Solder Wire
Discover the essential component for your jewellery creations with our specialized solder wire selection. Perfect for artisans and jewellers alike, our solder wire is meticulously crafted to ensure strong, seamless joins. Choose from the warm sheen of 9ct yellow gold, the rich hue of 14ct yellow gold, the timeless lustre of sterling silver, or the sophisticated elegance of Argentium silver.
Solder Wire for Precision Bonds
At Ore Metals, we understand that the right solder wire is crucial for flawless jewellery making. Our collection features premium solder wires in sterling silver, Argentium silver, 9ct gold, and 14ct gold, each engineered to provide the precise melting points necessary for both delicate and substantial joins. Whether you’re working on intricate heirloom pieces or bold contemporary designs, our solder wires deliver the reliability and control you need to perfect your craft.
Versatile Thicknesses for Every Jewellery Project
Our solder wires are available in versatile thicknesses of 0.5mm and 1.0mm, catering to a wide range of jewellery making needs. The 0.5mm thickness is ideal for detailed, delicate work, allowing for fine control and precision. For more substantial joins, the 1.0mm thickness provides the strength and stability required to secure larger components without compromising the integrity of your design.
Tailored Flow Temperatures for Optimal Results
Our range of solder wires offers a variety of flow temperatures, from easy to hard, ensuring you have the perfect option for every project. The 14ct gold solder wire is specially formulated with an easy or medium flow temperature, making it perfect for delicate tasks that require a lower to mid range melting point. In contrast, our sterling silver and Argentium silver options range from extra easy to extra hard, accommodating everything from simple repairs to complex fabrications.
Commitment to Ethical Jewellery Making
We are proud to offer solder wires that align with ethical and sustainable practices. Our products include options made from recycled metals, supporting eco-conscious jewellery making without sacrificing quality. By choosing our solder wires, you’re not only enhancing your craftsmanship but also contributing to a more sustainable jewellery industry.
Engineered for Excellence in Every Design
Each of our solder wires is meticulously engineered to ensure precise melting points and reliable performance. Whether you are crafting delicate filigree, setting gemstones, or constructing robust settings, our solder wires are designed to meet the highest standards of quality and consistency, making them an essential component in any jeweller's toolkit.
Enhance Your Craft with Ore Metals
At Ore Metals, we are committed to providing jewellers with the finest materials to bring their designs to life. Our solder wires stand as a testament to this commitment, offering the versatility, precision, and quality needed to achieve professional results in every piece you create. Explore our collection today to find the perfect solder wire for your next jewellery project.
Frequently Asked Questions
The right flow temperature for your solder wire depends on the specific requirements of your jewellery piece.
For tasks requiring delicate bonding without affecting surrounding elements, an easy or extra easy solder is ideal. Medium solder is best for general-purpose joins, and hard or extra hard solder is perfect for joints that form the base of your piece or are subject to high temperatures during further assembly stages.
Solder wire is specifically designed to join metal components together. It is typically composed of a metal alloy that has a lower melting point than the pieces being joined. For instance, solder wire is used to seamlessly connect segments of a jewellery piece without melting the jewellery's base elements. These solders come in different flow temperatures like easy, medium, and hard, allowing jewellers to choose the appropriate melting point for their project to ensure a secure bond without compromising the integrity of the design.
On the other hand, round wire is a foundational jewellery component used to create structures, shapes, and decorative elements. It is not meant to melt; rather, it retains its form, providing strength and versatility to jewellery creations. Round wire is manipulated through bending, wrapping, and coiling to form various jewellery parts such as links, clasps, and earring hooks, and can even be used to set stones or create intricate wire-wrapped designs.
Easy, medium, and hard solder wire differ in their melting temperatures and applications. Easy solder wire melts at the lowest temperature, ideal for delicate tasks or as a first step in sequential soldering. Medium solder wire has a higher melting point, suitable for general use. Hard solder wire melts at the highest temperature, used for final joins or where strength and durability are critical, particularly in pieces requiring multiple soldering stages.
Choose the solder wire thickness based on the precision required for your project. For intricate, delicate work, a 0.5mm solder wire offers better control and detail. For larger, more robust joins, a 1.0mm solder wire provides the necessary strength and stability.
Sterling silver solder wire is traditional and widely used, offering durability and ease of use and best suited for sterling silver designs. Argentium silver solder wire has the added benefit of being more tarnish-resistant and has a lower melting point, which makes it easier to work with, especially for Argentium jewellery. Each solder will also match the colour of their receptive alloy, allowing for seamless joins.
Yes, you can use recycled metals with solder wire. Many jewellers prefer recycled metals for their eco-friendly attributes, and they work just as well with standard soldering techniques, providing the same strength and quality as non-recycled metals.
For delicate jewellery work, a fine 0.5mm solder wire with an easy flow temperature is ideal. This wire allows for precise control over the soldering process, making it easier to join small components without risking damage to the surrounding areas.
Using recycled solder wire is beneficial for reducing environmental impact, as it supports the circular economy by reusing existing metals. Additionally, it appeals to eco-conscious consumers who prioritise sustainable and ethical jewellery.
The flow temperature of solder wire determines how easily it melts and flows into the joints. Easy-flow solder melts at a lower temperature, making it suitable for delicate work, while medium and hard-flow solders require higher temperatures and are better for more substantial joins.
