Fusing

Fusing welds two metals of the same alloy together through the use of heat alone. A sheet of metal with approximately the same thickness as the diameter of the granules is necessary to get an even heat distribution. Once the granules are positioned using a diluted flux and a fine paint brush, the whole thing is fired in an oven with a reducing atmosphere. At the point of reaching a melting temperature the granules and sheet metal fuse together. The great advantage of this method is that no flux or solder remains. This is an advanced goldsmithing technique that requires great skill and practice.

This was the technique used by the Etruscans in the first millennium B.C. Fusing was unknown to the Castellani and his Italian contemporaries.

A more modern way to accomplish fusing is through the use of an electric current. This is referred to as fusion-welding. The electric current is applied to each granule, passing through the granule to the base, generating enough heat to fuse the granules to the object. The advantage of this method is that one can use it on finished jewelry items, even those already stone set. The disadvantage lies in the fact that the granules may not snuggle as tightly together as the design requires or that the current flow will be drawn to the neighboring granules, resulting in looser joins.

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Fusing

Fusing welds two metals of the same alloy together through the use of heat alone. A sheet of metal with approximately the same thickness as the diameter of the granules is necessary to get an even heat distribution. Once the granules are positioned using a diluted flux and a fine paint brush, the whole thing is fired in an oven with a reducing atmosphere. At the point of reaching a melting temperature the granules and sheet metal fuse together. The great advantage of this method is that no flux or solder remains. This is an advanced goldsmithing technique that requires great skill and practice.

This was the technique used by the Etruscans in the first millennium B.C. Fusing was unknown to the Castellani and his Italian contemporaries.

A more modern way to accomplish fusing is through the use of an electric current. This is referred to as fusion-welding. The electric current is applied to each granule, passing through the granule to the base, generating enough heat to fuse the granules to the object. The advantage of this method is that one can use it on finished jewelry items, even those already stone set. The disadvantage lies in the fact that the granules may not snuggle as tightly together as the design requires or that the current flow will be drawn to the neighboring granules, resulting in looser joins.