Sterling Silver bands

Briarfox · Post by **Briarfox** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 11:37 pm

I just finished a set of pipes for my wedding and I'm having a problem with the sterling silver bands tarnishing, literally over night. I was told that there is some way to seal them to keep them from turning so fast. any ideas? Can I put a coat of carnuba over them?

Post by **KurtHuhn** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 12:56 am

Carnuba or renaissance wax should do a good job.

me2cyclops · Post by **me2cyclops** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 11:12 am

next time buy some argentinium silver It dosn't tarnish like sterling but is just as strong, heck for an inlay I'd use fine silver it's even brighter

Ladyblacksword · Post by **Ladyblacksword** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 7:09 am

me2cyclops wrote:next time buy some argentinium silver It dosn't tarnish like sterling but is just as strong, heck for an inlay I'd use fine silver it's even brighter

Argentium is only tarnish resistant if it's been heated after all other finishing work. And it can be a little more brittle than sterling in some applications.

So if you buff it, drop it in the oven at about 250-300 degrees for an hour.
This develops the layer of Germanium oxide that does the tarnish resisting.

Trust me on this one- pipe making is my second hobby, after silver and copper-smithing.