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-----Sterling silver turned copper colored
July 1, 2009
I am a hobby silversmith and have just recently completed a chain bracelet, with links made from two different gauge sterling silver, connected consecutively. The lighter gauge sterling wire, after annealing, looks like copper. I assumed that the copper in the sterling had precipitated to the surface during annealing because of the way I heated it, or the temperature I took it to, or the way I cooled it or whatever. I am not aware that I treated it differently from the other wire, nor from how I have annealed lots of sterling in the past. The result is that I have a chain bracelet with what looks like silver and copper links. Looks good but I may have trouble convincing a buyer that it is silver.
Can someone explain what has happened. If it is irreversible what can I call it or how can I explain it. If it is reversible how can this be done as buffing is only polishing but not removing the color.
If it is something that can be done intentionally, what did I do as I may like to repeat it.
Hobbyist - Inverloch, Victoria, Australia
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