[TheForge] tarnish-free silver info

[Fiorini & Skiles]

A few people asked about the tarnish free silver.  It's not blacksmithing,
but here's the info.
The tarnish free sterling silver uses germanium instead of copper as the
alloying material.  Copper is the big tarnish culprit.  Germanium apparently
doesn't tarnish.  It is still 92.5 % fine silver, just like the sterling
silver that is alloyed with copper.  Here are some links to info
http://www.argentiumsilver.com/text.htm  and
http://www.argentiumsilver.com/downloads/TECHNICAL_GUIDE.pdf.  I love it.
It is so much easier to work with than the copper alloyed silver.  The only
drawback is that it does not oxidize easily, so for an antiqued look, I
would still use the copper alloyed silver.

It is quite strictly licensed for the time being and is available only
through 2 wholesalers in the United States.  One sells smaller quantities to
jewelers and the other will sell only large quantities, 500 ounces or more.
I buy from the smaller supplier until I get one of those dream silver
holloware commissions ;).
-Kirsten

 bkmetal at mwt.net
http://www.mwt.net/~bkmetal/index.html
Japanese Forging Hammers at http://www.mwt.net/~bkmetal/Billhome.html