Ruby Aurumite

We debuted our newest Aurumite® flute, Ruby Aurumite, at the August 2014 NFA Convention and realized that we hadn't written about it here on the Flute Builder blog, so we wanted to share more about it!

Since we've taken the Ruby Aurumite to shows and flute fairs across the country, it has certainly gotten a lot of attention and a great response from those who have tried it.  Flutists have found Ruby Aurumite to be a flute that is very responsive and easy to play.  One of the questions we hear quite a bit is, "So, what's different about the Ruby Aurumite?"

Aside from the ruby in the crown, there are a couple of differences between Ruby Aurumite and the other two Aurumite flutes -- Aurumite 9k Conservatory, and the Aurumite 14k Custom.  The Aurumite 9k Conservatory has 9k rose gold on the outside and silver on the inside.  Ruby Aurumite is similar in that the gold is on the outside, but it is 14k rose gold.  Our Director of Service and Quality, Rebecca Eckles, says that she finds Ruby Aurumite to have a darker sound than the Aurumite 9k Conservatory.  Ruby Aurumite flutes also have soldered tone holes, and the Aurumite 9k Conservatory has drawn tone holes.  So, Rebecca feels that Ruby's soldered tone holes give it more depth of sound.  She agrees with what our customers have found in terms of response -- Ruby is definitely responsive right off the bat and very easy to play.  In comparison with the Aurumite 14k Custom, the Ruby Aurumite is the "opposite" configuration.  Aurumite 14k Custom flutes have silver on the outside and 14k rose gold on the inside, whereas the Ruby Aurumite is the reverse.

Lindsey McChord, one of our flute finishers who also cuts headjoints, shared her thoughts on the Ruby Aurumite.  Lindsey works mostly with Ruby Aurumite when she is cutting headjoints.  She does not always have a complete Ruby set-up, which actually gives her a chance to see how Ruby Aurumite flutes respond and sound with headjoints of different materials.  In general, Lindsey feels that the Ruby Aurumite is a little warmer and darker that Aurumite 14k.  In terms of working with Ruby Aurumite headjoints, she tells us they are more like working with gold.  When she has tested the silver headjoints with a Ruby Aurumite flute, she feels that the silver headjoint brings Ruby back to the brighter side, closer to the Aurumite 14k.

Rebecca's perspective is that Ruby is darker than Aurumite 9k but not as dark as the Aurumite 14k.  Lindsey feels the Ruby Aurumite is darker and warmer than an Aurumite 14k.  So, as you can see, differences in sound are really quite subjective.  From a technical perspective, the type of tone holes on a Ruby Aurumite is the same as an Aurumite 14k (soldered) but different from the Aurumite 9k (drawn).  So, if you have the chance to try a Ruby Aurumite, see what you think -- there is definitely no right or wrong answer!

Aurumite® Patented by Powell

Summer 1991 issue of the Powell Newsletter

With the unveiling of our Ruby Aurumite® Custom flute this week at the 2014 NFA Convention, we thought it might be a good time to learn more about Aurumite and its history with Powell.  We opened the archives and found that the Verne Q. Powell Flutes Newsletter from the summer of 1991 highlighted Aurumite, describing its formation and noting its patent date and number.  The newsletter states:

On October 9, 1990, U.S. Patent 4,962,007 was assigned to Verne Q. Powell Flutes for "Flute tubing of laminated metal including a bonded layer of precious metal alloy."  This technology was invented and developed at Powell.  The issuance of the patent is recognition of the originality of this technical conception.  It also means that no other flute or headjoint maker can use this technology without obtaining a license from Powell.  To date, no licenses have been issued.

If you are wondering how Aurumite was developed -- and how it is formed -- the newsletter provides more details on the history and process:

For the past four years, Powell has been using a proprietary fusion technology to create unique combinations of precious metal flute tubes.  The idea behind this invention was that the inside layer of metal made more difference in the sound than the outside layer.  The challenge, therefore, was to find a way of concentrating expensive precious metals like gold or platinum on the inside of a sterling silver tube.

Powell's concept was to put a flute tube of one precious metal inside another.  The inner "tube" would be made of a relatively dense and expensive precious metal compared to the other tube.  The patented process accomplishes this by metallurgically bonding sterling silver and 14k gold to each other while each is still in sheet (or flat) form.  The resulting laminated sheet is then cupped and drawn into flute tubing just like most other flute tubes are made.  

The version of this fusion technology which has become most popular over the past four years is Aurumite™ I.  In this form, the inner layer of the tube is Powell's regular 14k gold alloy, and the outer layer is comprised of sterling silver.  Flutists who own Aurumite I flutes or headjoints like the excellent projection of this material combined with a warmth and sweetness normally associated with gold.

Unlike plated flute metals, Powell's Aurumite is work hardened.  It can be filed and polished in the same way as normal flute tubing.  Not only is Aurumite metal hard compared to a plated flute, but the gold layer is approximately 35 times thicker than normal plating.

The "Aurumite I" mentioned in the newsletter excerpt is Powell's current "Aurumite 14k," which is sterling silver on the outside and 14k gold on the inside.  Ruby Aurumite, the newest member of the Aurumite family, is 14k gold on the outside and silver on the inside.  For more information on the new Ruby Aurumite flutes, click here to visit the Ruby Aurumite page on the Powell website.

Powell Aurumite 14k Custom Flute

Powell Ruby Aurumite Custom Flute