Advanced Soldering | Jewelry 101 

Great suggestion! We are working on a new Pro Tips video all about wire. Stay Tuned!

Hey Becca! A gun will not produce the heat needed to make the solder flow. Good luck! - Susan

Silver or gold

Great question! Welding means melting metal and using some sort of "filler wire" to complete a connection and soldering involves using a precious metal bearing solder (either wire, sheet or paste) and heating it to make a connection. In jewelry making, soldering is the most used form of joining metals. A lot of bench jeweler's, especially for big companies use laser welders. However the problem with welding (this is from our bench jeweler Tony), is that if you don't keep the temperature of your filler wire and the wire of your piece at the same temp, you could melt the whole piece. He says It's very difficult to do if you have not practiced it or have been doing it for a long time. With soldering, you have a solder paste with flux already included in it to help with making your join. Its the most useful and the most cost effective way to achieve a professional look with a much less chance of messing it up. Good new is, if you have messed it up, for whatever reason, you aren't out a lot of money and you can start over. If you're a beginner, soldering is the way to go. Our best advice, start small. Do your research. Go online and look for soldering articles and Facebook communities where you can talk it out with others and make the best decision for you! Good luck and thanks for watching!

Ah great question! One option is using flat wire. It comes in a variety of gauges and widths. You can buy metal in sheets as well and cut them to the width you like using metal shears. You can file down your rough cut edges before bending and shaping. Some of the metal sheets even come stamped with nice designs in them or you can stamp them yourself. Sheets like this are more for a 'cuff' design. www.jtv.com/product/pattern-metal-kit-incl-yellow-brass-copper-3pcs-each-2-5-x-6-total-6-pieces/JSWRKIT79?mcid=XSOjsyt Flat Wire: www.jtv.com/product/artistic-flat-wire-in-silver-tone-appx-0-75x5mm-in-diameter-appx-3-total/BDW060A?mcid=XSOjsyt

Hi! Check out our new soldering video that should answer all your questions! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-p4KJCcZgAvU.html

@Ary Alexandra Hi there actually u can but u need steel shots. It will also harden it as well as clean it. Make sure to use mix shot. If u only use the round shot it could cause lil dings on your jewelry piece. 😊 hope this helps

Susan uses no. 65 Soft Silver Solder Paste which already has the flux included. She does use the aquiflux spray in addition to the paste.

If I wanted to use soldering wire instead of the paste, would I just use silver soldering wire? I guess I’m just wondering if the solder has sterling silver in it? Not sure how that works 🤔

Hi! Pickle is an acid compound (Sparex is the most popular brand) that when combined with water, is used to clean your jewelry pieces after soldering. Usually, it is heated in a pickle pot (a small crockpot). Susan did a new soldering video that is all about pickle. It's much more in depth and I think will answer all your questions. Check it out! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-p4KJCcZgAvU.html Good Luck!

Hi Morgan! You're in luck! Here is the link to get one. Hard chromed ring mandrel appx 11-1/2" long tapered to accommodate sizes 1 through 15. *This tool has been coated in protective machine oil and will need to be cleaned before first use. www.jtv.com/product/hard-chromed-ring-mandrel-sizes-1-15/JST719?mcid=XSOjsyt Good Luck!

We are sold out of the unfortunately! if you do a quick Google search for Aquiflux Spray and Soft Silver Solder Paste, you will find reasonably priced options from a few reputable retailers!

Hi Lexi! This is from Susan: I do not know of a stainless solder that works with flame. Also stainless will “contaminate your pickle!" That's why we always use copper tongs. Hope this helps!

@@JewelSchool Thanks! For anyone else looking, I found a video that said a high activity flux is required, and one i see a lot of people using is called Stay Clean... not sure about an alternative to pickling. Thanks for the response!

Donna, here is a link to all of JTV's unfinished chain: www.jtv.com/category/product-type/unfinished-chain/_/N-1339568114?mcid=XSOjsyt Good Luck!!

@@JewelSchool is this commennt for me?

Hi! Here is a link to everything you will need! www.jtv.com/product/annealing-supply-kit-incl-soldering-board-torch-head-pickle-pot-copper-tongs-more/JMKIT590?mcid=XSOjsyt

This is a great question! Whatever you do, don't pour it down a drain or flush it down the toilet. It's toxic. Check your local guidelines and call your local waste management site on on how to dispose of it properly. Also, there should be instructions on or in the product packaging of how to dispose of it.

Hi Delaney! Spray flux is a self-pickling soldering compound that is used during the soldering process. It helps your soldering paste to flow and also keeps the joint clean as you heat it and solder. You soak your finished soldered piece in the pickle afterward to make sure you get it all the way clean.Then, you can polish it to a nice bright shine. We hope this helps!

Jonathan, hi! We are so excited that your are loving JTV's Jewel School! Setting gems in resin is a loaded question believe it or not. Honestly, we have never tried it , so we can't speak to the outcome. Plus, JTV offers the UV resin, which isn't great for larger items, but mostly for smaller components like the dried flowers. As for gemstones, no natural gemstone should be placed in an acid compound as it will affect the stones stability. Plus, most faceted gemstones that are cut in a way that reflects light back to your eye (sparkle) could be diminished when placed in a resin (no more sparkle). Now, all this to say that it doesn't mean you can't do it. You may want to start with your CZ's and see how it goes! They are very inexpensive and if it gets damaged, you can always replace it. Here is a link to some glass beads. You may want to start with something like this: www.jtv.com/category/gemstone-beads/glass/_/N-1651356274?mcid=XSOjsyt We hope this helps!

