Argentium 940 Silver - Fusing and Soldering
Join us as we explore the latest Argentium alloy, Argentium 940. This alloy has even more silver content and is less prone to slumping when red hot, like previous alloys.
Argentium silver solves many of the issues that people have with sterling.
- You can fuse it easily, so for many joins you can fuse instead of soldering - I'm talking to the people who don't like to solder!
- It also solders beautifully and quickly, too!
- It doesn't conduct heat like sterling, so you can heat just the area you want to join.
- Argentium doesn’t scale like sterling, because it's alloyed with germanium, not copper.
- No scale and less flux means less time pickling and less polishing. This saves time and money.
- You can harden it in an oven. Make those ear wires less bendable without twisting.
We’ll use 3-4 fun projects to practice how to saw, file, fuse, solder and polish Argentium 940: some jellyfish motif earrings; peace dove earrings with twisted branches and pearls; a wrapped wire ring with a bezel setting; and a small pendant with fused on borders and granules.
Techniques taught:
- How is Argentium different from sterling?
- Fusing
- Soldering and best fluxes for Argentium
- Quick techniques for polishing
- Sculpt and fuse Argentium in ways that would be difficult with other metals.
- How to harden Argentium with heat, without twisting or forging
A kit of materials is included with this class.
A full color handout is included with the class.
Create your own workbook with a beautiful handout that is downloadable for this workshop. Handouts include instructions for techniques and projects, reference charts and lots of information to support your learning.
Tools for Online Students
This is a list of tools online students need to practice the techniques shown in class. (in-person students have tools to use at school and don’t have to buy anything extra). Feel free to contact us with any questions. This list includes basic jewelry tools that most students already have.
A list of tools with links to recommended suppliers for the best prices will be emailed to you immediately after registration If you have questions about the tool list, please contact us.
Your preferred torch (one that can make a small flame is preferred, like a microbutane torch or small tips with bench torch)
Solder board
Solder pick
Flux - any yellow-green liquid self pickling flux or Rhonda’s Purple Flux are recommended.
A flux bottle with a needle spout
Charcoal block (hard or soft)
Third hand with cross locking tweezers,
Flush cutters
Chain nose pliers
Round nose pliers
Half round/flat pliers
Half round or ring file Swiss Cut #2
Bench pin
Saw frame
saw blades - 4/0 or 6/0, dozen or gross
Needle file set of 6, Swiss cut #2
Steel bench block or similar
Ring mandrel
Riveting hammer or similar, polished preferred
Chasing hammer or small 2 oz ball peen
Burnisher, curved
Prong pusher with flat face (no grooves)
Dapping block and punches (wood or steel)
4x4x2 (or similar) size scrap block of any hardwood
Prerequisites:
Basic jewelry fabrication skills for precious metals, like successful completion of a basic jewelry fabrication class, like Basic Jewelry 1 (in-person workshop) or Jewelry 1 - Basics (online). These skills include sawing, filing, soldering and finishing precious metals.
Instructor:
If a class is online, or is a combination online and in-person session, all students receive a link to a recording of the class demonstrations. In-person only workshops are not recorded. For staff instructor classes, students have access to the recordings for one year. For guest instructors, access is 30 days.
If a kit is included with the class, online students will have them mailed to them. Kits for in-person students are delivered at the beginning of the first class. More information about the kit is included with the supplies list which is emailed after registration.
International students may be charged an additional amount for shipping, because of the increased cost to ship abroad. Also, shipments to other countries may incur a tariff payable by the student. International students are welcome to contact us re: these costs and options for their materials. Please be sure that the address with your payment is the correct one for shipping.
If this class is offered online, it uses the Zoom app/website. Through Zoom, you’ll be able to see demos and follow instructions, ask questions and interact with your instructor. Zoom is easy to use and free for students to use for class, and works on most devices, like phones (iPhone, Android, etc), tablets (iPads, etc), and computers (Mac or PC).
Your instructor is also available during free Zoom office hours for questions and help.
For classes that include work time, online students work at home or in their studio. All of our recommended tools and the kit materials are chosen to be home studio friendly. Links to preferred vendors are provided in the supplies list sent after registration. Some classes, like our short demo only classes, don't require tools or materials to attend.
There are no requirements regarding COVID at this time.
As always, we clean and disinfect shared tools and benches after each class.
If you have tested positive for COVID, have symptoms that could be COVID, or feel ill, please don't come to class. Contact us for more information.
And now the fine print. Payment in full for class fees is due at the time of registration to reserve your place. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and PayPal. Checks and cash are accepted only if you register at school. If you mail a check, your registration is not processed until it clears and the class may fill during the wait.
If the workshop is canceled by our school for any reason, all class fees will be refunded, or you can transfer to another class, or you can keep a credit on account with us for future classes or purchases,
Students can cancel, receive a credit or refund, or transfer to another class up to 21 days before a workshop, whether it is online or in person. No cancellations are accepted after the 21-day deadline, however, we will do what we can to try and sell your place to a qualified student. If we can sell your place, you can receive a refund less a $50 cancellation fee, keep a credit on account with us, or apply your fees towards a transfer to another class.
If you can’t make it to class, you may send a participant who has the necessary prerequisites in your place. Please call or email us immediately with any changes in the student participant information. If a class includes an online section, your class will be recorded and you can watch later to make up a class you miss.
Students must be at least 15 years old to attend a class, and students under 18 must have a legal guardian sign our liability waiver form. We have had younger students attend classes, on a case by case basis. If you’re interested in enrolling your child, please call or email us.
If you sign up for a class and fail to have the required prerequisites as listed in the class description, you are still subject to the 21-day cancellation policy, listed above.
Lodging and meals are not included for in person classes.
If you don't come to class, there are no refunds, credits or transfers.