What are sterling silver findings?
Sterling silver-filled wire and findings are fabricated with an outer layer of sterling silver (. 925/20) over a copper-alloy core. The findings have additional silver plating for uniformity and then each, the wire and findings, are finished with an anti-tarnish coating to preserve the beauty and luster of the silver.
What are findings in jewelry making?
Findings are the pieces that link beads together in the jewelry-making process. This includes components such as clasps, fasteners, connectors, endings and wire. This guide takes the mystery out of jewelry findings, tools and stringing materials. These are common knots used in jewelry-making and bead-weaving.
Does sterling silver have to be stamped?
Search for a sterling silver quality mark.. In the US, it is not required to stamp precious metals with quality marks, but if you do have a quality mark, there MUST be a maker’s hallmark alongside it..
What is the ring on a pendant called?
Bails
Bails are a feature of specific jewelry types (primarily necklaces) that are intended to attach to a stone or pendant. Typically, the bail is centered on the necklace where the pendant will hang. The most common bail allows a chain to flow through, and is then attached by a ring to the pendant.
What is a jewelry jump ring?
Jump rings are (usually metal) rings used to make chains, jewelry, and chainmaille. They are made by wrapping wire around a mandrel to make a coil, then cutting the coil with wire cutters to make individual rings.
What are headpins and Eyepins?
Headpins work well to make neatly finished drops. Eyepins are straight pieces of wire with a simple loop at one end. The loop stops strung beads from falling off the end of the wire, like with a headpin, but the eyepin’s ”eye” opens so you can add other findings to it.
Is sterling silver a valuable jewellery?
The metals used in sterling silver alloys are not valuable and do not add to the overall worth of the metal. However, the difference in price is slight. If you are in doubt regarding the purity of your silver jewelry, you can take it to a professional to have the piece tested. The Acid Test is commonly conducted to determine the purity of silver.
Which is best, pewter or sterling silver jewelry?
TierraCast makes the best quality pewter. TierraCast pewter complies with all U.S. and European standards of lead, nickel, and cadmium. Their attention to detail in workmanship is unparalled. Siverplating is actually fine silver plating which is even better than sterling silver. TierraCast uses 22 Karat real gold in their gold plating.
Is white gold better than sterling silver jewelry?
White gold items are generally more durable than silver, but both will blacken over time thanks to their metal zinc and nickel alloys. Most gold and sterling silver buyers choose to dip their jewelry in rhodium to keep tarnishing at bay.
How to identify sterling silver and gold on jewelry?
Gold Overlay or Vermeil usually means Gold over Sterling. 1/10, 1/20 or any fraction before a karat marking means Gold Filled. Identify sterling silver by finding the number 925. Some items that appear to be gold but have the 925 stamp are made of gold-plated sterling silver.