Wire working

Re: HELP!! Horrible, unsolvable problem with wire!

OriginalSin — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 17:49:30 GMT

I'm a former goldsmith and latterday beadweaver, usually post on B&B but I got caught up in this interesting dilemma and have another suggestion for you on top of everybody else's. Won't solve the problem but it will help battle the humidity issues.

Buy yourself a bag of silica crystals, you know those tiny white packs they put in with new shoes, leather handbags, coats, etc? You should be able to find it in the grocery store in the department where you buy household cleaners, air fresheners and stuff like that. They usually come in kits to dehumidfy rooms in the house, but I'm sure they sell "recharge" bags of just the crystals. Make up a bunch of small sealed cloth packets, you won't need to sew anything, just put a spoonful or two of crystals in a small square of thin cloth or gauze and tie the top off to keep it closed. Put a small packet of silica in each individual ziplock containing the finished jewlery, and make a larger, generous packet also to put in the bags where you store your metals. That will take care of any humidity issues until the jewelry or metals are removed from storage. The packets can be regenerated to be used again once they're saturated (the crystals go from white to a very pale yellow when they've absorbed all the humidity they can take - and they do last a long time before getting saturated so you won't have to regenerate them often). All you have to do is put the packets in the microwave for 15 - 30 seconds depending on the size of the packet.

Hope that adds to all of the interesting suggestions posted here!

Re: HELP!! Horrible, unsolvable problem with wire!

ikstuart — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 03:37:51 GMT

Yes, it could be your water. The water where I live has a very high sulfer content which I discovered purely by accident. I was in the process of cleaning some earrings then changed my mind about wearing them and left them sitting in a cup of water. When I returned 5 hours later they were as dark as if I'd used LOS on them. I now only use distilled water in my tumbler. Humidity and salt water only add to the problem.

Re: HELP!! Horrible, unsolvable problem with wire!

John — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 23:17:01 GMT

Any black or tarnish is most likely caused by dirt in the liquid that commonly comes from not changing the water and burnishing compound often enough.

Re: HELP!! Horrible, unsolvable problem with wire!

Preston — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:02:48 GMT

Hi, You may have several problems and one has been mentioned.

#1 I'm not sure what type of wire you are talking about but gold filled nor sterling should tarnish that fast. If it does its not gold filled its probably gold plate or 1/100 gold filled almost the same thing.

The sterling should not tarnish that fast so both metals are doing the same thing so I think there may be another problem.

The rubber lined tumbler could be the culprit especially if you used it for argentium silver wire. That wire is very finicky and it can leave a residue that can create wire dis coloring. So check your tumbler and clean it out well and scrub down the rubber.

Copper and brass will tarnish under any conditions so there's not much you can do there. But lots of people buy both copper and brass especially if the price is adjusted accordingly.

The gold plated chains came from me and we had quite a few complaints about them. I no longer own the company i sold it some time back but contact me and we will give you a full refund on the chains no problem. There plated but they should not tarnish that easy.

I was still not clear on the gold wire weather it was gold filled or what. If i knew more about that i might be able to help you further.

preston

www.wirejewelrybootcamp.com

Re: HELP!! Horrible, unsolvable problem with wire!

Pisces — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 05:56:46 GMT

From what you said about the pipes & machines in your house, it sounds like your water may be a major culprit. And I don't think humidity alone is the problem, it's what else is in the air like salt from the ocean. My sister lived in Haiti for a few years & had nonferrous metals erode away in some pieces. Just like the air in Venice is eating at centuries-old statues & buldings.

Personally, I would try to NOT let my pieces touch water if I could. Good luck & come back to tell us your findings, OK?

sher

Re: HELP!! Horrible, unsolvable problem with wire!

tracydee — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 17:51:52 GMT

Just have to move....lol...since Hurricaine charlie, no bank has written a mortgage here. There are only two houses on my block NOT for sale!!! T

Re: HELP!! Horrible, unsolvable problem with wire!

Russ Nobbs — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 18:19:12 GMT

<DOH!> Argentium is a great idea for future projects. Heat treating it makes it even more tarnish resistant.

Rings & Things was one of the first places to have findings and ear wires made from Argentium. More places now carry findings and the raw wire. There are some very good resources on the web and in these forums about Argentium.

In the mean time, good luck with the upcoming show!!!!!

Re: HELP!! Horrible, unsolvable problem with wire!

sparklebee — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 05:00:22 GMT

you'll just have to move.

ps - the argentium is a superb idea. get it at Monsterslayer.

Re: HELP!! Horrible, unsolvable problem with wire!

jilla — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 03:54:07 GMT

Rio Grande carries the anti-tarnish zip bags. I'm not near my catalog right now but when I can I'll look up the number.

