| No jewelery work box is complete without a | | | | For those who may be allergic to nickel coated |
| selection of silver findings. Essential to any form | | | | findings, silver and in particular Sterling silver |
| of jewelery making, silver findings are cheap, | | | | findings are a useful alternative as they rarely |
| plentiful and have a huge range of applications in | | | | cause any form of allergic reaction with the skin. |
| every aspect of the craft. Used in everything | | | | It does depend on the copper content of the |
| from earrings to broaches, bracelets, necklaces | | | | finding, which if high can turn the skin a green |
| and rings, silver findings are a cheap alternative to | | | | color, but by selecting good quality findings from a |
| gold, allowing everyone to explore the fascinating | | | | reputable supplier this problem can be easily |
| world of creating their own jewelery. | | | | avoided. Silver findings used in earrings are |
| Silver findings also make it possible to incorporate | | | | relatively cheap and easy to use, so it is worth |
| other aspects into your designs such as the | | | | the extra small expense in selecting these over |
| inclusion of precious and semi-precious gemstones. | | | | nickel plated findings to ensure that your jewelery |
| Jewelery making suppliers have catalogs full of | | | | can be worn by everyone. |
| silver findings specifically designed to take stones, | | | | The tiniest finding in anyone's work box is also the |
| ranging from pre-cut cabochons to unique, one-off | | | | most useful - the humble jump ring. This circular |
| designs that can be adapted to suit a specific | | | | ring, which is split to allow it to be linked to other |
| stone. The reflection from the silver finding gives | | | | findings, is used in almost every type of jewelery |
| the stone added depth and warmth, particularly | | | | making, particularly in the manufacture of |
| when working with more translucent stones such | | | | necklaces and bracelets. Its most usual application |
| as opal or the ever-popular amber. | | | | is to fix clasps to the ends of strings of beads or |
| Silver findings also have an added advantage in | | | | chains and means that bracelet and necklace |
| that they can be worked and re-worked to | | | | lengths can be adjusted to various sizes. It is |
| create a specific effect. If the jeweler is unhappy | | | | always advisable to silver solder the jump ring |
| with the final result, the stone can be removed | | | | once it is in place to avoid it catching on a piece |
| easily and the silver finding adjusted to give a | | | | of clothing, for example, and opening up allowing |
| better fit or finish. Silver is harder than gold but | | | | the necklace or bracelet to separate. |
| does tend to scratch easily so it is essential that | | | | Silver findings are readily available from all good |
| you use the correct equipment when working | | | | jewellery making suppliers and a quick scan on the |
| with silver findings to ensure that the surface of | | | | Internet will give you plenty to choose from in |
| the metal is not damaged. Deep marks can be | | | | your area. However, if you're looking for more |
| very difficult to polish out and may detract from | | | | unusual findings, don't be afraid to hunt further |
| the beauty of the final piece, especially if they are | | | | afield to add a bit of adventurous flare to your |
| on an exposed surface. | | | | designs. |