For context both are pure silver and were cast into pre heated graphite molds. The one on the left was melted with mapgas while the one on the right was melted with propane. Anyone have any advice on how to achieve clean smooth shiny ripples on larger casts?
Both pieces were refined via agcl precipitation and sugar/lye reduction. The left was melted in a propane foundry while the right was melted in a melt dish with map gas. Would the surface finish give any insight into purity concerns or is this a casting issue.
Around what percent yield do you aim for when refining silver. I ran my first batch of sterling and had a 84% yield, I’m not sure if I lost silver during the sugar and lye reduction after decanting or what. Any advice would be appreciated.
Has anyone had success with this method? I tried this today but was left with large amounts of clumped agcl which only reduced the outer layer. Decided to pivot and opted for lye and sugar which was messy due to NaOH overshoot.
Not quite sure on the chemistry but I have heard copper can be selectively oxidized while leaving another metal (such as silver untouched). I was wondering if dilute sulfuric acid and 3% hydrogen peroxide could dissolve physical copper contamination while leaving silver alone. Is there any truth to this?
Has anyone successfully melted silver in a gas foundry without struggling from porosity? And if so what crucible did you use to mitigate silver loss from sticking
Out of a 30lb bucket 800g of sterling was recovered with over 2 pounds of super plate. Not bad for $100 risk
I recently purchased some silver testing acid and all my sterling marked pieces test as gray with flecks/small smudges or red. Is this an acid issue or are all my pieces fake?
I’m considering on the best method for high purity chemical refinement and can’t decide between lye/sugar or an alternative such as zinc (coupled with hcl boils) or ammonia/ascorbic acid. If anyone has any advice please let me know.
Are all plaster filled candleholder that are surrounded by a thin foil sterling or can plated silver also come in the form of a thin sheet that surround plaster?
Bought without physically seeing and am hoping there is at least some sterling present
4inches in diameter each
Towle brand sterling weighted. Approximately how much silver is in each?
I’ve recently become interested in silver refinement and have watched a fair amount of videos. My question is what are the best ways for chemical refinement without a silver cell. I’ve heard of people directly precipitating silver from agno3 solution with copper or others precipitating agcl cleaning and then oxidizing via lye and sugar or zinc and h2so4. What method produces the most pure silver?
2 JLR dinner plates and my first ever find. Weighted both of them and they came out to 1300 grams!! Paid $8 each
I’ve tried greenlea and now silver fern farms halal beef from Costco and have on both occasion been met with a extremely pungent bag smell that stays even after rinsing and cooking the meat. Is that smell more common in halal beef or is it an issue with the supplier. I’ve bought halal beef from restaurant depot and have never had any issues.