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Post by tims on Sept 11, 2017 1:49:19 GMT -5
Today i saw one of my first wraps that had been worn constantly for a couple of months. The copper (tarnish resistant) had gone a dull brown in color and looked dingy and unattractive. Not green, but not very pretty. I'm assuming that is the eventual fate of all such copper wire, but i'd love to know if if's avoidable. Is there a way to treat copper to keep it from tarnishing so easily? Or would pre-tarnishing (adding a patina with liver of sulfur etc.) hold it's color better over time?
I'd also like to try silver wire but don't know what to look for. Is silver "artistic wire" actually silver / silver plated, or just silver colored? I've seen .999 silver and sterling silver wire advertised also but they seem to be plated copper and i assume prone to scuffs etc. that show the copper. And they're pricy. Is that the norm? What's a good silver or silver plated wire for wrapping (probably 20 - 24 gauge) that holds up and isn't ridiculously expensive?
Anyway, before i start throwing more money and time at my hobby i figured i'd ask the pros here for suggestions. I intend to keep playing with copper until i get bails nailed down, but in future would like to use something with a more permanent, non-tarnish finish.
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Post by fantastic5 on Sept 11, 2017 8:26:16 GMT -5
I bought some EverBrite after reading some reviews online. I haven't had the chance to use it yet. But here is a good review and hopefully others with actual experience will weigh in. EverBriteAs far as inexpensive silver, no such thing. I buy my silver from RioGrande. It's expensive, but any time I've tried to buy from overseas it is not real sterling. |
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Post by janeofsometrades on Sept 11, 2017 12:44:11 GMT -5
Are you using "craft" wire? It is generally quite soft and comes in many colors? Those are great for some things, but they do wear over time.
One of my favourite jewelry artist swears by the Vintaj line of wire. I have yet to use it because what I have is copper and brass colored and right now I'm working with silver colored craft wire, just for little projects.
Are you using half hard or dead soft wire? Cheaper wire is typically dead soft.
Apologies if I'm over explaining stuff you already know.
Jewelry Making Journal is a free site run by a fantastic woman who's name I am about to butcher, Rena Klienburger. The forums there are also helpful for specific jewelry questions.
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Post by rockjunquie on Sept 11, 2017 13:10:03 GMT -5
IMO, tarnish resistant copper and coated copper are a huge waste of money. You can NOT apply a patina. It wears off and looks like crap and can not be polished back. And evey where you nick it will look bad. Pure copper can VERY easily be polished. It can also be given a patina which wears extremely well. Pure copper takes a VERY long time to turn green. When it does, if you leave it in the lows spots and polish the high spots, it looks very attractive. Unfortunately, even after all these years, that hasn't happened to me, yet.
Get some pure copper wire- some soft or half hard. Rio has spools of it. I buy soft and twist it to about half hard. You will love it! Your pieces will have a much happier and longer lifetime. When you are ready for silver, buy from a company, like Rio, that sells by spot price for silver and watch the spot price on Kitco. I just turned in a pound of scrap at a high. The price just dropped, so I am going to buy some more silver with my credit.
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Post by tims on Sept 11, 2017 14:29:23 GMT -5
OK, great info. I started with craft wire / artistic wire but as I used it up have been replacing with bulk solid copper wire, mostly due to price. The solid copper sounds like the best choice for me ATM. Have heard many good things about Rio Grande and will definitely give them a shot. I expect bulk solid copper is going to be genuine from any seller, but with silver it's good to know there is a reliable and trustworthy vendor. Curious to see how Everbrite works for you fantastic5. Thanks for the quick replies. I've done some online research but RTHers are the people I trust. |
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Don
Cave Dweller 
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Sept 11, 2017 16:50:11 GMT -5
IMO, tarnish resistant copper and coated copper are a huge waste of money. You can NOT apply a patina. It wears off and looks like crap and can not be polished back. And evey where you nick it will look bad. Pure copper can VERY easily be polished. It can also be given a patina which wears extremely well. Pure copper takes a VERY long time to turn green. When it does, if you leave it in the lows spots and polish the high spots, it looks very attractive. Unfortunately, even after all these years, that hasn't happened to me, yet. Get some pure copper wire- some soft or half hard. Rio has spools of it. I buy soft and twist it to about half hard. You will love it! Your pieces will have a much happier and longer lifetime. When you are ready for silver, buy from a company, like Rio, that sells by spot price for silver and watch the spot price on Kitco. I just turned in a pound of scrap at a high. The price just dropped, so I am going to buy some more silver with my credit. an ammonia fuming will get you that blue/green color. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Sept 11, 2017 16:51:37 GMT -5
IMO, tarnish resistant copper and coated copper are a huge waste of money. You can NOT apply a patina. It wears off and looks like crap and can not be polished back. And evey where you nick it will look bad. Pure copper can VERY easily be polished. It can also be given a patina which wears extremely well. Pure copper takes a VERY long time to turn green. When it does, if you leave it in the lows spots and polish the high spots, it looks very attractive. Unfortunately, even after all these years, that hasn't happened to me, yet. Get some pure copper wire- some soft or half hard. Rio has spools of it. I buy soft and twist it to about half hard. You will love it! Your pieces will have a much happier and longer lifetime. When you are ready for silver, buy from a company, like Rio, that sells by spot price for silver and watch the spot price on Kitco. I just turned in a pound of scrap at a high. The price just dropped, so I am going to buy some more silver with my credit. an ammonia fuming will get you that blue/green color. Yup, I've done that before. Just not often. |
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Post by manofglass on Sept 12, 2017 0:25:39 GMT -5
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