Sterling Silver-Filled Product Testing
by Sandra Lupo, Metalsmith, Jewelry Designer and Instructor Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®
Sandra Lupo used, tested and analyzed sterling silver-filled components and wrapping wire. Here are her discoveries and results.
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| Test | Notes | Conclusion | |||||
| Tarnish by Wear: | This product will tarnish over time. | These earwires are suitable for any and all designs | |||||
| Durability: | Ring opens and closes repeatedly with springiness (not brittle). | ||||||
| Oxidizing: | Consistent color (with liver of sulfur and Cool Tool Patina Gel nuggets in warm solution). | ||||||
| Polishing/tumbling: | Color was mantained; finish was lustrous. | ||||||
| Allergic reaction: | No reaction (worn by someone who is typically allergic to plated metals). | ||||||
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| Test | Notes | Conclusion | |||||
| Size: | Accurate measurement using the brass slide gauge. | This jumpring mix is suitable for most chainmaille applications and generally connecting and linking. | |||||
| Shape: | Round, accurate 18 gauge thickness with brass slide gauge. | ||||||
| Flush ends: | Very clean--no burrs. | ||||||
| Wire manipulation: | open/close well. | ||||||
| Work-hardening: | Work-hardens slightly less than sterling silver. | ||||||
| Soldering: | Not Using stick solder, flux and butane or propane. Solder flowed but ring surface became rough like skin and reddish. Surface appeared, as with firescale. | ||||||
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| Hardness | Test | Notes | Conclusion | |||||
| All Tempers: | Work-Hardening (Hammering): | Tested, 18 and 22 gauge wire. 18 gauge--surface performs well (no cracks) when a small simple loop or spiral is made. 22 gauge--surface performs well (no cracks) when a small simple loop or spiral is made. | Work-Hardening performs the same as sterling silver applications. | |||||
| Oxidizing: | 18 and 22 gauge spirals were oxidized with liver of sulfur or Cool Tool Patina Gel. Compared to similar sterling spirals, the sterling silver-filled performed just as well. | Oxidizing performs the same as sterling silver applications. | ||||||
| Polishing/Tumbling: | Brass polishing and tumbling on sterling silver-filled spirals performed as well as similar sterling spirals. | Polishing/Tumbling performs the same as sterling silver applications. | ||||||
| Dead-Soft Wire: | Wire manipulation: | 30, 28 and 26 gauges dead-soft can be crocheted. | Dead-soft silver-filled wire in 18, 22, 26 and 28 sample sized were generally good for the various applications suited for thin or thicker gauges. Compared to sterling silver, this sterling silver-filled wire could be substituted for the sterling and would do well in wireworking designs. | |||||
| A sample spiral was made in 18 and 22 gauges. Both 22 and 18 gauges performed well in being spiraled and forming small circles. | ||||||||
| Half-Hard Wire: | These wires have been tested only for their springiness versus the dead-soft wire. | They spring just as much as sterling silver half-hard wires. | Half-hard wire should have the same results as sterling silver applications and can be tested at a later date. | |||||
| Full-Hard Wire: | These wires have been tested only for their springiness versus the dead-soft and half-hard wire. | They spring just as much as sterling silver full-hard wires. | Full-hard wire should have the same results as sterling silver applications and can be tested at a later date. | |||||
Note: Sterling Silver-Filled--items are made by combining a durable outer layer of sterling silver (.925/20) surrounding a copper-alloy core. Use care when polishing, tumbling and/or soldering this product as the inner copper-alloy core may become exposed. For best results, testing these applications is recommended.
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