Silver melting in a workshop

Pure silver melts at 961°C (liquidus temperature). Its alloys, more common in workshops, melt at slightly lower temperatures: 925 silver at about 893°C, 800 silver at 841°C.

Equipment required: Graphite crucible (resistance >1200°C), oxy-propane torch or induction furnace, shade 5 safety glasses, resistant gloves. An optical thermometer or thermocouple is recommended for large quantities.

Borax is indispensable: Without flux, silver oxidizes quickly on the surface (formation of oxidized copper that separates into 'slag'). Add 3–5g of borax per 100g of alloy before melting. It vitrifies impurities and protects the shiny metal.

Typical Silver Melting Loss: 1 to 3% depending on copper content and crucible quality. 800 silver (20% copper) generates more slag than 925 due to copper oxidation. Plan for 2–2.5% loss in your price calculations.

Pouring: Silver is very fluid at its melting temperature — more so than gold. Pre-heat your ingot mold to 100–150°C to avoid solidification micro-cracks. Pour slowly and continuously. Let cool in open air (not cold water, which would embrittle the crystal structure).