New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-22

mersed ip q second solution, taken out after
certain length Of time dried and filed again
as carefully as before. These alternate soaKlngs
and filings are repeated FIVE six times, or
until the method fails to yield another trace
OF rust The last fling and polishing leave
It in the proper condition, and it is then READY
for sale. unless II is to be mounted WIN eolu
or precious stones.
The putting-on Of gold hinges. gold rims or
similar trimmings which require soldering Is
another troublesome and uncertain bit OF Work.
for the gun metal rs difficult 10 solder properly,
and an article Is sometimes spoiled at this final
stage OF its manufacture. Reckoning up the
time required for making a plain, unjeweled
box OF other piece OF gun-metal work, one may
count il as at least two weeks Of steady labor
from the time the steel is first taken in hand
until the article Is completed.
THE HIGH PRICE EXPLAINED
Considering this and the fact that only the
most expert workmanship will suffice, It is not
hard TO understand why the cost OF gun metal
jewelry Is high even though the actual ma
terIaI from which It is made IS nothing more
nor less than inexpensive steel II took Mr. Pro
ycnzano some time, even after he had dtscoV-
cred the process to BE able to turn out articles
from his factory, because he had to teach his
workuen one by one, how 10 do what was
required Of them. 1t Is scarcely necessary to
say that he did not teach them the composition
OF the acid solutions That knowledge he keeps
TO himself. and in consequence is Obliged 10
make these preparations personally. 1t Is the
only way In which he can be sure that other
manufacturers do not profit by his work Guh-
metal articles partly made are frequently
brought to him by persons VINO are trying 10
find out how to give them the proper finish MT.
Proyenzano takes ouch things and completes
them for their owners at q certain price but
does not allow his visitors 10 learn his methods.
it's an unfortunate quality Of gun metal that
II much exposed to dampness II Will rust after
a time despite the care with which It Is made.
This rust can be removed II the article Is thick
enough to stand the necessary filing down and
Mr. Provenzano receives many rusted pieces
from retail dealers These he rehnishes 80 that
they appear they did when new.
In speaking OF the imported gun metal goods
and comparing them with those made here,
both MI ProYenzano and prominent Jewelry
dealer said that the advantage In quality was.
In general greatly In favor OF the domestic
articles The foreign pieces from Fran ap-
pear 70 be made much as they are here and are
Of good workmanship, but those brought from
other European countries are usually inferior.
This Is shown by the fact that the finish wears
off after a time thus proving that it Is put on
as a sort OF lacquer. The mountings are also
cheap gold plate being used instead Of solid
gold, and similar devices to save )st being
observable OF course, these goods can be sold
far more cheaply than the more carefully made
domestic pieces, and az they look fairly we'll to
an inexperienced eye they rather injure the
market for domestic N~''oies. What puzzles
the jewellers here. however. is that even really
good imported gun metal can still. despite the
duty. be sold at lower prices than those 'or
which it can yet be made here. 1t IL supposed
that European manufacturers have found by ex-