Ask the Experts Forming Q&A

Can I make earwires from niobium? Can I melt a ball on the end of this wire with a torch?

- Melanie

You can form niobium wire into many shapes with covered tools such as a nylon jaw pliers. It is a strong wire which will keep its shape. Since the surface color is deposited through anodizing (i.e. plating), niobium should be hammered lightly, if at all. The wire end only should be lightly filed smooth. It is not advisable to apply heat as much as you would need to ball up the end of the wire or to solder.

Niobium wire, ear wires, jump rings, head pins and eye pins are manufactured in a variety of pleasing colors.

- Sandra Lupo, Metalsmith, Jewelry Artist and Instructor