Linda Connelly
Items that are to be enamelled present particular challenges when designing a piece. The following should be considered:-
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Simple 'clean' design. This makes it easier to remove firestain on silver and stray grains of enamel.
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Solder should not come into contact with enamel. It will show as a shadow under transparent enamel and can cause bubbles, pits and other enamelling horrors.
This is a different alloy from sterling or fine silver - the two we are most accustomed to using. It is a hardenable silver alloy containing more than 99% silver with small quantities of magnesium and nickel. Because it contains no copper, it does not develop fire stain. It can be used for all types of silver work and enamelling and is hallmarked as Britannia Silver.