Categories: Instruction and information
Word count/read time: 422 words; 2 minutes
Refining is a chemical process that purifies a particular metal. Mankind learned long ago how
to separate silver and gold into nearly pure metals. They did so without the use of electricity
or a scholarly understanding of metallurgy.
Today we use mild acid or alkaline baths and a specific current density.
The power source must be high-quality because a dirty current will screw it up. It's not unusual
to spend a few thousand dollars on a device that weighs more than the average person but only delivers
as much current as a battery charger. A good one will also
be capable of electroplating, electrostripping, and more.
In one method the silver dore bar is suspended in the acid bath with an electrical lead attached to it.
Also in the same bath is the
electrode that will accumulate the pure silver. With the correct current, pure silver atoms
deposit on the cathode. After cleaning and testing they are ready to be melted.
Most of the contaminants
dissolve into solution; the others will precipitate and fall to the bottom. The pure
silver will flake off the good electrode so it is important to keep the good stuff
separate from the bad stuff. For that reason
one or more filters are strategically placed to block and contain.
After a while, the solution becomes saturated with impurities. In simple terms,
it will no longer work. The rogue elements will begin to deposit
on the electrode and ruin the batch. Copper is the usual suspect as it is
the most common alloying agent but there will probably be nickel, zinc, and some unfriendly metals.
For those buying supposed sterling silver scrap and
melting it for re-use, there are several problems.
Not only is the purity and metal composition unknown beforehand - and it
likely will never assay to .925 regardless - but
things change after melting. There could be toxic substances lurking about, too.
Certain countries have laws dictating which metals are not allowed in jewelry
and those happen to be the same ones removed by refining.
While the intention is wholly good the end result is far from desirable, consistent, or precise.
In the USA, the law is quite specific on the purities that must be guaranteed.
It is illegal to falsely mark, stamp, imply, or otherwise indicate something
is sterling silver or any marked standard when it isn't. Rest assured that people will
try to be alchemists
albeit with a stamp and hammer instead of a bevy of flasks and test tubes like their forefathers.
Posted by M: May 2, 2018
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