Hello, I’m hoping for some advice on a pendant I’m making

[bopam]

Hey, I’ve been trying to find advice and information about some questions I have but have found not much online so I thought I’d try asking some real artisans practiced in the craft. I’m making a piece for my girlfriend but this is the first time I’ve used wood, metal, and a gemstone together, as well as the first time I’ve done jewellery rather than just sculpture or carving.

I’m making a scarab pendant with african blackwood, silver wire, and a star garnet. However, I have no clue what to use to finish or coat it and still keep the subtle wood grains and the star refraction clear while making it skin safe and wearable. Knowing her she’ll probably want to wear it everyday but will do minimal upkeep. I’ve heard something about wood tarnishing silver? Furthermore i’m not sure what sort of adhesive to use to bond wood to gem and wood to metal. Lastly, I was looking at materials and am not 100% on the pros and cons of sterling vs fine silver.

The plan is to carve it out of wood then use the gem for the head and the wire to set into the indentations demarking the divide between the thorax and the abdomen, the indentation between the wing covers on the abdomen, and a smaller gauge for the lines on the wing covers. I was thinking about also between the head and thorax and/or surrounding the head but am not sure if that’s the right move.

I would really appreciate any recommendations or advice anyone would be willing to give.

[caeterle]

I don't know of anyone here who has worked with wood and silver. Have you already asked on Ganoksin, you may have better chances there? Searching for "wood and silver" has got a few hits, maybe some of the threads will help you.

What I know from a friend who was a goldsmith and worked a lot with wood (unfortunately I can't forward your question to him as he has passed since), is that wood can tarnish silver, but we never talked about coatings or adhesives.

Fine silver - the purest and softest silver, some people it almost doesn't tarnish, but I have worked with fine silver wire and some of it has tarnished more easily and more quickly, no idea why as it was from the same spool
Sterling silver - harder than fine silver and tarnishes more quickly because of the copper content
Argentium silver - harder and purer than sterling silver, but also more expensive.
I know some people who swear on argentium to be highly tarnish resistant, almost tarnish-proof, but I also found a discussion thread on this on Ganoksin that shows that people still have very different opinions on their favorite silver. Again, I didn't search thoroughly, so there is probably more.

[brad]

Wood to Metal: I used to glue and pin many knife handles onto the tangs of knives. I tried a few others but ended up using two-part epoxy. You can buy the twin tube epoxy dispenser that squeezes the equal amount of both parts, with one squeeze. Mix very well and lightly apply. You probably will not need the extra strength stuff or high heat tolerance blends. Since then, the newer Gorilla glue that is clear and does not expand is pretty good stuff as well, it is a one-part glue. Brad

[brad]

You could use fine/.999 silver to avoid the tarnishing tendency of sterling/.925 silver. Brad