Types
of Wire Used
ARGENTIUM™
STERLING SILVER
Argentium™ Sterling Silver wire
is new, highly tarnish-resistant real sterling silver that
keeps its shine for years without polishing. Peter Johns, a
professor of silversmithing at Middlesex University in
England, invented Argentium™ Sterling Silver in 1996. It is
a patented and trademarked alloy that is at least 92.5%
pure silver, just like traditional sterling silver. What
makes Argentium™ different from traditional sterling silver
is that germanium replaces 1.2% of the copper that is
usually the other 7.5% of sterling silver. Argentium™
Sterling Silver cost from 15% to 18% more than standard
sterling silver but is destined to become the new standard
for the high-end silver jewelry market. Jewelry made
from Argentium™ sterling silver will not tarnish like
traditional sterling silver jewelry so it gives one all the
prestige of silver with none of the hassle of polishing.
14 KT GOLD-FILLED WIRE
14 kt gold-filled wire (14/20
gold-filled wire) is made by heat- and pressure-bonding a
thin layer of gold to a base metal core, usually jeweler's
brass. The gold content is 5% or 1/20 of the total wire.
Gold-filled wire for jewelry offers an affordable, durable
choice at a fraction of the cost of solid karat gold. There
is 100 times more gold in 14 kt gold filled (14 kt gold
overlay) than in gold plated metal. Jewelry made with 14 kt
gold-filled wire is a lifetime product for most people. It
wears like 14 kt gold and only people with extreme
sensitivity generally have any allergic reactions to this
metal because the outer layer is 14 kt gold.
STERLING SILVER WIRE
Silver is a natural occurring
metal that is too soft in its pure form for use in jewelry.
To make it adequately hard for jewelry making, another
metal is added. Sterling Silver is a metal alloy containing
92.5% silver and 7.5% copper which increases the silver's
hardness. Sterling silver is quite malleable and ductile.
Tarnish on sterling silver is formed primarily by the
copper reacting with chemicals in the atmosphere forming a
dark almost black color. Wearing sterling silver jewelry is
one of the best measure to help prevent tarnish. Allowing
the sterling silver to contact chlorinated water and
household chemicals such as ammonia and bleach should be
avoided. Cared for properly, sterling silver can be worn
often and with minimal cleaning required, making it very
easy to care for.
SURGICAL or SURGICAL STAINLESS STEEL WIRE
Surgical steel is any one of a
family of low carbon alloy steels usually containing 10-30%
chromium. The chromium provides good resistance to
corrosion and heat. Other elements may be added to increase
corrosion resistance or oxidation resistance. In jewelry,
it is sometimes labeled "hypoallergenic." It is quite often
used to make ear wires or earposts.
