Argentium sterling silver

Argentium silver (patented in 1998)^[1] is a brand of modern tarnish-resistant silver alloys, containing either 93.5%, 94% or 96% silver. Argentium alloys replace some of the copper in the traditional sterling silver (92.5% silver + 7.5% copper) with the metalloid germanium.^[a][1][2] Argentium 935, Argentium 940 and Argentium 960 alloys exceed the standard required for hallmarking as sterling silver, and Argentium 960 silver meets the standard for hallmarking as Britannia silver (95.84% silver).

Origins and description

Argentium silver is the result of research at the Art and Design Research Institute (ADRI), School of Art & Design, Middlesex University, by Peter Johns and colleagues. The project began in 1990 with research on the effects of germanium additions to silver alloys. Germanium was discovered to impart the following properties to sterling silver:^[3]

• firescale elimination
• high tarnish resistance
• precipitation hardening and simple heat-hardening properties
• increased ductility
• increased thermal and electrical resistance^[b]
• environmental advantages^[c]

Many of these properties significantly affect the traditional methods of working silver. For instance the absence of firescale eliminates tedious and time-consuming steps required by the silver worker using traditional sterling silver. It also eliminates the need for plating the final product which is often done on manufactured items because of the problems introduced by firescale. Tarnish resistance is of significant importance to both silver workers and the wearer of silver jewellery.

Argentium silver was patented^[1] and is trademarked by Argentium Silver Company, UK.

Physical properties

Refractory temperatures

Silver alloy	Solidus melting  temperature		Liquidus flow point  temperature
		°C	°F	°C	°F
traditional sterling silver	802 °C	1475 °F	899 °C	1650 °F
argentium 940	860 °C	1580 °F	895 °C	1643 °F
argentium 960	890 °C	1634 °F	920 °C	1688 °F

Footnotes

1. Approximately 1% of the Argentium alloy total weight is germanium; the patent^[1] refers to possible trace amounts of boron, no more than 20 ppm.
2. Increased resistance improves alloys' suitability for welding and laser forming.
3. The "environmental" advantages result from eliminating the need for harsh chemicals involved in removing or plating over firescale.