Here is an annealing tip from @metalsmithsinflorence - “This demo is with 18k yellow gold. When you have wire or a long strip of sheet to anneal, you can make more efficient use of the heat from your torch.

With a bushy flame, angle your torch at a 45 degree angle to your metal, raise the heat to the dull red that indicates you’re at annealing temp and push the heat along the metal (instead of holding it perpendicular over the metal waving it back and forth which loses a lot of heat off the sides).

Also, the disappearing Sharpie trick is a myth. The annealing temperature is a little higher than that.

We always hear a lot of “a-ha’s” from our students at Metalsmiths in Florence when Giovanni demonstarates this tip!” Thank you Monica! I can confirm the sharpie trick which I have previously shared isn’t quite to temperature. Monica and I agree flux is a good idea when annealing silver to help prevent firestain. I am so excited to be going to Florence in October ❤️ Check out @metalsmithsinflorence if you want to visit Italy and work with a master goldsmith! #goldsmith #annealingtips #annealinggold #annealing18k #metalsmithtips