I have heard of several different ways to harden sterling--such as hammering, heating, etc. What method do you use?

I use a rawhide mallet to harden wire or sheet (if you use a hammer, it will change the metal - a mallet will not affect the look of the silver), a tumbler to harden earwires and small items, and when I need hardened wire prior to forming, I pull the wire thru a polishing cloth a few times. If I need the wire really really hard, I twist it. Many times, just working with wire will harden it enough.

Heat hardening is not the norm unless you are doing alot, because it takes time (about 2hrs in an oven or kiln at 560 deg)... most people use heat to soften (anneal) silver.

Randi