Jewellery Making Using Sterling Silver Findings
Sterling silver findings are the essential components that link together the parts of a piece of jewellery and give you that professional finish. Without jewellery findings it would be very difficult to incorporate gemstones into your work, for example, or to link the ends of a simple chain and turn it into a beautiful necklace. By using silver findings, you can give your jewellery that professional look and increase the value of the finished piece.
Sterling silver is quite a soft metal, so gentle handling is required when working with silver findings. Findings come in every shape and size and can be used for practically any jewellery-making project. Silver is a particularly good metal to work with when using gemstones, as its ability to catch the light adds depth to a well-cut stone, complementing it rather than overwhelming its natural beauty.
By using a silver finding that incorporates a setting for a cabochon, the depth of the stone is emphasised by the light reflected back from the silver behind it. Silver findings can be worked and re-worked to create the desired effect, as the metal is a very ‘forgiving’ medium to work in and any mistakes can be easily rectified with a little care.
If you are working with Sterling silver findings, it is essential that you use the right equipment to avoid damaging the soft surface of the metal. Although harder than gold, silver scratches easily and a deep mark can be very difficult to polish out. Many silver findings are extremely small (such as the universal jump ring, crimp beads and sterling silver earring wires) and can be awkward to handle. By using a pair of pointed nose pliers, you can hold your jewellery findings securely and safely without exerting too much pressure on the metal and damaging it.
Silver findings are used in almost every type of jewellery – from delicate filigree work to brash and cheerful costume jewellery. Silver is eternally popular and many people prefer to wear silver jewellery for everyday use. By incorporating silver findings into your work you can turn a simple string of beads into a more complex design, giving you a unique necklace that calls attention both to the elements within it and to the wearer. Alternatively, sterling silver findings can allow the beauty of a gemstone to take precedence or for foil beads to dominate a necklace without the eye being distracted by flashy findings.
Silver findings can also be helpful to people who are allergic to nickel-plated findings, particularly in earring wires. Some people can only wear precious metal findings in their skin, as other types can cause an unpleasant allergic reaction. Sterling silver earring findings are not as expensive as you would think, so it may be good practice to use these instead of the cheaper non-silver findings to avoid any possible reaction.
Silver bracelets always look elegant and are as popular now as they have ever been. A simple band with a jewellery finding incorporated into it to hold a cabochon can make a clean, modern looking ‘watch’ style bracelet that draws attention to the gemstone rather than the band itself. The same is true for silver rings, and ring ‘blanks’ that have a claw setting in them to hold a gemstone make the perfect base for a stunning ring of any size.
Sterling silver findings are an essential part of jewellery making and should have a special place in any jewellery maker’s workbox. They’re cheap and easily available and compliment any gemstone perfectly.
