| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
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| Silversmith course | 7/7/2009 | orlando cajamarca |
Q: I am moving to Orlando in the next few weeks and I would love to complete a course in ...
A: Congratulations on your decision to move from UK to USA. The 3 Schools that I know in FL. Are very ...
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| Starting A Fire Assay Business | 7/5/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: I am looking for some advice. I have knowledge and experience in the fire assay of gold, platinum, ...
A: I do quite a bit of consulting in start-up businesses in the jewelry trade, so my information is ...
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| Silver losing its shine after soldering | 7/5/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: I use silver solder paste to solder jump rings to the ends of chains. I finish by dipping the end of ...
A: First of all ordinary paste solders are low temperature solders that contain tin and lead,and ...
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| sterling silver forks want to make bracelets | 7/2/2009 | orlando cajamarca |
Q: I have some sterling silver forks and would like to know how to melt them down or how I can make ...
A: I assume you want to make a solid plate like bracelet, if so then you need the following, To start ...
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| european gold bracelet | 6/30/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: I have a gold bracelet, it is european, my grandmother left me, it is marked with the # 750 can you ...
A: What your grandmother left you is an 18 karat gold bracelet.18kt gold is 75% pure gold the balance ...
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| stamp on a pair of my diamond earings | 6/28/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: I have a pair of diamond earings stamped with only PPC, yet on the back/fastner its stamped 1/20 14K ...
A: It seems you have real gold filled earring backs at least. The" PPC" is the manufacturers mark and ...
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| Polishing metal after using liver of sulfur | 6/27/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: I've used liver of sulfur for the first time. My chain and wire is a dark matte gray. Now, what is ...
A: try sealing the oxidized parts with micro-crystalline wax,carnauba wax, or beeswax.then use a 3M ...
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| snap tite setting for loose stones | 6/27/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: I followed your answer regarding the snap set and went to the suggested sources but no one seems to ...
A: tell me what exactly it is you want and perhaps I can give you a better answer. I know one of the ...
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| wooden earrings | 6/26/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: i've recently began making wooden earrings and have NO IDEA what to use to seal them or protect ...
A: If the wood is molding that fast it is too wet to use, place it in a hot car with the windows rolled ...
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| putting gemstones into pickling solution and supersonic | 6/25/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: I am attaching gemstone beads using wire and torch and would like to know how you recommend ...
A: The one thing I can say is set the emeralds last- they can't take heat, ultrasonics or ...
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| Gold plate | 6/24/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: I purchased a lot of earrings at auction and they are listed as 14k E/R gold. Can you tell me what ...
A: Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. The "E/R" stands for electroplated/rolled gold. That ...
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| Borax | 6/24/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: I'm just learning: Can I us 20 mule team and does it need to be diluted or in power form! ANSWER: ...
A: Lisa, The borax if applied properly is supposed to make "globs". You must pre- heat the crucible ...
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| repairing silver jewelry | 6/23/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: I have Sterling silver bracelet with stress cracks on the band. Can I repair these with PMC silver ...
A: PMC and art clay are fine silver they will not be as strong as the sterling , as it is an alloy ( ...
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| putting gemstones into pickling solution and supersonic | 6/23/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: I am attaching gemstone beads using wire and torch and would like to know how you recommend ...
A: First make the component then pickle then attach the gemstones by looping the wire, etc. That way ...
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| Borax | 6/21/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: I'm just learning: Can I us 20 mule team and does it need to be diluted or in power form!
A: Yes 20 mule team is ok, but better to buy pure borax from a jewelry supply house in cone form, or ...
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| silver leaf | 6/18/2009 | orlando cajamarca |
Q: I have learn how to use silver clay how can I use it to make a silver leaf with all the little ...
A: The picture you sent is of a filigree work not silver clay work but is possible to make it out of ...
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| silver leaf | 6/18/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: I have learn how to use silver clay how can I use it to make a silver leaf with all the little ...
A: Either paint on clay slip and let it dry, then fire it or press the leaf into a sheet of the paper ...
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| a silver leaf | 6/17/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: ) I have learn how to use silver clay how can I use it to make agold/ silver leaf with all the ...
A: First I want to advise you to learn actual silversmithing instead of metal clay jewelry making as ...
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| To Repair Gold Filled Jewelry? | 6/15/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: I have an old gold filled jewelry that shows the brass(?) base metal on some parts due to its age. ...
A: Yes have it plated,, tell them you want a heavy plating, with the same purity of gold ( unless ...
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| cutting thin metal | 6/14/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: Dr. Ari, I wondered if you could recommend a suitable type of metal-cutting scissors or light tin ...
A: I would advise some Joyce Chen kitchen scissors- many seem to like them and they outlast the ...
