Tumbling Gold and Silver Together

I've been doing a lot of chainmaille lately and I have found I prefer working with tumbled rings. I usually have enough components to tumble my gold-filled projects and my argentium silver projects separately, but can I put them together and expect the same results?

Stacy's Answer:

You can tumble the two metals together with no problems at all! I too prefer to tumble my rings before I incorporate them into a design as they are evenly polished and slightly work hardened by tumbling. I tumble mixed metals all the time with excellent results!

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Tumbling Gold and Silver Together

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Sep 28, 2010

thanks ... and regarding copper
by: Hippie Chick

I noticed you suggest tumbling copper. I've been wondering about that, too. The copper wire that I buy says tarnish-resistant and I know it has a finish on it of some kind. I've been reluctant to tumble it in fear that the finish would be gone and my customers would all turn green! ;) Sometimes I use the colored copper, and assumed the color would be polished off. I will probably experiment soon, if I don't hear from you. ;)
Thanks!!

Stacy's Answer:

Although I don't personally use coated wire I know that most of the clear coated copper wire from craft stores has a very durable finish which is not affected by short stints in the tumbler. However, color coated copper wire can be damaged in the tumbler. Results vary from brand to brand. If in doubt, I'd do exactly what you're planning, which is to experiment with it a bit. Let us know what you find out!

Oct 05, 2010

tumbling colored copper
by: Anonymous

Thanks for the encouragement regarding the 'plain' copper. I have already tumbled it and it looks great, I'm glad to hear that no one should turn green (right away).

I also tumbled the colored copper. I use it less and less myself, but sometimes my students enjoy the the variety of colors at the price of copper. The cost of silver and gold does not encourage learn and practice. ;)

Anyway, the results were just fine. The rings firmed up, the edges smoothed the color stayed. I have noticed, however, that finer gauges of any wire are likely to get mangled.

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