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WHAT I DIDN'T KNOW about ELECTRUM

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    Thanks to Rudolph Molnar emailing me about the use of Electrum in his studio, I went on a further search to learn about a Metal Alloy I had never heard about in all my years of metalsmithing. Just goes to show, "I don't know EVERYTHING!!

     

    ELECTRUM

    THIS ALLOY OF GOLD IS NATURALLY FOUND IN GOLD AND SILVER DEPOSITS WITH A HIGH SILVER CONTENT.

    IT IS FOUND IN PLACES LIKE NORTH & SOUTH AMERICAN, THE MIDDLE EAST & NEW ZEALAND.

    IT VARIES FROM YELLOWISH-WHITE TO PALE YELLOW DEPENDING ON THE AMOUNT OF SILVER PRESENT.

    ELECTRUM CAN BE ENAMELED

     

    Au,Ag

     

     

    This gold-silver alloy has a long history of being used by humans and found naturally.

     It was used for different purposes since third millennium BC. 

    However, the variation in the gold and silver contents of this alloy made it difficult to decide the value of each coin. Due to this reason, foreign trading of that time was seriously hampered. In order to solve this problem, pure silver coins were introduced in 570 BC. But the new silver coins did not entirely replace the Electrum ones as the later was much more valuable than the former for their gold content. Around 350 BC, the Electrum coins went out of use.

     

     

    The uses of this alloy were similar to gold. In fact, It was more preferred than gold for coinage for its better hardness and durability. Another reason for the preference was that the techniques of refining gold were not very prevalent at that time.

     

    This metal was used for coating the exteriors of pyramidions (the uppermost piece of an Egyptian pyramid). Electrum was also used for making coins and drinking vessels in ancient times. Thrones, chariots, statues, amulets and jewelry were also made using this alloy.

     

    Electrum coins are considered to be valuable collectables. These coins are available at antique stores and their prices vary according to their composition. Other objects like jewelry, furniture and dinnerware made from this metal are also regarded as antique pieces.

     

    Today, Electrum alloy is a mix of 40%/60% - gold/Silver - or 60%/40% silver/Gold.  It is not excessively hard - and is normally white in color.

     

     

2 comments
  • Leszek Kralka likes this
  • Leszek Kralka
    Leszek Kralka Można na nim położyć emalię ?
    October 24, 2015 - Report
  • Rudolf Molnar
    Rudolf Molnar Next week I will try enamel on electrum- 40%Au / 60% Ag, and will post the results. Problem is the Assay office don´t know how to hallmark electrum,probably like 9ct gold for 40/60%.
    October 24, 2015 - Report