I give up! Need to learn about metals other than sterling

chrisdd · #1 2011-03-16, 9:06am

I can no longer afford to buy just sterling silver for my jewelry. I'm looking into pewter, aluminum and stainless, but know nothing about them. Are they durable? Can I work with them the same as SS? I see that some of them are silver plated. Are these crap? Do I need to worry about lead in the pewter, especially if it's from China?

I'd love some guidance from folks with experience working with these metals.

mewkittie · #2 2011-03-16, 9:40am

If you are talking about sheet metals, working with pewter, aluminum or stainless steel are not the same. If you are talking about buying findings in other metals, I'd go with a good quality pewter manufacturer like Tierra Cast or Green Girl. They tend to be nicer, better definition, and have a coating on the outside that doesn't wear off. I've used the cheaper pewter findings and they don't last. I'd worry about lead or other bad chemicals if it's from China.

Another route to go is use other metals such as brass, copper and bronze for jewelry, though some people are allergic to these metals.

Laura B · #3 2011-03-16, 9:52am

Silver is my last hold out.

I love mixed metals, so I've swapped out bronze for gold. I also use copper. But I've yet to find a good "white end of the spectrum" substitute for silver.

I won't work with nickel because of the high numbers of people with nickel allergies (15% of the U.S. population).

I love stainless steel, but find it too hard (for me) to work with. "Hard" as in non-malleable. (Same with titanium and tungsten carbide)

I try to steer clear of pewter because the 15% that isn't tin can be anything from lead to antimony.

Antimony is too much like arsenic.

On the lookout for white metals not mentioned above.

My latest exploration is "white bronze", which isn't actually bronze. It's copper, zinc, and tin.

SuzyQ · #4 2011-03-16, 10:02am

Aluminum is not a good choice because it won't work harden. It stays mushy and you have to use thick gauge wire to have it hold it's shape well. It is nice as part of a mixed metal look. I have done sterling ear wires with aluminum danglies. Aluminum is also a great hammered rivet because it takes much less force than the metals you might be cold connecting like brass or copper.

I am making a fair amount of brass and copper earrings but it bums me out that I can't wear them. Both turn my skin black.

SadiesJewels · #5 2011-03-16, 12:27pm

I go green/black too with copper, and the copper goes dark and tarnished.

There's niobium and titanium ... not sure what the price on those is right now. Almost universally allergy free and can be colored wonderful bright colors through anodizing! However can't be soldered so I'm sticking with silver for soldered things.

Sadie

BeadBlossoms · #6 2011-03-16, 1:15pm

I know Fire Mountain just introduced a product called "silver filled" wire, etc. It's supposed to look and work like silver and you can solder it. Might be worth a look?
http://www.firemountaingems.com/ster...T.ac=RS3110211

chrisdd · #7 2011-03-16, 2:49pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeadBlossoms

I know Fire Mountain just introduced a product called "silver filled" wire, etc. It's supposed to look and work like silver and you can solder it. Might be worth a look?
http://www.firemountaingems.com/ster...T.ac=RS3110211

I was looking through their catalogue when I decided to throw in the towel on SS.

I saw the silver filled but didn't know how good it is.

chrisdd · #8 2011-03-16, 2:55pm

I'm using a bit of copper and am interested in bronze, and I love the colored wires, but I mostly want something the color of silver. Laura, i'd like to know what you think of the white bronze after you've had a chance to play with it...sounds very interesting! I'll also look into Green Girl and Tierra Cast to see if they're safe.

Thanks, everyone, you've given me a lot to look into.

Laura B · #9 2011-03-16, 3:04pm

The Bead Factory also sells silver-filled wire: http://www.thebeadfactory.com/catalog/home.php?cat=294

Laura B · #10 2011-03-16, 3:07pm

You can't work silver-fill the way you can with sterling... because too much maniupation will expose the copper core.

Bobeche · #11 2011-03-16, 4:56pm

I am admiring the work this artist does with nickel silver...fabulous!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/mollyheltsl...w_type=gallery

DesertDreamer · #12 2011-03-16, 10:24pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobeche

I am admiring the work this artist does with nickel silver...fabulous!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/mollyheltsl...w_type=gallery

Nice stuff! I wish I could wear the owl, he's adorable. However, nickel silver and I just ain't gonna happen.

I'm being very miserly with my silver wire. I'm thinking of selling off what silver sheet I have left, since I'm not doing much of anything with it. For simple stuff where work hardening isn't essential, I like bright aluminum, and I love working with anodized aluminum for colors...mostly in chain mail.

Kevan · #13 2011-03-16, 11:38pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laura B

Silver is my last hold out.

I love mixed metals, so I've swapped out bronze for gold. I also use copper. But I've yet to find a good "white end of the spectrum" substitute for silver.

I won't work with nickel because of the high numbers of people with nickel allergies (15% of the U.S. population).

I love stainless steel, but find it too hard (for me) to work with. "Hard" as in non-malleable. (Same with titanium and tungsten carbide)

I try to steer clear of pewter because the 15% that isn't tin can be anything from lead to antimony.

Antimony is too much like arsenic.

On the lookout for white metals not mentioned above.

My latest exploration is "white bronze", which isn't actually bronze. It's copper, zinc, and tin.

Is that the same thing as white brass? I remember when I took a casting class looong time ago the teacher said no casting of white brass, it's too poisonous.