![]() Anodizing is a way to color metal by dipping it into an electrically charged "bath" that creates bright colors without plating or painting the surface. Niobium jewelry findings come in several anodized colors. Niobium is highly resistant to corrosion and other reactions, and is used in medical implants. Just be aware that some people are allergic to nickel, and you may not be able to sell it in the UK and EU. The relatively inexpensive cost of nickel silver compared with sterling makes it an attractive option for jewelry components. ![]() Our nickel silver wire is 65% copper, 18% nickel, and 17% zinc. While nickel is silver in color, it does not contain any sterling silver. It is a base-metal alloy of nickel, copper and zinc. Nickel silver is sometimes also called German silver. Unplated copper is usually called raw copper or bare copper. Because of copper's softness, solid copper components may bend easier than copper-plated beads and findings. Copper is a soft metal, which makes it great for wire wrapping. Copper can also discolor skin, most commonly when it is worn snugly like a finger ring or tight-fitting bracelet. It's a very reactive metal, meaning over time, it will darken and gain a patina, sometimes with a greenish hue. Another name for anti-tarnish brass is tarnish-resistant brass.Ĭopper is an elemental metal that is bright reddish-orange in color. The surfaces of raw brass items may be imperfect, and require polishing, and their finish may change with age.Īnti-tarnish brass (a proprietary alloy) looks very close to the color of 14kt gold. Raw (unplated) brass components are usually the same color as yellow ( plated) findings, although they will vary in color and may also work with gold plate. Our red brass wire is 90% copper and 10% zinc, giving it a slightly warmer color. (Do not use Win-Ox™ with aluminum!) Shop aluminum sheet and wire.īrass is an alloy of copper, zinc and sometimes other metals. To add your own custom colors to aluminum, you can use paints, Ranger alcohol inks, and Vintaj's faux patinas, but to avoid negative reactions, we strongly recommend avoiding traditional jeweler's chemicals. Although the color is durable, remember that aluminum is a soft metal: when working with anodized aluminum, take care to avoid scratching through the anodized layer. ![]() Anodizing is an electrochemical process that converts the metal surface into a durable, corrosion-resistant oxide finish. How do you color aluminum? Bright, permanent colors on aluminum are achieved through anodizing. It oxidizes the moment it comes into contact with oxygen or water! Fortunately this oxidized layer of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) immediately forms a stable layer that protects aluminum from corrosion or further oxidation. In costume jewelry, base metals are often plated with a very thin layer of gold, silver, nickel, rhodium or other metal on the surface of the bead, finding, chain or other component.Īluminum is a soft metal, making it excellent for embossing and metal stamping, as well as layering and riveting.Īluminum does not rust, nor does it take a patina with the standard chemicals normally used to darken jewelry. Base metals may be plated or raw (bare, unplated). In metal working, base metal is any metal that is not one of the noble or precious metals. To make it stronger, it is alloyed (mixed) with other elements.īase metal is a catch-all term in the jewelry industry for metals used in costume jewelry. For example, solid gold is too soft for most applications. Jewelers and engineers create alloys to change the color, melting temperature, and/or strength of elements. Alloys can be a "base" (less costly) metal, like brass, or a "precious" (more costly) metal, like sterling silver or karat gold. More about lead in jewelry components.Īlloys are mixtures of various elements. Jewelry components containing lead are generally considered safe for adults to handle and wear externally, as adults are less likely to ingest their jewelry. Lead is now known to be related to certain cognitive and health problems (especially in children), and most governments are regulating allowable amounts of lead in jewelry components, due to the dangers of children swallowing beads or other parts of their jewelry. Lead (Pb) is an element that was popular for 1,000's of years as an ingredient in casting alloys (and some other alloys) because it makes some metals softer, less brittle and/or helps them melt at lower temperatures. Examples of elements: Oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and niobium (Nb). Elements are the basic building blocks of chemistry. Jump directly to illustration of gold-fill vs. Organizers/ Storage for Jewelry Parts/ Tools.Bench Blocks, Bench Pins, Pads & Anvils.
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