Jewelry store debacle...

[SteveR]

Take it back to him with another cross and show him what the size wire is. Tell him to snip the crap off of it and replace it with the correct size. Any silversmith can order the correct diameter wire if he says he can't he is lying to you.
I am a silversmith and know what I am talking about.

[Walkwolf]

I have a WWII EKII with a similar problem, but I had both original large
and small rings. The guy used low heat so he would not burn off any
of the core, which was good. When I got it back, the outer surfaces
of the cross (not the core) were polished bright on the front and
back because he said it had discoloured and turned black at the
top where heat was applied, and now it all looks even - Lol.

Besides using the correct wire diameter, yours needs to have
a more 'open' ring soldered to both sides of the frame.
Your guy mounted it on the extreme edge..........


Below is my WWI EKII with no rings:

[unimarc]

Hi,

The correct way of making the silver black is to use "Liver of sulphur" .
The right size and gauge of silver wire should be no problem at all, since a professional goldsmith would have special irons with any size holes, that the silver wire is "drawn" trough to make it thinner or in another shape, depending on the iron used !
Secondly, it is impossible to solder silver, without damaging the patina !

Mfg
Marc

Ps I am an educated goldsmith, working as such since 1983. In that period I have among other things been involved in the production and repair work on the Royal Danish knights crosses !!