Silver wire use in beads

Dianne Gleaton · #1 2012-07-04, 7:37pm

Ok, I have tried using 28g and 30g sterling silver wire wrapped and melted into beads. If I encase, sometimes it is nice shiny silver, sometimes not. With no encasement, them come out greyish, no shine. What am I doing wrong? What can I do to bring the shine up? TIA, Dianne

I see so many beads with such a nice shine to them, I want that look please.

clan tabby · #2 2012-07-04, 7:47pm

It's not sterling that is used to melt into beads, but .999 fine silver. It comes in lots of different gauges & I'm pretty sure it is carried by most lampworking supply places. I think some lampworkers buff the silver or tumble the beads for a bit to make the silver especially shiny, but I've never done that.

Deb Hopeful Journeys · #3 2012-07-04, 8:54pm

Here is where I bought mine and it is a good price and size.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/10199829...ilver-wire-for

*Naos* · #4 2012-07-04, 9:00pm

Must be FINE silver, not sterling.

www.howacoglass.com is where I get mine - 30G

I prefer 30G. It sits fairly flush to the glass and has a nice shine and the dots aren't too big. Larger guages can ball up into dots too large, which an actually be picked off the glass or cause tiny cracks where they are embedded. Going smaller, depending on the glass you use, can actually be nearly absorbed by the glass and looks similar to using heavy foil so I would use foil if you want the dusted look of a smaller guage.