Understanding Jewelry Spots
Spots in jewelry are foreign particles that become embedded in the surface of a piece, resulting in visible defects. These spots consist of materials that differ from the jewelry itself and can often be seen with the naked eye. Identifying these spots early is crucial for maintaining high-quality standards in jewelry production.
Types of Spots
- Hard Spots
Hard spots are made from tough materials like metals (iridium, osmium) or oxides contamination. When polishing jewelry with hard spots, the polishing brush tends to leave “comet tail” marks due to the resistance presented by the hard material. - Soft Spots
Soft spots consist of softer materials like graphite, plaster or talcum powder, which do not resist polishing. As a result, they typically do not leave comet tails during the finishing process, but can leave the caves.
Sources of Spot Contamination
- Raw Materials: Poorly refined metals can contain contaminants such as osmium, iridium, or ruthenium, which can lead to hard spots in the final product.
- Melting Phase: Poor or faulty equipment may be the reason contaminants like oxides during the casting process.
- Nickel Silicides: Commonly found in white gold alloys, these hard spots can form during slow cooling or poor mixing, and their presence increases when recycled materials are reused.
- Finishing Phase: Materials used in sandblasting and polishing, such as alumina or silica, can get trapped in porous surfaces, resulting in spots.
How to Avoid Spots
- Use Properly Refined Metals
Ensure that the metals used in jewelry production are thoroughly refined to reduce the risk of contaminants. - Control Melting and Cooling Processes
Maintain careful control during the melting and cooling phases to minimize the introduction of foreign particles. - Avoid Reusing Scrap Materials
Steer clear of reusing scrap materials that may contain contaminants, as they can lead to defects in the finished piece. - Reduce Surface Porosity
Take steps to minimize porosity in the jewelry surface, which can trap particles during the finishing process.
Conclusion
Understanding and addressing hard and soft spots in jewelry is essential for achieving high-quality results. By utilizing advanced machinery from Protech Transfer from Indutherm.de, you can enhance your production process and reduce the risk of defects, ensuring a beautiful finish for your jewelry pieces.
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