Gold Inlay Jewelry
Q: I'm a goldsmith about to dive into my first platinum with inlaid 18k
job. I'm switching from oxy/acetylene to oxy/propane for this reason.
Anyone have any advice or hints asfar as taking on this task and also as
far as adjusting to the difference in gases? I will be taking a course on
platinum at the Revere Academy but my customers are (unfortunately for me)
getting married before the class begins
A:You shouldn't have a great deal of trouble with the process. I don't
have much experience with oxy/acetylene, always found it too dirty.
Great luck with oxy/Nat Gas though. The Propane should be very similar.
Remember to keep your flame to the gold side if the pieces are similar
in size. The platinum will grab your solder first with equal sized
pieces. I am assuming you are using 18K hard solder. If you are doing
smaller inlay of gold in the Plat, use a bit softer flame for more even
heating. You can always turn the heat up, a bit harder to control a real
hot flame with the metals of differing properties.
Fun with Platinum & 18K! (see
http://www.netins.net/showcase/goldart/custom.htm and
http://www.netins.net/showcase/goldart/ladies.htm)