How to Buy Sterling Silver-What Do Dead Soft and Half Hard Mean When Buying Sterling Silver?

[@MikkellTheImmortal]

I love how you're just straight up blunt. You explained the commercial names so simply. Thank you for the knowledge

[@JewelryArts]

You are very welcome 😃

[@shortyandhorses]

Great explanation!

[@JewelryArts]

I am so glad that you enjoyed it😃

[@paigefleming4091]

Thank you for this information... and for getting straight to the point! Very much appreciated ❤

[@JewelryArts]

I am so glad you enjoyed it! 😃

[@robbjerls2252]

Thank you for explaining that. Some of this can get a little confusing sometimes. Especially as you said the manufacturers don't explain it very well.

[@JewelryArts]

I am glad you found it helpful. There is so much to know, I love sharing information. :)

[@Darkice77]

Thanks for explaining. I do blacksmithing but I've never messed with silver before. I have been watching some videos on how to make a double foxtail necklace and I'm now gathering materials.

[@JewelryArts]

Chain weaving is addictive. You will love t! 😃

[@tatianaG]

Thank you! Tm super new and all the info is so overwhelming. This is so helpful!

[@JewelryArts]

Relax! Before you know it, all of this will be second nature. :)

[@bonnieguild6564]

thanks for clarifying all this confusing stuff! Now I will know what to buy!

[@JewelryArts]

You are very welcome! I could never understand why metals places don't put this information on their front page. :)

[@got2surf90]

Is there a particular place I should buy or avoid buying from. I’m ready to start a hobby

[@JewelryArts]

I definitely prefer to buy from smaller businesses rather than huge corporations. 😃

[@annitagalvan9049]

Hello, I have the same query like so many other people. I'm a polymer clay artist who wants to incorporate metal to my work. I do use artistry wire and I know that, e.g, 18gauge wire is quite thick, and the higher the gauge, the softer it is. Does this have anything to do with the meaning of half hard or soft wire? As well, if I want to use stainless steel wire, instead of sterling silver wire, should I use the same gauge for the same project? I know that stainless steel is a harder metal than sterling silver, so if I use a 20gauge sterling silver for stone wrapping, shall I use 20gauge stainless steel wire for the same purpose? Thanks a lot for your time and help for de confusing me 😊

[@JewelryArts]

A thicker wire is harder to bend because it has more mass but that has nothing to do with if the material is soft because of annealing. Annealing makes metal as soft as it can be but a thicker wire will "feel" harder regardless. You can wrap with 20 gauge stainless but it will be significantly harder to wrap than sterling. :)

[@annitagalvan9049]

@JewelryArts, Hello, thanks a lot for your response, very helpful and to the point 🤗

[@JewelryArts]

@@annitagalvan9049 You are very welcome! :)

[@ThomasShue]

Where do you Buy your silver abd gold wire?

[@JewelryArts]

Hi Thomas I get everything from Tevel at Allcraft 212-279-7077 You can also take a look at my gold site to see what the gold options are. www.jewelryartstools.com/gold

[@rgallant47]

My question is whether or not to use the same gauge for silver as I do for copper. For example, I use 14g soft for a pendant frame when I use copper. Would I use the same if I used silver? Because silver is softer than copper, this is why I'm wondering what gauges and what hardness to buy if I want to create same thing in silver. Do you get what i'm asking? Thanks

[@rgallant47]

I wire wrap jewelry

[@JewelryArts]

Copper wire is actually quite soft but I think you are talking about sheet, yes? Generally in silver I don't use thicker than 18 gauge which is 1mm thick. That is plenty thick for pretty much any pendant. :)

[@eljay0110]

Is it the same for wire?

[@JewelryArts]

Yes, exactly the same. :)

[@DavidCaines100]

Thank you...:)

[@JewelryArts]

You are very welcome! Hope it helps.

[@ronniesmith8965]

What makes you have to use the work “fuck”?

[@JewelryArts]

I suppose it is just the demons inside....

[@rachelsremedies2602]

lololoi

[@JewelryArts]

:)