Ok, so, I tried to do some pieces on the cheap, guys...granted, against all I've read. Nevertheless, here's what happened. I "cleaned" 'em in a solution of baking soda and lemon and did the "egg" thang...Look at what happened to them!!!




The 26ga wire turned almost immediately, but, the 18ga wasn't touched!!! I left it in there for almost an hour. I havta (pleez) believe it's truly silver, 'cause (1) it cost enough; and (2) it was from the same place (ArtBeads), which is a good supplier.

Could it be just that the egg "thang" isn't good enough for the 18ga, or could it be the fact that this DID sit around in the air quite abit (in shows and what not) and really needed a GOOD cleaning other than the soda/lemon solution? Of course, I'm pretty bummed and feel like a [censored] [D)] !!!

elly

Just bumpin' this for beans...

elly

ArtBeads buys someof it's wire from a findings manufacturer who uses an anti-tarnish process that leaves a layer of pure silver on their wire.

Mystery solved.
Might this get me off your black list, Elly?

OMG...what are you tellin' me, john? pleez elaborate....if I buy from you, I can oxidize my pieces, then? Geez, I had no idea...I am really bummed out...

elly

(p.s. - I'm ready to send a SCATHING letter to Artbeads about this, btw...aarrggghhh...I'm SO irritated!!! [:O] [V] )

Strange, I just saw this same info on artbeads today. I never noticed b/4 that they have an anti-oxidizing agent on many of their silver supplies. It seems that at least some of the time it's only a plated layer, so you may be able to lightly go over the metal w/ a fine abrasive (like 3M sanding papers) to remove the plating and allow the oxidizing to take place.

Hope this helps!

Jeni

If I do, monster (john) you'll have to help me out a bit...I searched on "wire" and it brought up tons of stuff. I clicked on "plain sterling wire" ...ok, ok...I get it...GOT IT!!! thanx...so, you don't "coat" your wire with anything? that's a good thang, fer chur.

elly

QUOTE: Originally posted by SterlingMaiden Strange, I just saw this same info on artbeads today. I never noticed b/4 that they have an anti-oxidizing agent on many of their silver supplies. It seems that at least some of the time it's only a plated layer, so you may be able to lightly go over the metal w/ a fine abrasive (like 3M sanding papers) to remove the plating and allow the oxidizing to take place. Hope this helps! Jeni

PAH! Welp, that'd be nice to know BEFORE I had done so many pendants in their wire, Jeni, eh? i am SO bummed out about this!!! I intend to write them a SCATHING letter about it, as they did not reveal this, initially. Where did you find this information, btw? I'd be very interested in that! Evidently, they don't apply this "agent" to their 24-26 ga wire....

elly

I was surprised, too, and hadn't seen it b/4 today. It was in tiny print off to the right and bottom of a bulk chain description. I don't like to find that sort of thing out later, either.

It's not a terrible thing, though. Plating is usually thin enough to take off w/ sanding papers, and is probably worth a try. Even better, try playing this up as an advantage: take the plating off only certain areas or in pattern w/ etching tools or scratching w/ a sharp point. You could do some really neat patina designs that way w/o all the extra work of shining the rest of the piece up.

Don't dispair! :)

Jeni

Welp, Jeni, at least I only experimented on some small pieces that didn't mean a whole lot....(woo! thank the gawds in the heavens above!). As far as trying to take the plate off in certain areas? take a look at these pieces...man, the swirlies pretty much would require some very intense "scratching" or "etching," eh? to get into those crevices...aarrgghhh!!! [banghead] I think I'll go ahead and give Mr. Monster a shot (how 'bout THAT, john??? [:)] ) As well as return the wire I got from Artbeads, as it wasn't as advertised, as far as I'm concerned!!!

