Argentium Silver

Argentium Silver Jewelry
Filed in archive jewelry techniques by Maggie MacLean on March 06, 2008

Argentium® Sterling Silver
By definition, sterling silver has 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other materials. Pure silver (fine silver) is rather soft, so adding another metal helps make sterling silver sturdier so it holds up to regular wear. Silver is typically alloyed with copper, which makes a durable and attractive blend, but it tarnishes easily.

Argentium has the same 92.5% silver, but it also has a little bit of a metal called Germanium, which makes it far more tarnish resistant than .925 sterling silver.




Working with Argentium
Argentium is more ductile (able to stretch) and malleable (able to bend without breaking) than Sterling Silver. Before using Argentium wire, you can heat it slightly to engage the tarnish resistance, and this may harden it a little as well, and make it a little easier to work with.



The Tarnish
Sterling silver tarnishes due to the presence of sulfur, which reacts with the copper. Sulfur can come from perfume, deodorant, skin, and the atmosphere. Some people tend to tarnish silver quite rapidly.

So why doesn't Argentium tarnish like sterling silver? The difference is that small amount of Germanium. It forms a thin layer of Germanium Oxide on the surface of the metal, which is almost transparent. This layer keeps the sulfur from reaching the copper, so it can't react and cause tarnish.

While this barrier layer will build up over time at room temperature, heating it will help build the protective layer faster. This is also why it's not necessary to protect Argentium from oxygen when soldering or fusing.

When Argentium does tarnish, it takes on a very soft yellow color, where .925 sterling silver forms a dark black patina. Under normal circumstances, washing with dish washing liquid and a soft brush is all that is required to keep Argentium sterling silver jewelry bright and shiny.

Just last year, beads, chains, and clasps in Argentium became available. I think it's worth the small extra expense for its strength, beauty, and its tarnish-resistant finish.

SOURCE
About Argentium Silver

Designer Lori Bonn; Clearly Good Conscience.

Lori Bonn not only has fabulous designs with unique colors, she is working towards a socially and environmentally responsible industry. Take a look at the Clear Clear Conscience Jewelry Press Release.

From:
Clear Conscience Jewelry
December 13, 2006

Socially Responsible Bangle, Baubles & Beads!


Oakland, CA . . . Lori Bonn Designs announced the launch of a long term industry project called Clear Conscience © jewelry and accessories that will provide the consumer a choice to purchase products that are environmentally neutral and socially positive. In developing this initiative, it is Lori Bonn Gallagher and her husband Bill’s hope that their program will lead to a standard in the industry for Clear Conscience © jewelry and accessories.

To assist in their project, Lori and Bill are seeking advice, support and participation of suppliers, other designers, retailers, educational institutions and consumers. Once adopted, anyone purchasing a Clear Conscience © product will know that the item was produced in a responsible manner without harm to the environment or the people in the communities from which it came.

Lori Bonn Designs recognizes that while there are jewelry and accessory products that are made and come from responsible sources, not all are produced in this manner. The concern of the Gallagher’s is that there are many communities around the world that have been harmed by the environmental impact of material production and have had negative social impact from unsafe and unfair labor practices.

Without a standard, the average consumer has little way of knowing the impact of their purchases. Misdirected consumer backlash due to lack of knowledge or misinformation could even harm communities that can least afford it. Clear Conscience © accessories creates the possibility that an informed consumer and a cohesive, aligned industry will have a positive impact on the communities which we trade and give consumers a “clear conscience” when purchasing their baubles, bangles and beads!

Get a peek at the upcoming Lori Bonn spring line, Frida, at jewelrycrossings.com