Origins and Development of Argentium Silver
- Argentium silver is the result of research conducted at the Art and Design Research Institute (ADRI), School of Art & Design, Middlesex University.
- The project began in 1990 with research on the effects of germanium additions to silver alloys.
- Germanium was found to impart several properties to sterling silver, including firescale elimination, high tarnish resistance, precipitation hardening, simple heat-hardening properties, increased ductility, and increased thermal and electrical resistance.
- These properties have significant impacts on traditional silverworking methods, such as eliminating the need for plating the final product and reducing tedious steps for silver workers.
- Argentium silver was patented and trademarked by Argentium Silver Company, UK.
Properties and Benefits of Argentium Silver
- The addition of germanium to silver alloys improves their suitability for welding and laser forming.
- Argentium silver has increased resistance, making it more durable.
- The environmental advantages of Argentium silver include eliminating the need for harsh chemicals involved in removing or plating over firescale.
- The patent for Argentium silver mentions possible trace amounts of boron, not exceeding 20ppm.
References
- US patent 6168071, issued to Peter Gamon Johns, describes a method for joining materials together using silver/germanium alloys.
- Peter Johns' research on fire-stain resistant silver alloys is referenced in a publication from the 11th Santa Fe Symposium on Jewelry Manufacturing Technology.
- Additional reading materials include investigations on the quality of enamel on germanium silver and articles on Argentium sterling silver.
Further Reading
- Various articles and publications provide more information on Argentium sterling silver, including its properties, testing, and usage in jewelry making.
External Links
- The official website of Argentium silver.
- The Argentium Silver Guild's website, which provides information and resources related to Argentium silver.
Argentium sterling silver Data Sources
| Reference | URL |
|---|---|
| Glossary | https://harryandcojewellery.com.au/blogs/glossary/argentium-sterling-silver |
| Wikipedia | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentium_sterling_silver |
| Wikidata | https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4789510 |
| Knowledge Graph | https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/m/0h7gm2 |