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Fine Silver vs Sterling Silver. What’s the difference? And why should you care? You might notice that in my posts and reels, I often differentiate between fine silver and sterling silver. Ever wonder why? What’s the difference? Does it really matter? Well, in my opinion, a Jewelry lover should be well informed. So here are the details😘 Fine Silver: Fine Silver is 100% pure Silver, with nothing mixed in. It’s a bright, white metal, that doesn’t tarnish and lends itself beautifully to rustic or ancient looking designs with a brushed or matte finish. It’s relatively soft, as far as metals go, so it doesn’t hold a high polish all that well and can dent with rough wear. *will lose fight with car door* then again, so will I 🤷‍♀️ Sterling Silver: Sterling Silver is 92.5% Fine Silver, and 7.5% Copper. That little bit of copper, adds durability, strength and shine. Unfortunately, that also gives it the propensity to tarnish. No worries though, a quick buff with a polishing cloth and you’ll be good to go. Want to avoid the polishing cloth entirely? Keep wearing your sterling silver daily! *Sterling silver does not like to be lonely, left in a jewelry box and it will tarnish in protest.* Why do you hear me talk about both metals? Mostly, it’s because I love Enameling, and that enameling process works beautifully on fine silver. The absence of copper means it doesn’t tarnish at all under a torch or kiln, and those oxides can be tricky buggers, preventing a strong bond between metal and enamel. Technically, yes, it is possible to enamel on Sterling Silver… but it involves a whole other process called depletion gilding, and we’ll get to that an another day. For the most part, I stick to fine silver for enameling purposes and I love it✨ Happy Tuesday Jewelry lovers! #jewelrylovers #notionsoflovely #handcraftedjewelry #vitreousenamel #jewelrylover
Fine Silver vs Sterling Silver. What’s the difference? And why should you care? You might notice that in my posts and reels, I often differentiate between fine silver and sterling silver. Ever wonder why? What’s the difference? Does it really matter? Well, in my opinion, a Jewelry lover should be well informed. So here are the details😘 Fine Silver: Fine Silver is 100% pure Silver, with nothing mixed in. It’s a bright, white metal, that doesn’t tarnish and lends itself beautifully to rustic or ancient looking designs with a brushed or matte finish. It’s relatively soft, as far as metals go, so it doesn’t hold a high polish all that well and can dent with rough wear. *will lose fight with car door* then again, so will I 🤷‍♀️ Sterling Silver: Sterling Silver is 92.5% Fine Silver, and 7.5% Copper. That little bit of copper, adds durability, strength and shine. Unfortunately, that also gives it the propensity to tarnish. No worries though, a quick buff with a polishing cloth and you’ll be good to go. Want to avoid the polishing cloth entirely? Keep wearing your sterling silver daily! *Sterling silver does not like to be lonely, left in a jewelry box and it will tarnish in protest.* Why do you hear me talk about both metals? Mostly, it’s because I love Enameling, and that enameling process works beautifully on fine silver. The absence of copper means it doesn’t tarnish at all under a torch or kiln, and those oxides can be tricky buggers, preventing a strong bond between metal and enamel. Technically, yes, it is possible to enamel on Sterling Silver… but it involves a whole other process called depletion gilding, and we’ll get to that an another day. For the most part, I stick to fine silver for enameling purposes and I love it✨ Happy Tuesday Jewelry lovers! #jewelrylovers #notionsoflovely #handcraftedjewelry #vitreousenamel #jewelrylover
Ever wonder how a patina is added to sterling silver?? This is the same process why your silver jewelry turns black in a natural sulphur rich hot spring
Ever wonder how a patina is added to sterling silver?? This is the same process why your silver jewelry turns black in a natural sulphur rich hot spring
Spinning Scrap! Make granules! Great Balls of silver! #granulation #silverscrap #masonmetaldesigns #recyclesilver #silversmith
Spinning Scrap! Make granules! Great Balls of silver! #granulation #silverscrap #masonmetaldesigns #recyclesilver #silversmith
Sterling silver is widely used, but I use an alloy of 80% silver and 20% gold. Silver-copper alloys such as sterling silver are common because they are harder and stronger than fine silver, making them practical for jewelry. The tarnish caused by sulfur-containing gases in the air has also been accepted as part of the antique character of silver-copper alloys. In my rings, however, resistance to tarnish matters more, together with enough softness to allow bending during the making process. I also value a structure that remains as uniform as possible. Silver and copper mix in the molten state, but during solidification segregation can occur, and after cooling they do not easily remain uniform. Sterling silver therefore tends to form a two-phase structure containing silver-rich and copper-rich regions. Silver and gold, by contrast, are more likely to remain uniformly mixed after cooling. For this reason, I add gold to silver rather than copper. I use 20% gold because I want to preserve the whiteness of silver while reducing the proportion of silver as much as possible and increasing the proportion of gold, which is chemically more stable. I do not use palladium because even a small amount gives the metal a slightly gray tone. Silver-platinum alloys may also be used in some cases, but for the whiteness, uniform structure, and suitability for bending that I need, I find silver-gold alloys more appropriate. Another reason is the material’s behavior during heating. When silver-copper alloys are heated during soldering or other processes, the copper in the alloy can oxidize, producing a black surface scale or leaving reddish-purple to purplish-brown discoloration even after polishing. In English-language jewelry terminology, these are sometimes distinguished as firescale and firestain. In my work, this surface oxidation and residual discoloration become a problem, which is another reason why I choose an alloy of 80% silver and 20% gold.
