argentium and sterling silver

[tdelewis]

I have both argentum silver, .940 and sterling silver, .925. My question is will there be a difference in appearance if both are used in the same project. When polished will one be brighter? Will one be darker than the other? Will they be indistinguishable?

 

[T.G.III]

As the material tarnishes it will darken at a different rate as there is a higher silver content in the argentium.

Using fine silver sheet for a project I figured that by making rivets from the sheet that there would be no color change, drawing a small piece through a draw plate, there is a noticeable difference in the material due to the work hardening of the rivet.

 

[pblack]

Argentium silver is an alloy containing germanium which makes the silver more tarnish resistant. It will age and patina differently than sterling. As a jeweler, I can also tell you that different mills alloy sterling silver differently and there is a variation in the color of the patina from that also. There is no standard recipe other than sterling must contain 92.5% silver.

 

[rweigel]

Argentium looks to my eyes a little bit whiter than normal Sterling silver a couple of days after polishing. When in use, it is a little bit more scratch resistant, so it will keep the shine longer. I do oven-harden it some hours at 300°C before the final polish.

Cheers, Ralf

 

[Dani Girl]

So after making something out of sterling one should put it in the oven to harden it?