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| How do you dry flowers after dipping them in resin? | 6/13/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: I'm really excited to try dipping orchids in resin after reading some of your earlier answers. I ...
A: hang up a sturdy line over a waxed paper, parchment or newsprint lined surface. Using bulldog ...
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| dental gold for rings | 6/13/2009 | orlando cajamarca |
Q: I am wanting to take a blend of 14 kt jewelery, yellow dental gold crowns, and a bit of 10 kt gold, ...
A: it is not necessary to use a new crucible, dental gold has the same alloy as regular 14k yellow ...
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| To Repair Gold Filled Jewelry? | 6/12/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: I have an old gold filled jewelry that shows the brass(?) base metal on some parts due to its age. ...
A: Yes gold filled is 1/20th pure gold, gold plated is a mocro film of gold electrically bound to a ...
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| casting silver | 6/11/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: I'm a miniature furniture maker and want to cast my own silver mounts. I don't want to spend to ...
A: 100% is your potential success rate! Clean(smooth) the wax well, coat with alcohol as a ...
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| hallmark | 6/7/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: I have a very unique custom made white gold, diamond ring, which i believe was made between 1960 and ...
A: I thought I answered this already. It does in fact indicate 18 karat gold.You may want to remove ...
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| makers mark | 6/6/2009 | orlando cajamarca |
Q: who is the manufacturer of a 14k gold ring i own that has NG stamped inside the band i would like ...
A: At one time in the USA was a Manufacturing Company from Nigeria that was selling their jewelry to ...
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| butane torches, soldering irons | 6/5/2009 | orlando cajamarca |
Q: I would like a professionals opinion on what type of equipment I should purchase. I am seeking to ...
A: Not very sure about the question but I will answer to my best, 1- If melting over a kilo of silver I ...
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| My necklace/ ring | 6/5/2009 | orlando cajamarca |
Q: My boyfriend got me a herrinbone 36' or 24' gold necklace for X-mas. I thought it was real but as I ...
A: To "dip" something in gold solution requires knowledge, practice and equipment. If the jewelry was ...
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| annealing | 6/5/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: I am trying to make a pendant out of a piece of silver plated silverware...a fork/spoon handle and I ...
A: Yes a firecoat is needed to anneal as silver is notorious for fire staining. All you need do is ...
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| gemstone bead attachment | 6/3/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: I am a jewelry designer who creates pieces using gold wire and gemstone beads using wire wrapping ...
A: Michelle, First nothing is too intricate for steam casting: if you can make the model, or master, ...
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| making beaded jewelry from roses | 6/1/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: Ari, My mother passed away recently and a frend of my sister made some necklaces for a few of my ...
A: AH! people like that drive me insane! It is a commonly practised art. All you need is some gum ...
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| gemstone bead attachment | 5/31/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: I am a jewelry designer who creates pieces using gold wire and gemstone beads using wire wrapping ...
A: First let me answer the gemstone beadmost gemstone beads, particularly those sold through Fire ...
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| Silver metal reaction | 5/30/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: Some of my silver pieces (rings, coins, etc.) with a blue-black color (oxidation) were being kept ...
A: Sounds like a zinc chloride reaction to me.This could be from a half-baked jewelry repair using a ...
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| chinese stirling silver | 5/30/2009 | orlando cajamarca |
Q: is this silver as good as the english silver or does this one turn you green
A: This is a good question, Chinese silver is as good as silver from any Country but the process is ...
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| Pendant Markings | 5/30/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: I'm hoping you can help me identify some marks on the back of a pendant I just bought. It is round ...
A: I would in fact like to see an image or drawing of the markings, sounds like exported to Britain ...
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| Sliver turning yellow, orange/brown and dark brown. | 5/30/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: Ari, I have a few questions about my jewelry turning colors. I have lots of jewelry for many ...
A: Sorry about your dilemma! Sounds like you are doing two things rather incorrectly : Storage, and ...
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| antique wedding band | 5/27/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: My grandma gave me her aunts wedding band. On the inside there are several "stamps".ACC9, a crown, ...
A: I can help but I will need a day or so to look up the marks- what you have that I am certain of is ...
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| Making a custom coin | 5/26/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: We are trying to do a custom coin for Cerro Gordo Mines. We have silver but the lead content ...
A: Yes getting a mould made is cheaper than having your raw materials cast for you if you can melt ...
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| refining | 5/23/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: my company is manufacturing cnc make gold bangles and rings we are having lot of scrap in form of ...
A: Though this question is very detailed I will try to help however i cannot answer it in the small ...
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| carats | 5/18/2009 | Dr. Ari Roark |
Q: Is there a difference between 18K and 18ct?
A: Well its a common mistake that people make: 18 karat is the correct way to express the fineness of ...
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