Sterling silver is widely used, but I use an alloy of 80% silver and 20% gold. Silver-copper alloys such as sterling silver are common because they are harder and stronger than fine silver, making them practical for jewelry. The tarnish caused by sulfur-containing gases in the air has also been accepted as part of the antique character of silver-copper alloys. In my rings, however, resistance to tarnish matters more, together with enough softness to allow bending during the making process. I also value a structure that remains as uniform as possible. Silver and copper mix in the molten state, but during solidification segregation can occur, and after cooling they do not easily remain uniform. Sterling silver therefore tends to form a two-phase structure containing silver-rich and copper-rich regions. Silver and gold, by contrast, are more likely to remain uniformly mixed after cooling. For this reason, I add gold to silver rather than copper. I use 20% gold because I want to preserve the whiteness of silver while reducing the proportion of silver as much as possible and increasing the proportion of gold, which is chemically more stable. I do not use palladium because even a small amount gives the metal a slightly gray tone. Silver-platinum alloys may also be used in some cases, but for the whiteness, uniform structure, and suitability for bending that I need, I find silver-gold alloys more appropriate. Another reason is the material’s behavior during heating. When silver-copper alloys are heated during soldering or other processes, the copper in the alloy can oxidize, producing a black surface scale or leaving reddish-purple to purplish-brown discoloration even after polishing. In English-language jewelry terminology, these are sometimes distinguished as firescale and firestain. In my work, this surface oxidation and residual discoloration become a problem, which is another reason why I choose an alloy of 80% silver and 20% gold.
Just needed a moment in the jar. Oxidised sterling silver. Lost wax cast. Hand finished. #darkfashion #lostwaxcasting #patinaperfection #sapphiregemstone #jewelleryprocess
Just needed a moment in the jar. Oxidised sterling silver. Lost wax cast. Hand finished. #darkfashion #lostwaxcasting #patinaperfection #sapphiregemstone #jewelleryprocess
Since silver is considered a precious metal, unused portions can be melted to be used in new projects. Prepping for an upcoming show. Follow me to see where these pieces of silver are used.
Since silver is considered a precious metal, unused portions can be melted to be used in new projects. Prepping for an upcoming show. Follow me to see where these pieces of silver are used.
Dark, moody silver in seconds ✨⁠ ⁠ Just mix liver of sulphur with warm water, dip your textured piece, and watch the patina develop. Buff the raised areas to reveal the highlights and create stunning contrast.⁠ ⁠ Comment “PATINA” for the link 🖤⁠
Dark, moody silver in seconds ✨⁠ ⁠ Just mix liver of sulphur with warm water, dip your textured piece, and watch the patina develop. Buff the raised areas to reveal the highlights and create stunning contrast.⁠ ⁠ Comment “PATINA” for the link 🖤⁠
I have been maning to make this video for a while because I get asked about cleaning silver all the time. Here a a couple different ways I use to keep my silver sparkling ✨️ 1st off sterling silver tarnishes, its a fact of life. The silver reacts with oxygen and it creates a layer of oxidation at the surface. Thats the black layer you see when the silver is tarnished and you are removing that layer when you polish it. A simple way to shine up your jewelry if it is just minimally tarnished is by using a silver polishing cloth. These cloths are specific for polishing silver. They are micro abrasive so don't use them on your glasses 😳 They basically scrape off the oxidation layer. To clean gently rub the surface of the jewelry or pull a chain through the cloth to polish. When you are done you can even see the black oxidation left behind on the cloth. This method often leaves oxidation in between wire wraps and in crevice saround stones or etching and can gove the jewelry a cool antiqued look. (Pro tip wash your polishing cloth when it gets really dirty, it won't damage the cloth or make it stop working. It will clean again like it was new) For really tarnished metal only jewelry you can use a silver polish dip. Use gloves because this stuff can really irritate your skin. It just takes a few seconds. Drop your jewelry into the basket and watch it clean right before your eyes. Make sure to rinse off your jewelry completely after this step. Sometimes the polishing chemicals can stick in crevices in the metal and bother your skin. As a bonus tip I like to drop my jewelry into my ultra sonic cleaner after a dip and rinse to make extra sure its totally clean. Just use filtered water and a drop of dish soap. Untra sonics are great at removing dirt and grime that can build up on jewelry (or glasses) but it won't remove tarnish. Hence why I say this is a bonus but not necessary. (Continued in the comments 👇)
