SILVER WORK
XIV
FINGER RINGS, SCARF PINS
Silver: There is very little difference in the handling and working of silver from that of brass and copper. The same operations are carried out and the same tools are used. Silver is more pliable than either one of the other metals, though copper is softer. However, silver melts at a lower temperature than copper or brass, and for that reason greater care must be taken during the process of annealing, soldering, and enamelling.
Silver, of course, is the most precious metal you have worked with. So then the cost of the material limits one to the working out of comparatively small problems. When buying silver, always buy sterling. The sterling silver is made especially for silversmiths and is used in all silver work, pure silver being too soft to stand the wear that is required.
While copper is sold by the pound, silver is sold by the ounce, and rolled out to any thickness you wish. But the gauge is the same as that of copper, a No. 20 in silver being the same as No. 20 in copper. If the problems given here are carefully worked out, enough practice in the handicraft of silver will be given to enable you to work out much larger problems in the metal.
Selecting stones for rings, pins, brooches, or bracelets: Choose the stones that are round or oval in shape, and pick those that have a fairly level bed and are well bevelled. This is necessary so that the bezel will hold tight when rubbed against the stone. Semi-precious and precious stones can be bought at any dealer in stones, and one has his choice out of many to pick from.
FINGER RINGS
Bands for finger rings are all made, practically, in the same way. But there is a great difference in the way stones are set in these bands. Perhaps the three ways most generally used are: setting by means of a bezel, or small band; prong setting, and setting the stone down in a cavity cut in the metal, just large enough to hold the stone.