You may have noticed that the price of silver has risen lately, and found, to your regret, that many of the beautiful sterling silver or fine silver findings and wire that you counted on being able to use in your jewelry are becoming cost prohibitive.
Did you know that the price of silver has actually been rising steadily for the past ten years? When Beadaholique started offering sterling silver beads and findings more than 10 years ago, silver cost around $4 per troy ounce. Today it costs almost $40! In fact, the price of silver has nearly doubled in the last year alone.
What are we poor beaders and jewelry makers to do? Our other main alternative, silver-plated brass findings, while extremely affordable, and ideal for beginners, or younger beaders, has a short life, appearance-wise. Electroplated silver is mere microns thick, and can easily wear off, or corrode off under normal use.
The jewelry industry as a whole is facing the same conundrum, and manufacturers are, almost in unison, turning to the same solution to the problem. "What is it?" I hear you cry.
(Trumpet flourish)
Silver-filled is making a comeback! Silver-filled, also once known as rolled silver or Sheffield silver, is a relatively thick layer of silver mechanically bonded over a metal core, usually brass or copper. This silver layer, because it is many times thicker, is by its very nature highly superior to and far more durable than a thin electroplated layer of mere silver plate.
We are pleased to announce the arrival of silver filled findings and wire at Beadaholique. Silver filled offers the same beautiful appearance and warm shine of solid silver at a considerable savings. Silver filled wire and components can be used much the same as
their sterling silver counterparts, and with proper care, these pieces
will last a lifetime. Silver filled is usually available less than 50% of the cost of
sterling silver, making it an excellent choice for jewelry making.
Did you know that the price of silver has actually been rising steadily for the past ten years? When Beadaholique started offering sterling silver beads and findings more than 10 years ago, silver cost around $4 per troy ounce. Today it costs almost $40! In fact, the price of silver has nearly doubled in the last year alone.
What are we poor beaders and jewelry makers to do? Our other main alternative, silver-plated brass findings, while extremely affordable, and ideal for beginners, or younger beaders, has a short life, appearance-wise. Electroplated silver is mere microns thick, and can easily wear off, or corrode off under normal use.
The jewelry industry as a whole is facing the same conundrum, and manufacturers are, almost in unison, turning to the same solution to the problem. "What is it?" I hear you cry.
(Trumpet flourish)
Silver-filled is making a comeback! Silver-filled, also once known as rolled silver or Sheffield silver, is a relatively thick layer of silver mechanically bonded over a metal core, usually brass or copper. This silver layer, because it is many times thicker, is by its very nature highly superior to and far more durable than a thin electroplated layer of mere silver plate.
We are pleased to announce the arrival of silver filled findings and wire at Beadaholique. Silver filled offers the same beautiful appearance and warm shine of solid silver at a considerable savings. Silver filled wire and components can be used much the same as
their sterling silver counterparts, and with proper care, these pieces
will last a lifetime. Silver filled is usually available less than 50% of the cost of
sterling silver, making it an excellent choice for jewelry making.
When shopping for silver filled items, you will often see in the descriptions numbers such as 99/20, 99/10, 925/20, or 925/10. What do these numbers mean? The first number will always tell you if it is fine silver (99% silver) or sterling silver (92.5% silver) which has been bonded over the core.
The second number tells you the thickness of the layer. For instance, a 20 represents 1/20th, which means that the silver layer is 5% (1/20th) of the total material weight. A 10 indicates that 1/10th or 10% of the total material is silver. So in the case of silver filled, the smaller the second number is, then the higher quantity of silver (which seems counter-intuitive, I know). Make sure to ask your supplier for these details if they do not disclose them.
Almost anything you can do with sterling silver, you can do with silver filled. Compared with silver plated findings and wire, whose electroplated layer can easily scratch and come off (and so is best for inexpensive fashion or costume jewelry), the thick silver filled layer enables you to create heirloom quality jewelry that will stand the test of time.
With silver filled you can use many of your favorite silver jewelry making techniques which were difficult or not possible to do with silver plate. You can create a rich patina with liver of sulfur, wire wrap intricate patterns that will retain their finish, texturize with a hammer, wire work to create your own clasps and ear wires, create chain maille, etc. Once again the world of making jewelry with beautiful, high quality silver components is available to you.
To care for your new silver filled jewelry, you will want to follow the same guidelines as when caring for solid silver. Store your materials in sealed plastic bags to slow down tarnishing cause by sulfur and oxygen in the air. When you are wearing your silver filled jewelry, try to keep it away from excess perspiration, chlorine (take off before swimming) and other chemicals. If it does become tarnished, use a silver polish to bring back its shine and luster. Look for cleaning and polishing products that are approved for silver, these will work well on silver filled as well.
At Beadaholique we are pleased to offer many silver filled items. Wire is available in 6 gauges ranging from 16 - 26 in both half hard and dead soft. We also have a great selection of round seamless beads, head pins, ear wires, jump rings, crimp beads, toggle clasps and several charms. As more and more manufacturers expand their of silver filled offerings, our selection will grow. We will continue to offer sterling silver items as well as silver plated, so now you will have 3 choices and can decide which one is best for you.
If you are hearing about silver filled for the first time as you are reading this, I hope we answered many of your questions. Silver filled is a beautiful, affordable alternative to sterling silver that can be used much the same way as sterling.
Widespread opinion holds that the price of silver will not be declining anytime soon and will most likely rise. Out of this, the silver filled industry was born and will continue to grow. You might not have heard much about silver filled in the past, but chances are you will be hearing much more about it in the coming months and years. It is an excellent new resource and one which we are excited to see develop.
Widespread opinion holds that the price of silver will not be declining anytime soon and will most likely rise. Out of this, the silver filled industry was born and will continue to grow. You might not have heard much about silver filled in the past, but chances are you will be hearing much more about it in the coming months and years. It is an excellent new resource and one which we are excited to see develop.
If you have any questions about silver filled, please post them to this blog or to our Facebook page.
-Julie
