganoksin Jewelry Making Community

Charles

Well there is bombing- a rather nasty way of getting rid of
firescale. It involves a highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide
bath that you put your pieces in- then dropping sodium cyanide
into the peroxide causing a rather violent exothermic reaction.
Not reccomended without the proper containers, ventilation, and
safety equipment, but it does a through job of removing
firescale.

Also stripping as someone pointed out- sort of reverse of
plating- though I am not as familiar with that.

You can also heat and pickle the piece several times which will
deplete the surface copper and oxides and burnish the resulting
fine silver surface- a very tradional silversmith’s solution to a
vexing problem.

Rick Hamilton