About the Author
Adam Hunter – E-commerce Marketing Manager of cooksongold.com. Cookson Precious Metals offer a choice of
jewellery making supplies
from over 10,000 products including gold and
silver findings
, tools, precious metal clay and gold and silver sheet – gold, silver, platinum and palladium. Contacts: Adam Hunter E-commerce Marketing Manager Tel(DDI): +44 (0) 121 212 6491 E-mail: adam.hunter@cooksongold.com
WSITN: Makeup
| | 1992 Royal Canadian Mint 12 Silver Quarter Set w/One nickel/bronze Dollar $93.00 |
| | SILVER WAR NICKELS,4 COMPLETE SET! GREAT SETS 2 OWN 44 COINS $90.00 |
| | Vintage Indian Head Nickel Silver Turquoise Earrings Pendant Hat Pin Set $29.99 |
| | SET OF ELEVEN SILVER WAR-TIME JEFFERSON NICKELS (1942 – 1945) – ALL UNCIRCULATED $100.00 |
| | U.S. NICKEL SET,HISTORIC COINS,SILVER,1903,1905,1936,1944,2003MSEALED $25.00 |
| | Nickel Free Rhodium Plated .925 Silver Oval CZ Band Ring Set Size 5 to 10 $48.99 |
| | Nickel Free Rhodium Plated .925 Silver Oval CZ Band Ring Set Size 5 to 10 $48.99 |
| | Nickel Free Rhodium Plated .925 Silver Oval CZ Band Ring Set Size 5 to 10 $48.99 |
| | Nickel Free Rhodium Plated .925 Silver Oval CZ Band Ring Set Size 5 to 10 $48.99 |
| | Nickel Free Rhodium Plated .925 Silver Oval CZ Band Ring Set Size 5 to 10 $48.99 |
| | Nickel Free Rhodium Plated .925 Silver Oval CZ Band Ring Set Size 5 to 10 $48.99 |
| | Yehudi Violin Strings 4/4 Full Size Set G,D,A,E Ball Ends Nickel Silver Wound $1.25 |
| | WW II set: Steel Penny, SILVER Nickel, Dime, Quarter, Half Dollar $15.00 |
| | 1942, 1943, 1944 WAR NICKEL SILVER SET BU $190.00 |
| | VERY NICE WORLD WAR II SILVER NICKEL SET 11 JEFFERSON NICKELS SET 5C TF17 $22.49 |
| | Nickel Free 925 Silver Pink & Clear CZ Prong Set Eternity Band Ring Size 5 to 10 $30.99 |
| | Nickel Free 925 Silver Pink & Clear CZ Prong Set Eternity Band Ring Size 5 to 10 $30.99 |
| | New 100 Sets 3/8″ Open Ring No Sew Snaps Fasteners Nickel Silver 7day $0.99 |
| | New 1″ Silver Nickel plated Key Fob Hardware Chain Wristlet DIY 50 Set $0.99 |
| | 20 Sets 3/8″ Open Ring No Sew Snaps Fasteners Nickel stud attaching Mix Color $4.99 |
| | Nickel Free 925 Silver Aqua & Clear CZ Prong Set Eternity Band Ring Size 5 to 10 $30.99 |
| | Nickel Free 925 Silver Aqua & Clear CZ Prong Set Eternity Band Ring Size 5 to 10 $30.99 |
| | Nickel Free 925 Silver Aqua & Clear CZ Prong Set Eternity Band Ring Size 5 to 10 $30.99 |
| | Nickel Free 925 Silver Aqua & Clear CZ Prong Set Eternity Band Ring Size 5 to 10 $30.99 |
| | Nickel Free 925 Silver Aqua & Clear CZ Prong Set Eternity Band Ring Size 5 to 10 $30.99 |
| | Nickel Free 925 Silver Aqua & Clear CZ Prong Set Eternity Band Ring Size 5 to 10 $30.99 |
| | BRAND NEW DAZZLING 2 PIECE NICKEL CANDLEHOLDER SET $39.99 |
| | Vintage 3 piece Solid Nickel Silver Buckle Set, Slightly Used Ranger Style Belt $29.99 |
| | 1957 Jefferson Nickel Proof Superb Gem+ from Original Silver Set R261 $6.00 |
| | Casino token 4 One Dollar Nickel Silver Paris Las Vegas First Issue Coin Set $9.95 |
| | Burnished Silver Tone Wite Ball Clear Rhinestone Lead & Nickel Compliant set $16.99 |
| | Burnished Silver Tone Wite Ball Clear Rhinestone Lead & Nickel Compliant set $16.99 |
| | 1982 Seven Coin Nickel / Silver Proof Set with COA $40.50 |
| | 1980 Seven Coin Nickel / Silver Proof Set with COA $36.99 |
