 |
At Andrew Nyce Designs, I do not just make rings. I explore the materials and techniques that are used to make rings.
Research has been a life-long pursuit of mine. It is only natural that I would perform research in conjunction with the work that I do making rings. |
|
|
 |
|
|
In collaboration with Hoover and Strong and Jim Binnion Metal Arts, I participated in a study on bonding difficult-to-bond combinations of precious metal alloys used in making Mokume Gane. This work was a continuation of the paper presented at the 2005 Santa Fe Symposium on the development of diffusion bonding Mokume Gane billets using a thermal expansion mismatch torque plate system (TEMPT).
This new study investigated the diffusion reactions between alloy combinations with processing difficulties that are known to contemporary Mokume Gane artists. Physical and mechanical data were determined when Platinum and Palladium alloys were diffusion bonded to karat Gold alloys. Specifications will be determined to optimize process routes for Mokume Gane jewelers; these include: minimizing process failures and maximizing billet yields through heat treatment, forging and rolling, in order to provide stock dimensions suitable for making jewelry.
I am using the results of this study to make Platinum and Gold alloy Mokume as well as Palladium, Platinum-enhanced sterling, and Gold alloy Mokume.
Winner of 2007 Santa Fe Symposium Collaborative Research Award
“In recognition of published research – done in collaboration between manufacturing jeweler and supplier – that uses good scientific principles to result in useful information that can be applied for the greater good of the industry.” |
|
|
In 2006, in collaboration with Hoover and Strong and Goldworks Jewelry Art Studio, I worked on a study to determine whether the so-called were, in fact, as tarnish-resistant as claimed by the manufacturer.
These new alloys have seemed to hold the promise of improved tarnish resistance and mechanical properties. However, there was limited quantitative information using objectively-designed testing to compare these alloys with each other or, for that matter, with traditional sterling silver. Against this backdrop, we designed a study to attempt to provide this comparative information to potential manufacturers and consumers.
One of the major findings of the study was that, in most cases, the traditional sterling alloy performed as well, or better, than the tarnish-resistant sterling alloys.
As a result of this study, we recommended the establishment of a standardized test for tarnish resistance whereby manufacturers making claims of tarnish-resistance could relate their material performance to this test. We assert that this standardized test should reflect real world conditions such as long-term display and human body reaction.
The results of the study were presented at the Santa Fe Symposium on jewelry manufacturing technology in September 2006. |
|
|
In 2005, in collaboration with Stewart Grice of Hoover and Strong, I began a study to determine whether Karat gold alloys could be bonded to silver and to other gold alloys by diffusion bonding.
In the process, paper thin sheets of karat gold are diffusion bonded to the other alloys using heat from a hot plate and pressure applied by specialized burnishing tools.
Our research demonstrated for the first time that it is possible to bond Karat gold alloys in the same way that 24 Karat gold is bonded to silver (a process known as Keum Boo). |
|
|
In 2004 and 2005, in collaboration with Gary Dawson, a master goldsmith, I worked on a research project to develop studio-friendly techniques for determining the hardness and abrasive resistance of precipitation-hardened gold and silver jewelry alloys.
Our objective was to develop a simple procedure that could be used to test the hardness of precious metal alloys that are used in jewelry making.
The test we developed is currently being used in a study involving tumble hardening of precious metals as well as in a study aimed at determining optimum annealing temperatures and times for precious metal alloys used in making Mokume Gane.
I have incorporated the results from this study into the jewelry-making process for my Mokume Gane rings.
The results of this work were presented at the Santa Fe Symposium on jewelry manufacturing technology in May 2005. |
|
|
In 2004 and 2005, in collaboration with Stewart Grice of Hoover and Strong and Jim Binnion Metal Arts, I participated in a research project to develop innovative equipment and associated processing techniques for making Mokume Gane billets.
The resulting equipment and process increased Mokume Gane billet bond strength, productivity, and yield. The study demonstrated that a brittle ordered phase caused de-lamination of billets; quenching from 1200°F eliminated the problem. In addition, it was determined that too much pressure with temperature during the bonding cycle increased the amount of brittle phase generated.
The results of this work were presented at the Santa Fe Symposium by Jim Binnion in May of 2005. |
|
|
In 2003 and 2004, in collaboration with Stewart Grice of Hoover and Strong, I conducted research on the reticulation of gold and silver alloys.
The results of this work make it possible to obtain higher yields of reticulated silver in a variety of reticulated surface topography that was not easily obtainable prior to this work.
As a result of this study, Hoover and Strong now offer reticulated silver in several convenient forms.
The results of this work were presented by Stewart Grice at the Santa Fe Symposium on jewelry manufacturing technology in May 2004; published in Lapidary Journal in 2002 and in 2004; and presented by me as a workshop at the Kraftwerks Jewelry Manufacturing Symposium in August 2004.
Winner of the 2005 Santa Fe Symposium Collaborative Research Award
"In recognition of published research – done in collaboration between manufacturing jeweler and supplier – that uses good scientific principles to result in useful information that can be applied for the greater good of the industry." |
Reticulated Gold and Silver Rings |
|
