Process for Making Finished or Semi-Finished Articles of Silver Alloy Comprising Copper and Germanium

摘要

A process is provided for making a finished or semi-finished article of silver alloy, said process comprising steps of: providing a silver alloy containing silver in an amount of at least 77 wt %, copper and an amount of germanium that is at least 0.5 wt % and is effective to reduce tarnishing and/or firestain; making or processing the finished or semi-finished article of the alloy by heating at least to an annealing temperature; and gradually air cooling the article from the temperature at which it is made or processed to develop a Vickers hardness of more than 70.