| In looking for new ways to create stunning jewelry | | | | that is coated with several layers of sterling silver finish. |
| pieces, many jewelers and artisans have started to | | | | It looks virtually the same as sterling wire, but this type |
| turn to new materials in their art. Some choose to use | | | | of silver wire is much less expensive to purchase. |
| metals that may not have been in common usage | | | | Silver plated wire can also be easier to work with - |
| before - such as titanium or stainless steel. Others look | | | | copper is much easier to bend and mold, so having the |
| at metals that have been used for centuries in a new | | | | copper at the wire's core makes it a more easily |
| way. Silver has been a mainstay in the jewelry | | | | shaped material. Higher quality silver plated wire will |
| industry for hundreds of years, but today's artisans | | | | also be coated with an anti-tarnish coating, which also |
| choose to work with it in a different format, as is seen | | | | helps to keep it from reacting with your skin. |
| in silver wire jewelry. | | | | Most silver wire jewelry is made with a series of |
| Silver wire is an incredibly useful form of silver. It can | | | | wraps or spirals, and can also include glass beads, |
| be shaped into many different pieces of jewelry, and it | | | | crystals and even precious gems. The wire can be |
| can also be used as components of other jewelry | | | | used as an accent, or as the base of the jewelry |
| pieces. Sterling silver wire is the most expensive type | | | | piece - it can also be used to hold other materials |
| of silver wire - it is composed of 925 (92.5% pure) | | | | together. The free form nature of silver wire jewelry |
| silver and is solid throughout. This type of wire can be | | | | means that most pieces are one of a kind, which |
| easy to work with or it can be quite stiff - depending | | | | appeals to many jewelry collectors. The affordability of |
| on the gauge of the wire used. The heavier the silver | | | | silver wire jewelry over other types of silver jewelry is |
| wire is, the harder it is to bend. Silver wire jewelry that | | | | also a draw to this craft. |
| is hammered, flattened or textured is usually made | | | | Try your hand at making your own silver wire pieces, |
| with pure silver wire, as it retains its properties while | | | | or find one of the many craftspeople who make this |
| worked. | | | | jewelry to create a custom piece just for you. This |
| An alternative to sterling silver wire is silver plated wire. | | | | sort of jewelry is an excellent way to have a one of a |
| This type of jewelry wire is composed of a core | | | | kind piece without having to spend the money to have |
| (usually copper, but occasionally base metal or brass) | | | | a high end jeweler create something for you. |