AboutPeter Coombs Expertise I have over 20 years experience in all forms of handmade jewellery, flatware and holloware in precious metals involoving forging, fabrication and finishing.
Also works in aluminium for spectacles and trophies etc
Experience Many Past/Present clients including:
Elton John/Spectacles, la Eyeworks/Spectacles & Jewellery, Lord Mayor of the City of Adelaide/Lord Mayoral Medallion, and many others
Expert: Peter Coombs Date: 1/31/2008 Subject: enameling
Question I am doing enameling on silver (92.5 silver + 7.5 copper). but the enamel is chipping of in the process of polishing, ultrasonic and rhodium. Is there any special way of processing enameling pieces? Also, discoloration happens on the edges of the enemel touching the silver surface. so the red color gets a black border, and the blue a green border.
Please help
Answer Greetings,
I don't envy you - enameling on 925 is a real head ache.
The easiest way to avoid this is to not use 925, alternatively you could copper or gold plate the piece first..........
There is no easy answer. Ideally you want to heat and pickle many times to build up a layer of fine silver.
The chipping could be many reasons, but sounds as if you have inclusion either from not enough heat to melt the glass or perhaps not a clean surface. With enamel you must be meticulous.
Grind the problem area with a diamond burr and re-enamel.......that should sort the issue.