Also - if you've never tried Argentium Sterling, you might want to consider it. Rio Grande carries it and I'm sure others do as well. It's a teeny bit more expensive but much more tarnish resistant and it's becoming available in more and more gauges and findings. I have some but haven't worked it up yet, but it's packed with my regular sterling and seems to be as bright as the day I bought it while the regular stuff is slowly and gradually loosing it's shine.

Re: HELP!! Horrible, unsolvable problem with wire!

tracydee — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 23:57:38 GMT

do you happen to know the name of the new zip loc? I went out and bought a LOT of bottled water, and as my show is on Sat, I am re-cleaning it ALL again tonight, then rinsing in the purchased water. Wish I had that new zip-loc. I use Glad, 'cause it is the only bag that doesn't leak when I use it to marinade meat. Maybe TWO bags...? HHHMMM! I will report back!! THANK you all so much for your input...without each other's help, most of us would be adrift in the dark. THANKS!!!! TD

Re: HELP!! Horrible, unsolvable problem with wire!

Russ Nobbs — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 23:45:37 GMT

STERLING, Copper, Gold filled, plated, it is all the same.

I think the water or the salty sea water & high humidity is the issue. Gold and gold filled can't tarnish. You have to wear through the gold layer to make the base metal layer underneath tarnish. If ALL these metals are looking cra**y then you have some environmental issue going on. By all means, post back here and let us know what works and what you learn.

There IS a new plastic zipper lock bag on the market that is anti tarnish. It IS better than the regular bags for avoiding oxidation while in the bag.

Re: HELP!! Horrible, unsolvable problem with wire!

Katrina — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 21:11:42 GMT

Wow! this is interesting and so is everyone's comments.

I'm new to this site, but hope I can be of help.

I've been wire wrapping for over 7 years and the only time I had a serious tarnish probelm on my silver was taking it to St. Petersburg Fla back in maybe 2001. We stayed at the beach. I had to say it was the humidity. I'd never had that problem before or since when going there.

I also would say to try different bags. Not all zip lock bags are created equal.

Also, you should never use an anti tarnish or (over-the-counter) silver polish product to clean your jewelry whether gold filled or silver. It actually takes away a slight layer of gold or silver and over several cleanings will NOT get clean again, no matter what you do.

Also, only use REALLY Good quality gold-filled or sterling silver wire and findings, ie from Rio Grande or Fire Mountain Gems. Never by plated wire or findings as they DO NOT hold up over time and your customer is disappointed with Your product. My daughter is highly allergic to metals plus a variety of foods, so I test out my earring findings on her first before buying any quantity to make sure they are 92.5 silver and 14kt. gold-filled. If her ear or neck starts itching or breaks out, which is usually pretty soon after putting on the item, I know it's not what the seller claimed it to be.

Look at Rio Grande for a cleaning solution that goes into your tumbler, with water. I have been using that with just a little rock tumber from Michaels and my wire wrap and findings come out beautifully in about 30 min.

If hand cleaning, I use a small drop of peroxicare tooth Paste, joy dish soap in the palm of my hand and a little water and a toothbrush. Cleans my jewelry right up as well as old earrings that have been sitting around a year.

Good luck!

Let us know what products you are actually using. I have order some things from Preston Reuther, but wouldn't say it is of the highest quality. Even his brass doesn't since, no matter what!

Katrina

Re: HELP!! Horrible, unsolvable problem with wire!

tracydee — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 17:39:58 GMT

High humidity?? That's a joke, right? I live in Punta Gorda, Florida (Remember hurricaine Charlie?)....the armpit of God (sorry to be so graphic!! LOL)

Even WITH a water softener AND a full house filtration system, we replace all three water heaters every 2 yrs due to copper erosion....everything thurns green and solid. And in the last three years, I also replaced my dishwasher and washing machine (this is a NEW house with top of the line appliances!). EVERYTHING carodes! This month, my pool heater blew, too.....the pipes (even PVC ones) simply solidify!

Humidity? Surely, you jest!!

Re: HELP!! Horrible, unsolvable problem with wire!

jilla — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 16:06:20 GMT

If the sulphur content of your water is high, you might be onto something. Perhaps try a rinse in bottled water after tumbling and see if that makes a difference.

Some people's body chemistry causes metal to tarnish in a heart-beat. That could be it, but it sounds like the water is a good place to start looking.

Also - do you have a humidfier in your house?

I don't believe for one minute that you are embellishing or over-reacting. I do a lot of work with polymer clay and incorporate leaf. Last winter I had some copper leaf worked into a piece and the leaf turned black literally before my eyes, due to high atmospheric humidity. So I've seen for myself what you are describing.

Re: HELP!! Horrible, unsolvable problem with wire!

tracydee — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 19:13:21 GMT

I was re-reading my own post, and then I noticed: it starts at the point between the "UN" tarnishing and the rinsing with water from the faucet. Could it be that my tap water does it? Anyone?? HELLO?!! (This SOUNDS like an embelishment, I know....but I have NEVER seen anything like it! It really happens that way!) TD