Whats the difference between “hard” and “soft” solder?
How do I use the silver solder listed in the Rings & Things catalog? What kind of solder is used to assemble costume jewelry? The terms “soft” solder and “hard” solder are confusing depending on the context in which they are used. Much costume jewelry is held together with “soft” solder — a tin based low melting temperature solder, applied using an electric soldering iron. This is similar to the rosin core tin/lead solder used for electronics and the acid core tin/lead solder used by plumbers. Silver and gold jewelry is assembled using “hard” solders and a torch — usually oxy/propane or oxy/acetylene. “Hard” solders are alloys of silver or gold that melt at slightly lower temperatures than sterling silver or the various karat alloys of gold. The confusion arises because the lowest temperature “hard” solder is sometimes called “soft” solder. A better term might be “easy” for the lowest temperature hard solder. “Hard” solder typically comes in “easy,” “medium” and “hard” grades. A comple
