I’m working on a piece made from 24k gold and I would like to attach
a small ring, how do I go about soldering it? The store I deal with
doesn’t carry solder for 24k. Thanks
Jack
Jack, I use 18k solder to solder 22 and 2k. I don’t know if it’s
"acceptable", but it works/ Jerry in Kodiak
Dear Collins,
The best way is to do laser welding. It is not possible to use
solder without affecting the purity. Other wise the metal fusion can
be tried ( we have tried and succeeded in some trials ).
Regards,
Rajendran.G
@Rajendran_G
Hello Jack,
I am a manufacturer of precious alloys and have been dabbling in
jewelry manufacturing technology for a while now. I will throw in my
few cents.
From whatever I have gathered over the years, there is a small
window of acceptance of about 0.5% addition to 24 kt gold and still
classify it as 24 kt. gold (i-e 99.50% pure and 0.50% of alloying
additive).
If it is an acceptable norm then, there are quite a few options
available for use. Zinc, Indium, & gallium are a few which cross my
mind.
If 0.50% addition is not an option, then I think laser and fusion
weldingare the only other options available for making a hot
joint.
For a cold joint you could try rivetting.
Nilesh
Hi Jack
I have to solder on 22k and 24k frequently. What I do is take a
piece of 24k or 22k and melt it together with some 18k easy solder.
If you don’t use too much solder, you’ll get a high temp (but
useable) solder that is close to the same color as the metal being
soldered. By the way, this is the same technique I use with pink or
red gold (using a small amount of the gold being soldered to add the
solder to), and I obtain invisible seams that show no porosity. Good
luck!
Jeffrey Everett
1 Like
Hi Rajendran, thanks for the info, I’ve tried fusion and am having a
difficult time of it, I come close then end up with distortion of
the piece. I don’t have a laser available but will inquire with some
friends to see if they know anyone that might have one I could use,
thanks again
Jack
This is not, strictly speaking. about soldering 24k, but it reminded
me. At SNAG, I had the opportunity to get a close look at “micro
alloys”, gold and silver. The other “ingredients” (not necessarily
matal, I gather) are such small quantities that it still qualifies
as 24k. The hardness appeared to be about that on 18k, the color
pure 24.
I was very intruiged, but the alloy is pretty expensive, and would
be needed only for some applications. I’m a sucker for the new, I
have to admit. Anyway, has anyone had any experience with
micro-alloys?
The developer and producer of this one is the partner of our own
Beth Katz (sorry, I don’t remember his name right now). I’d love to
try out the fine silver-- the main drawback, other than costing more
than twice as much (at least in small quantities) is that, as a one
man operation, he doesn’t yet produce any mill products. Sounds
pretty cool, though. Any comments?
Noel
Noel, His name is John Bernerdin and his company is called Pure Gold.
http;//www.puregold.com . John attended the Orchid Dinner in St.
Petersburg. He is a wealth of and, I’m sure, would be
happy to answer any questions about his products. Joel
Joel Schwalb
@Joel_Schwalb
www.schwalbstudio.com
Hi, Joel, Thanks for the reminder of John Bernerdin’s name. He did
answer my questions, at SNAG, and I was well-impressed. I was asking
whether anyone on the forum had used his or anyone’s micro-alloys,
and what they thought of them. Always like to get more impressions!
–Noel
Noel,
John Bernadin is the person selling the PureGold (24k) . John was a
vendor at the recent SNAG conference in St. Petersburg, Florida
where we shared a booth. He has both the 24k pure gold micro alloy
and the PureSilver (fine silver). The PureSilver was introduced at
the SNAG conference. Those attending that conference got the first
opportunity to view the brand new product. It is truly an exciting
product.
The correct address for the Pure Gold web site is
http://www.allpuregold.com. John did attend the Orchid dinner and as
Joel Schwalb pointed out and is a wealth of
Beth Katz
www.myuniquesolutions.com