| | 1983 Seven Coin Nickel / Silver Proof Set with COA $40.50 |
| | 1984 Seven Coin Nickel / Silver Proof Set with COA $44.50 |
| | 1988 Seven Coin Nickel / Silver Proof Set with COA $47.50 |
| | 1989 Seven Coin Nickel / Silver Proof Set with COA $51.00 |
| | 1990 Seven Coin Nickel / Silver Proof Set with COA $52.00 |
| | 1991 Seven Coin Nickel / Silver Proof Set with COA $83.00 |
| | 4 Coin Proof Set 1963 Nickel & Penny, 1972 Quarter & Dime Fathers Day Gift $6.00 |
| | 2005 VE Day Proof Silver Nickel 5 Cent & Medallion Set $12.95 |
| | 2005 VE Day Proof Silver Nickel 5 Cent & Set LOT of 10 $109.95 |
| | BRAND NEW GORGEOUS NICKEL 9″ TWO PIECE CANDLEHOLDER SET $47.99 |
| | NEW GORGEOUS NICKEL 12″ TWO PIECE CANDLEHOLDER SET $39.99 |
| | Nickel Free 4mm Heart CZ .925 Silver Back Post Stud Earrings Set of 7 Colors CZ $27.99 |
| | Rossetti ALTO Saxophone Nickel sax+CASE NEW silver set $319.95 |
| | ANTIQUE VINTAGE NICKEL SILVER SERVING SPOON & FORK SET $22.99 |
| | 1957 Washington Quarter Proof Superb Gem+ from Original Silver Set R249 $29.00 |
| | JEFFERSON WWII 35% SILVER NICKEL SET $7.98 |
| | JEFFERSON WWII 35% SILVER NICKEL SET $7.98 |
| | JEFFERSON WWII 35% SILVER NICKEL SET $7.98 |
| | JEFFERSON WWII 35% SILVER NICKEL SET $7.98 |
| | JEFFERSON WWII 35% SILVER NICKEL SET $7.98 |
| | 14mm THIN Magnetic Snaps Purse Nickel silver 50sets $8.99 |
| | INDIAN HEAD PENNY – COPPER NICKEL SET – 1859 TO 1864 – 6 COINS ~ NR ~ $33.00 |
| | 2005-S US MINT SILVER Proof Set w/ 5 State Quarters and Exclusive Comm Nickels $55.99 |
| | TG™ Competitor Nickel Silver Dart Set – 3 Pack $29.99 |
| | Burnished Silver Tone Wite Ball Clear Rhinestone Lead & Nickel Compliant set $16.99 |
| | Burnished Silver Tone Wite Ball Clear Rhinestone Lead & Nickel Compliant set $16.99 |
| | Burnished Silver Tone Wite Ball Clear Rhinestone Lead & Nickel Compliant set $16.99 |
| | Burnished Silver Tone Wite Ball Clear Rhinestone Lead & Nickel Compliant set $16.99 |
| | Burnished Silver Tone Wite Ball Clear Rhinestone Lead & Nickel Compliant set $16.99 |
| | Burnished Silver Tone Wite Ball Clear Rhinestone Lead & Nickel Compliant set $16.99 |
| | Burnished Silver Tone Wite Ball Clear Rhinestone Lead & Nickel Compliant set $16.99 |
| | 2005 VE Day Proof Silver Nickel 5 Cent & Set LOT of 10 $108.11 |
| | COMPLETE SET OF ALL 11 JEFFERSON SILVER WAR NICKELS…….NO RESERVE $20.65 |
| | 2005 VE Day Proof Silver Nickel 5 Cent & Medallion Set $12.73 |
| | JEFFERSON SILVER NICKELS WAR SET 11 COINS LOT $12.00 |
| | Bachmann E-Z Train Track Curved 18″ Radius Set of 5, Nickel Silver, Gray Roadbed $4.00 |
| | RALPH LAUREN METAL BLAZER BUTTON SET 24/36 NICKEL/SILVER 12P A $20.00 |
| | Big Lot BELT BUCKLES + TIPS + KEEPERS Sets BRASS, SILVER, NICKEL Vintage Western $44.99 |
| | SET OF 11 NICKEL SILVER SPOONS W.M. ROGERS PAT MAR 1920 ALMOST ANTIQUE NICKEL $12.00 |
| | 2005 VE Day Proof Silver Nickel 5 Cent & Medallion Set $12.95 |
| | 2005 VE Day Proof Silver Nickel 5 Cent & Set LOT of 10 $109.95 |
| | (M315-D) classic Ludwig DRUM SET KEY CHAIN SILVER-nickel RING keychain drums $21.74 |
| | 1993 Jefferson Silver Coin & Currency US Mint Set $2 Note Matte Proof Nickel $75.00 |
| | Andrea by Sadek Set 4 Silver Nickel Pineapple Fruit Napkin Rings 19352 New $27.99 |
| | Nickel Free 4mm Star CZ .925 Silver Back Post Stud Earrings Set of 7 Colors CZ $24.99 |
| | **FREE SHIPPING**2 LAMP SET** 29″ BRUSHED NICKEL RETRO SILVER TABLE LAMPS SHADES $112.49 |
