This is my verison of the twisted wire shank rings but I am using 935 Argentium®️Sterling Silver. The ring is entirely fused and I will be showing you how to fuse embellishments, a setting and a pearl peg onto the ring shank. components are Argentium®️Sterling Silver. If you are using anything but Argentium®️Sterling Silver you are going to probably have to use some solder for those components. The pearl setting is made by using one of my water casting components also made from Argentium®️. See video here: • Water Casting Argentiu...
If you haven’t worked with Argentium®️before, but you have worked with 925 Sterling Silver, it helps to forget what you know about working with 925 Sterling Silver. Argentium®️ with good torch control is extremely user friendly and especially for beginner metalsmiths because there is no solder involved, so it can be an entirely one handed operation, as I show in the video. There is no timing or coordination of the addition of solder either by pick or otherwise and especially no concern about pallions melting and running away on you or popping off the piece when the flux bubbles. For the most part I am using spray flux, but I think that’s mostly for show. I really don’t know how necessary it is because I hardly use it when strictly fusing, but some metalsmiths feel more comfortable when the old traditions are honored.🤣.
I am using 18g round Argentium®️wire; length is dependent on the ring size and number of wraps. About 12.5inches is typical for a 6 wire wrap ring. All my Argentium is purchased from Riogrande. www.riogrande.com They have an excellent selection of Argentium®️available in sheet, wire and components.
You will need a pan of pumice. This is super helpful when fusing thin wires to help support the structure from collapsing especially when fusing components to the ring.
I will be pointing out key things to do and avoid when fusing, especially when adding components.
Also some helpful tricks in affixing components in place before soldering because we all know how those beads, granules and earring posts love to move when you least want them to. Blue stick is great but Super Glue is better.
I’m also going to be dispelling my own advice on not moving or touching Argentium®️when it’s orange hot and at fusing temperature. Apparently it can be done. Go figure. But I think the key for doing this is SUPPORT. Gotta support the underlying structure.
There was no special preparation for the silver. I didn’t clean, wash or scrub it. If you ever run into problems with soldering or fusing, apply more heat or get a bigger torch. There’s nothing more heat can’t accomplish.
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