elly

What I'm telling you is that the larger wire has had an anti-tarnish layer of pure silver on the surface and this treatment is specific to that particular manufacturer's finishing process. Several of the chain and findings manufacturers do this. Some of these findings manufacturers also sell spooled wire with this type of coating to ArtBeads and others as a side line.
There is no copper in pure silver so this wire will not oxidize or take an oxidizer anywhere near close to the degree that the sterling surface of an uncoated wire will. It is a "tarnish resistant" selling point for the findings made with the wire with this type of finish. The finish on this type of wire can look milky sometimes or it can be pretty shiny and good looking but the finish is usually is no where as nice as wire that has been die polished.
The method used to anneal wire back to dead soft after drawing it to size is also important and some leave a much cleaner surface than others.
Most larger wires from anywhere you buy it are not, and not intended to be, polished. Some companies do a better job at finishing than others. Some do a better job at just some shapes and sizes than others too.
Customers of small wires that are intended for wrapping want smooth and polished. This is what I mean when I say we are very picky and try hard to have "pretty" wire for sale.

Well, bottom line, john...if I buy from you, can I oxidize my 16, 18 or 20 ga wire? thanx....

elly

QUOTE: Originally posted by eljbabette I think I'll go ahead and give Mr. Monster a shot (how 'bout THAT, john??? [:)] ) elly

Cool, I'm glad I'm off the black list.
But now we'll be under the gun to do an exceptionally good job.
I don't want any letters ... other than 'thank you' notes!

QUOTE: Originally posted by eljbabette As well as return the wire I got from Artbeads, as it wasn't as advertised, as far as I'm concerned!!! [:)] ) elly

There is a possibility ArtBeads won't have any idea what you are talking about.
I learned about the coating only because I specifically questioned the salesman about the finish on the wire he had to offer and that was only a few days ago so it was still fresh in my head.
As soon as I read your post I knew what was going on.

Well, there is always something to learn ...
At least now you can sleep tonight understanding the cause of your problem and how to fix/prevent it.

JAF

QUOTE: Originally posted by eljbabette Well, bottom line, john...if I buy from you, can I oxidize my 16, 18 or 20 ga wire? thanx.... elly

Yes, Elly, but stay away from the 28 Ga Rd HH we're selling in pre packaged one ounce spools as it might also be fine silver coated. I'll have to find out.
It's from another findings house and was the first 28 Ga I bought before I decided to go whole hog and custom order 28 Ga and 30 Ga on regular 50 & 100 oz bulk spools.
All our round wire (except for that one size/temper) is refined and fabricated by one company in the USA. It took them a while to learn how but now their round wire is as good or better looking and anyone's. From what I understand, we are their biggest customer and they also know to not even attempt to deliver wire with a sub-standard finish.

Edit: FYI
Be wary of [b}any[/b] small sterling wire that is sold in pre-packaged one or five ounce spools as it is most likely made by one of the chain or findings manufacturers and could possibly be fine silver plated.
This is because these outfits already have fancy spooling equipment to provide that service and due to the thin diameter saves the dealer a lot of trouble handling the wire.
We are currently looking at setting up our own spooling machine and I'm looking at spools ... the larger diameter type that fishing line comes on looks about right.
Right now, we and most other supply houses re-spool the wire by hand cranking it on a custom made spooling frame.

Yes, indeed...I will sleep contently now, john...thank you [zzz] I didn't like our little skirmish, anyways...(never a good thang...). I have always wondered (maybe you've already answered this question) where the hay did you get that dang name from? It sound so, just, so ominous...yikes! Are you a "head bang-er" from way back (or a Blessingway follower, Dungeons & Dragons?), er what? heh heh heh

elly

Ok, welp, what my focal is 18 ga wire right now, john...That is what I use, mainly, in my pendants...(hey, now that we know each other {friendlies?}, do I get a discount? hehehee....heck, I really only can afford to order in small quantities, right now...but! When my biz gets off the ground...well...ya never know, eh??? YOU could be my MAJOR SUPPLIER!!! woo! woo! (didya see my post in the Bead Talk section? I'm gunna need mo, mo, mo!!! )

elly