I have been maning to make this video for a while because I get asked about cleaning silver all the time. Here a a couple different ways I use to keep my silver sparkling ✨️ 1st off sterling silver tarnishes, its a fact of life. The silver reacts with oxygen and it creates a layer of oxidation at the surface. Thats the black layer you see when the silver is tarnished and you are removing that layer when you polish it. A simple way to shine up your jewelry if it is just minimally tarnished is by using a silver polishing cloth. These cloths are specific for polishing silver. They are micro abrasive so don't use them on your glasses 😳 They basically scrape off the oxidation layer. To clean gently rub the surface of the jewelry or pull a chain through the cloth to polish. When you are done you can even see the black oxidation left behind on the cloth. This method often leaves oxidation in between wire wraps and in crevice saround stones or etching and can gove the jewelry a cool antiqued look. (Pro tip wash your polishing cloth when it gets really dirty, it won't damage the cloth or make it stop working. It will clean again like it was new) For really tarnished metal only jewelry you can use a silver polish dip. Use gloves because this stuff can really irritate your skin. It just takes a few seconds. Drop your jewelry into the basket and watch it clean right before your eyes. Make sure to rinse off your jewelry completely after this step. Sometimes the polishing chemicals can stick in crevices in the metal and bother your skin. As a bonus tip I like to drop my jewelry into my ultra sonic cleaner after a dip and rinse to make extra sure its totally clean. Just use filtered water and a drop of dish soap. Untra sonics are great at removing dirt and grime that can build up on jewelry (or glasses) but it won't remove tarnish. Hence why I say this is a bonus but not necessary. (Continued in the comments 👇)
The next part of the process - polishing! I initially loved the texture on these but I was thinking that a high shine would work better to show all the beautiful curvy bits. I used my barrel sandpapers initially on this to remove some of the deeper blemishes (800, 1000 and 1,500) and then popped them into the tumbler. I LOVE the tumbler and it really reduces the time spent polishing and gives an amazing high mirror shine. I absolutely love how these have turned out! #jewellerylover #handmade #silverjewellery #silver #handmadeaccessories
The next part of the process - polishing! I initially loved the texture on these but I was thinking that a high shine would work better to show all the beautiful curvy bits. I used my barrel sandpapers initially on this to remove some of the deeper blemishes (800, 1000 and 1,500) and then popped them into the tumbler. I LOVE the tumbler and it really reduces the time spent polishing and gives an amazing high mirror shine. I absolutely love how these have turned out! #jewellerylover #handmade #silverjewellery #silver #handmadeaccessories
This is SILNOVA silver, which is a silver alloy with improved tarnish resistance. This is a global tested formula that takes approximately 20 times longer to tarnish than traditional sterling silver. Items cast in this silver alloy don’t require galvanic coatings such as rhodium plating commonly used to protect against tarnishing. #SilverCasting #Silnova #SilverAlloy #JewelleryManufacturing
This is SILNOVA silver, which is a silver alloy with improved tarnish resistance. This is a global tested formula that takes approximately 20 times longer to tarnish than traditional sterling silver. Items cast in this silver alloy don’t require galvanic coatings such as rhodium plating commonly used to protect against tarnishing. #SilverCasting #Silnova #SilverAlloy #JewelleryManufacturing
Watch the solder flow 😇 Simple but satisfying 🔥 A silver weathered stone ring which is now all finished and ready for posting to it's new owner 🥰 . . . . . #SilverJewellery #soldering #sustainablejewellery #texturedjewellery #handmaderings
Watch the solder flow 😇 Simple but satisfying 🔥 A silver weathered stone ring which is now all finished and ready for posting to it's new owner 🥰 . . . . . #SilverJewellery #soldering #sustainablejewellery #texturedjewellery #handmaderings
We understand why it can feel surprising to see beautiful pieces in the scrap pile. Every few months we melt our silver scrap because the volume becomes too large to store. With the amount of inventory we handle, we simply can’t keep everything. Melting allows us to recycle the metal and keep things moving. #silver #scrap #jewelry
We understand why it can feel surprising to see beautiful pieces in the scrap pile. Every few months we melt our silver scrap because the volume becomes too large to store. With the amount of inventory we handle, we simply can’t keep everything. Melting allows us to recycle the metal and keep things moving. #silver #scrap #jewelry
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