What is a Sterling Silver Finding

Sterling Silver Findings

What is a Sterling Silver Finding?

The word Finding is strange and I'm not sure where it comes from. However, it really means Component. Jewellery Findings really mean Jewellery Components.

There are many different types of Silver Findings. There are: Silver Clasps, Silver Earring Components, Silver Rings, Silver Charms, Silver Beads, Silver Connectors, Silver Pendants, Silver Bails, and Silver Jumprings just to name a few. Stones and Findings has thousands of different Silver Findings. You can see them at Sterling Silver Findings

The most important tool to Jewellery Making is having Unique Jewellery Findings. The secret is in the accents.

Where are the best Silver Findings From?

Every country has their own specialty, and many can overlap in look, depending on the individual factory's expertise. However, here are some generalizations and tips:

Best Silver Movable Mechanisms

(silver lobster clasps, leverback earring hooks) are from Italy. They are machine made to precision, using Tempered Silver and thus last a long time without deviation. You should avoid buying small silver components with moving parts from countries that handmake most of their pieces, such as India and Indonesia or Thailand. India produces many Silver Leverbacks and Lobster Clasps. However, they are highly prone to breakage and becoming loose. In recent years, some Chinese companies have begun investing in expensive Italian machinery. The quality of the Silver Findings is identical to those from Italy. However, the prices are not much cheaper because there is little labour involved and not much cost advantage for the Chinese.

Best Silver Castings

Silver Castings vary greatly within each country. In general, the best soldering is done using laser solders, and detailed Silver Findings are casted with more expensive equipment, which excludes cottage industry producers and factories with poorly trained and inexpensive staff. There is some very intricate and wonderful craftsmanship from Bali and Thailand, as well as a few Chinese companies. Production of Silver Findingsfrom India tend to be rougher than from Bali. The Chinese Silver Findings factories tend to produce machine made quality goods and are higher quality. The poor quality Jewellery Findings producers tend to make Basemetal Findings because Silver is such an expensive metal to work with.

Best Silver Stampings

I think the best silver stampings come from China and Italy, and a few exceptions can be found from Bali and Thailand. China makes mostly bright silver findings, whereas Bali and Thailand use fewer stampings and produce more antique silver findings that are casted, unique and ethnic. Moulds for silver stampings is quite expensive and cost anywhere from US$120 to US$1000 depending on size and the number of blades needed. It is geared toward mass production and higher volume, which is favoured by Chinese and Italian companies.

Best anti-tarnishing Silver

I think the best anti-tarnishing silver comes from Italy and Isreal. Italians like to coat their Silver Findings with e-coating, or sometimes lacquer. This might last 3 months longer before it, too, begins to tarnish. The result with the lacquer is that it is super shiny and sometimes you cannot antique and sometimes have problems with soldering the Silver Findings. Some Isreali companies blend their own Sterling Silver, and the formula in the mix is a highly guarded secret, and varies from factory to factory. Their Silver Findings with e-coating, or sometimes lacquer. This might last 3 months longer before it, too, begins to tarnish. Many Isreali companies blend their own Sterling Silver tends to be more expensive because instead of adding copper to mix their pure silver, they add a more expensive metal that does not tarnish at all. This is the same principle as in Argentium.

Stones and Findings has the most variety and best quality of Silver Findings in Canada. Stones and Findings creates a large selection of its own Silver Findings, as well as carry designs from other Silver Component Factories. We bring the best from Italy, Isreal, India, Thailand and China. From China, we only use factories that are ISO9002 Certified. We believe the higher wages they pay their staff and the use of the latest Jewellery Making equipment is reflected in the quality of their work. We work with reputable and larger Indian factories that do not use child labour and guarantee the quality and genuineness of their Sterling Silver Findings.

www.stonesandfindings.com

Silver Chains - how to oxidize and relieve

Silver chains are quite versatile, and unlike plated brass chains, they can be oxidized and brushed without worry about the plating coming off. Oxidized chains, once relieved through brushing, can provide a rich feel, with depth.

The easiest way to oxidize, or blacken, silver chain is by using a silver blackener. Jax makes one for about $20. Some of the tools you'll need are: 2 plastic dishes, plastic fork or disposable chopsticks or brush, some rubber gloves, plenty of paper towel.

Pour water into one of the dishes, and set aside in the sink. Have this dish of water ready for rinsing. If you are blackening more than 1 chain, tie them together by looping a wire through the locks. Put the silver chains into the other plastic dish. Pour silver blackener into dish with the silver chains slowly to avoid splashing. Pour just enough to cover the metal entirely. Swish around until the silver becomes entirely black. Use the plastic utensil to scoop the silver chain and drop into the dish of water. Turn on the tap and let water run through for a while, rinsing out the chains. Use rubber gloves at all times. Drain and pat dry with paper towel.

To brush the oxidized silver chain, put the bundle on the side of a board, and use long strokes to brush using steel wool. Flip over and brush the other side, until the lightness is even.

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