Argentium® Sterling Silver is a patented and trademarked alloy of sterling silver. Standard sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver with copper and other metals making up the other 7.5%. It is the copper which makes sterling silver tarnish over time. Argentium® Silver is also 92.5% pure silver but it has the element germanium in it which replaces some of the copper. The addition of germanium makes this alloy very highly tarnish resistant! This is wonderful for intricate pieces that are hard to polish or that have fragile stones set in them (which you wouldn't want to put into an ultrasonic cleaner or dip into harsh chemical cleaners.) To learn more about Argentium® Sterling Silver, go to www.argentiumsilver.com.
Gold-Filled, also called rolled gold or gold overlay, is made by heat-and pressure-bonding a thin layer of gold to a base metal core. The base metal is often brass, but it can be any kind of metal. If the base metal is sterling silver it is called vermeil or vermeille. The layer of gold is thicker than the layer deposited in gold plating. Sometimes you will see a notation next to the Gold-Filled label indicating the relationship between the weight of karat-gold and the weight of the base core material. For example, if you see the notation "12/20 Gold-Filled" or "12/20 G.F.", this means that the piece is 1/20th 12 karat gold. The 1/20 notation refers to the ratio of the 12 karat gold layer to the base metal layer by weight, which is 5%.
In "Lost Wax" Casting, the artist carves a wax model which is set into a metal container. A special type of plaster called "investment" is poured in until it completely covers the wax model and is allowed to harden. The container is then placed in a "burnout" oven and heated until the wax "burns out" or melts and drains away (hence the name "lost wax" casting.) This leaves a plaster mold of the original wax model. Molten metal is then poured into the mold and allowed to solidify and cool. The investment is washed away to reveal a metal version of the original model. This metal model can be finished for a "one of a kind" piece, or, a rubber mold can be made from it to make additional copies. Molten wax is injected into the rubber mold and allowed to cool. The mold is opened and a new wax model is pulled out to be used to make the next casting.
Stabilized Turquoise is soft turquoise which has been infused with a colorless bonding agent (often plastic or wax) to improve its durability and prevent its color from changing over time.
Sterling Silver with 5% Platinum (also called "Platinum Sterling SilverTM") is a patent pending alloy of sterling silver invented by ABI Precious Metals in California. This alloy is 92.5% pure silver, 5% platinum, plus other metals making up the other 2.5%. This alloy is highly tarnish resistant and a bright white color which makes it a beautiful and affordable alternative to white gold and platinum. To learn more about this wonderful alloy, go to www.abipreciousmetals.com.
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