Hi Beverly! We are so glad you have ventured into the world of jewelry making. Welcome! Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% of silver and 7.5% of other metals, usually copper. Pure silver is too soft for use in jewelry making, so it is often used with other alloys. The industry standard for sterling silver is .925, so yes, you can solder with it! Here is a link to some gold colored wire: www.jtv.com/category/jewelry-making/wire/_/N-451581875#!/category/jewelry-making/wire/_/N-451581875+136152207?mcid=XSOjsyt It's probably a little more cost effective since you are a beginner. It has the same look. Good luck!

I am delighted to see this video,I make jewelry , I have been planning to make bangles and finger rings.How can I get heat resistant board and solder gun?

Hi! We have never worked with stainless steel on this channel, so were aren't equipped to answer these specific questions. However, you might do a quick Facebook search for groups of artists like yourself who do solder with this medium. They can be really helpful in finding the answers to your questions. Also, you may find a group in your area that you can meet with via Zoom or in public. Good luck and sorry we couldn't be of more help!

You can buy a pickle pot with citric acid pickle here: www.jtv.com/product/pickle-pot-with-citric-acid/JSTKIT0006?mcid=XSOjsyt

Hey Norma! Check out our newest soldering video that talks about pickle, flux (aqua flux) and soldering paste (that often already has flux in it)! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-p4KJCcZgAvU.html

Hi! Not currently as it is a very advanced soldering project, but hope to do one in the future!

She is using a half-hard wire.

If you're speaking of Aluminum craft wire, no - it's extremely complicated. You're best bet is to go with bare copper wire or sterling silver.

You certainly can.

also the liver of sulfur?

You can find a basic solder kit with solder, torch, tongs, pick and solder board here: www.jtv.com/product/soldering-basics-supply-kit-includes-torch-tweezers-pick-board-paste/JSYT15?mcid=XSOjsyt Here is the link to the Liver of Sulpher: www.jtv.com/product/liver-of-sulfur-gel-appx-2oz/ETW011?mcid=XSOjsyt Here is the link to a pickle pot and citric acid: www.jtv.com/product/pickle-pot-with-citric-acid/JSTKIT0006?mcid=XSOjsyt You can get "Aquiflux" and "copper tongs" from a certain online big box store that if you are a "prime member" will give you free shipping. ;-) You can solder bare copper wire: www.jtv.com/search/?Ntt=bare+copper+wire&type=products&N=4243964577&Ntk=All?mcid=XSOjsyt As for the gold and silver, just do an internet search for these terms, "Pure Gold Jewelry Wire" and "925 sterling silver wire for jewelry making" Hope this helps!

Here is the link to the Liver of Sulpher: www.jtv.com/product/liver-of-sulfur-gel-appx-2oz/ETW011?mcid=XSOjsyt

Hi Allan! Susan uses granite, which we know is heat resistant. From a quick search, it looks like ceramic, which is generally made of clay is also heat resistant, but to what degree we can't say. Don't take our word for it as we are not tile experts. Our best advice, do a test with one of the tile pieces outside in a safe area with your soldering torch (and safety glasses) and see what happens! You might also consult a tile specialist at your local hardware store. We are ALL for making beautiful jewelry making spaces. Let us know how it turns out and thanks for watching!

I always use tiles. They work fine

Yes you can!

Hi Nick! No Problem at all! Here is the answer straight from Susan: Hard has the highest silver content, however soft/medium have lower melt points so are easier to use. If you are having a hard time choosing just go for medium - Its like a “one size fits most” option!!

.999 silver can be fused by heating - no solder required

Hi! Pickle is an acid compound that when placed in a warming pickle pot with water, helps keep your jewelry clean after soldering. Check out this video! Soldering, All about Pickle: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-p4KJCcZgAvU.html

did you figure it out?

Thanks for the info!

It’s only because I find it difficult to watch when she’s saying sodder instead of solder, I say herbs not erbs too but I’m British so we use the queens English and she would pronounce the h too 😂

Do you pronounce the L? How very odd! Guess what. I believe Susan is American, I know I am, and I've been "soddering" for decades. If I went to the hardware store and said I wanted a sol-der-ing torch, I'd get some really funny looks. Might be referred to the nearest army barracks.

I just watched 4 RU-vid videos on 'how to pronounce solder'... "American English" is correctly pronounced 'sodder'!! Of course it's different if you're British.. Different countries .. diverse dialects!! :) I once had a Canadian boss.. it was fun to hear the distinction in the way "Canadians" pronounce words differently too!! Who was I to tell him he was pronouncing words wrong, simply because he was in the US?! I would just smile every time, and he would get a kick out of it and we'd chuckle about it-- I'd banter with him sometimes and say it 'their way' to make him smile!! :D

@@amazinggrace5839 yup.. I'm an 'erbs' kinda girl too- lol. Peaches and Erbs.. remember them?! Aww...

@Norma Gonzalez I Highly doubt it.. I think she was pretty clear as to the only metals that could be fired and take solder. Also pretty sure 'Colored' wire is not actual gold plated, right? I use lots of colored wire myself, but never use it with soldering, unless I wrap it in copper-tape foil, specifically to do textured soldering on stones. You can probably find the right wire on Amazon and EBay! ;) You might wanna check out 'The Basics of Soldering Jewelry 101' from Jewel School too! :D