Argentium silver is a sterling silver alloy which modifies the traditional alloy (92.5% silver + 7.5% copper) by replacing some of the copper with metalloid germanium. Because it still contains at least 92.5% silver, it is still referred to as Sterling Silver. Adding germanium gives this metal amazing anti-tarnish properties. Use Argentium wire to fabricate earwires, components and findings. With Silver-Prep you can prepare sterling silver to fire directly in place with metal clay. Heat Hardening Sterling Silver: Place items in kiln to be hardened. Fast ramp to 750F and hold for 30 minutes. Remove and quench if possible. Quenching quickly realigns the crystal structure to result in additional hardness. Do not quench any metal containing stones, glass or other non-metallic embedded items. If you are ordering more than 1 foot and would like a continuous length, please call customer service or simply specify any requirements in the order notes.