To use 14ct gold solder wire, first, prepare your metal by cleaning and fluxing the joints. Apply the solder wire to the heated joint, allowing it to flow smoothly. 14ct gold solder wire is ideal for creating strong, seamless joins in solid 14ct gold jewellery.
The melting point of 14ct gold solder wire typically ranges between 710°C and 750°C, depending on whether it’s an easy, medium, or hard flow type. This lower melting point is tailored to work well with 14ct gold without damaging the surrounding material.
While you can use the same solder wire for different metals, it’s best to match the solder wire to the metal type for the best results. For instance, silver solder wire is ideal for silver projects, and gold solder wire should be used with gold for a seamless finish.
To prevent solder wire from spreading, apply flux only to the areas where you want the solder to flow. Control the heat carefully to avoid overheating the solder, and use a small amount of solder wire to minimise excess flow.
Essential tools for soldering with solder wire include a soldering torch, flux, solder pick, tweezers, and a jeweller’s block or soldering pad. Additionally, safety equipment such as goggles and a ventilation system is crucial for a safe working environment.
Clean jewellery with a mild soap solution and a soft brush. After cleaning, polish the piece with a soft cloth to restore its shine. Avoid harsh chemicals that could damage the solder joints or the metal.
Ethical solder wire, often made from recycled or responsibly sourced metals, reduces the demand for new mining activities, lowering the environmental impact. It supports sustainable practices in the jewellery industry and appeals to consumers who value eco-friendly products.
To solder small components with fine solder wire, use a small flame and apply flux to the joint. Heat the area gently and introduce the fine solder wire to the joint, allowing it to flow smoothly into the connection without overheating the surrounding areas.
Store unused solder wire in a cool, dry place, away from moisture and direct sunlight. Keeping it in a sealed plastic bag or airtight container will prevent oxidation and keep the wire clean and ready for future use.
No, solder wire is not suitable for structural elements in jewellery. Solder wire is specifically designed with properties that alter its melting temperature, making it ideal for joining pieces but not for providing structural strength. Jewellery wire, on the other hand, is manufactured with the necessary strength and durability required for structural and decorative components, ensuring the integrity of the piece.
To solder rings and circular jewellery pieces, shape the ring to size and ensure the ends meet precisely. Apply flux to the joint and use a small amount of solder wire. Heat the joint evenly until the solder flows and the ends fuse seamlessly.
Beginners should start with easy-flow solder wire, which melts at a lower temperature and is easier to control. A 0.5mm thickness is ideal for learning basic soldering techniques, allowing beginners to gain confidence in joining small components.
Avoid overheating by using a lower temperature setting on your torch and applying heat evenly. Move the flame in a circular motion around the joint to distribute the heat, and keep a close eye on the solder wire to ensure it flows without overheating the metal.
To repair a broken solder joint, clean the joint thoroughly and reapply flux. Heat the area and add a small amount of solder wire to the joint, allowing it to flow and rejoin the broken parts securely. Cool the piece slowly to avoid stress fractures.
Yes, small amounts of solder wire can be reused for further soldering. Additionally, leftover or contaminated pieces of solder wire can be collected and refined back into their base elements, allowing them to be repurposed in the manufacturing process.
To achieve a professional finish, use the right amount of solder wire and apply it precisely. After soldering, clean the piece with a pickle solution to remove oxidation, then polish it with a soft cloth or tumbler to bring out the shine.
When soldering with recycled metals, ensure the metal is clean and free from unsuitable contaminants. Use a suitable flux to promote proper flow of the solder wire, and choose a solder type that matches the metal’s melting point to avoid overheating.
Soldering gold and silver together requires using a solder wire that is compatible with both metals, such as medium or hard flow silver solder, or an easy gold solder. Apply flux to the joint, heat it carefully to avoid melting the lower-melting-point metal, and allow the solder to flow evenly.
Common mistakes include using too much heat, applying too much solder, or not cleaning the metal properly before soldering. To avoid these, use a lower heat setting, apply just enough solder wire to cover the joint, and ensure the metal is clean and fluxed.
Control the flow of solder wire by applying flux only to the areas where solder is needed and heating the metal evenly. Use a solder pick to guide the solder wire into the joint, ensuring it flows precisely where required.
Yes, solder wire can be used in mixed-media jewellery designs. When combining different materials, ensure that the solder wire is compatible with the metals being joined and that the melting points are appropriate for the other materials in the design.
Solder wire is a thin, flexible wire used for precise soldering, ideal for small joints and detailed work. Solder sheet, on the other hand, is a flat sheet of solder that can be cut into custom shapes and is often used for larger areas or specific applications.
Solder paste is a mixture of powdered solder and flux that can be applied directly to a joint. Solder paste is often used for small or complex areas where precise application is needed. Solder wire is a thin, flexible wire used for precise soldering, ideal for small joints and detailed work.
To create custom designs with solder wire, use it to join different components, add decorative elements, or reinforce structural areas.
Yes, solder wire can be used to repair antique jewellery, but it’s important to use a solder that matches the original metal and has a compatible flow temperature. Careful attention is needed to preserve the integrity and value of the antique piece.
To test the quality of solder wire, check its melting point to ensure it matches the specifications. You can also perform a test solder on a scrap piece of metal to observe how smoothly the solder flows and whether it forms a strong joint without issues like excessive oxidation or pitting.
Ethical solder wire can be purchased from suppliers like Ore Metals who specialise in recycled metals and sustainable jewellery-making supplies. Look for statements from suppliers that confirm their commitment to ethical sourcing and environmentally friendly practices.