Daily Wire Tip Nov. 24: Metal Beads for Ear Wraps
Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
November 24, 2010
Question:
My daughter is allergic to most metals. I want to make her a pair of ear wraps for Christmas. I have some niobium wire. Is there anything better, and is there anything but glass available in silver colored beads?
-Kay in Crowley, Texas
Answer:
Kay, my daughter is also allergic to about every metal out there, so I can really relate to your challenge. My solution is to use Argentium® wire and for the silver bead choice, do an Internet search for “Argentium beads”; they are available, however, Wire-Sculpture does not yet carry them.
Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong
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allergy, argentium, beads, ear wraps, earrings, Jewelry Making Wire, metal beads, Niobium
Filed under:Daily Wire Jewelry Tips‚ Project Help‚ Wire & Wire Wrapping
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Is there a comparable solution for gold?
Michele
Michele, I make my daughter’s gold-filled earrings on Argentium wires : )
Hi Kay
I am also very sensitive to metals and the one that I have found to be good is the Artistic Wire. I am supposing I don’t get a reaction is because the wire is coated with enamel. That is how it was explained to me. So now I get to make my ear hooks and am able to wear them for hours.. and I have even slept in them .. to see what would happen. I use the 18 gauge… keeps its shape really well. Hope this info helps you.
Can’t you use sterling silver wire?
San, sterling silver contains copper and sometimes nickel and/or zinc – metals that a lot of folks are allergic to.
I’m sensitive to nickel as well. I can only wear sterling for a short while and my ears are very sore. I dip ALL my own jewelry in (yeah, sounds stupid) a Mop-N-Glow generic called Mop-N-Shine. It puts on an acrylic coating that lasts and lasts. Don’t dip shiny beads or stones in it as it dries blotchy and ugly. It can only be cleaned off with ammonia. Porous stones strengthen. I dip all my low end turquoise in it too. Makes chalk look like a much better grade and it doesn’t break as easily.
So whether you think this is a professional thing to do or not, it works for me.
Thanks Casey!
I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving day tomorrow!!
Lori I love the artistic wire also, but 18ga is a huge gauge for most peoples piercings. I find that personally I cannot even use 20ga. All of mine are 21.
Thanks for all the great ideas! I too have sensitivities but would have never thought of using Artistic Wire – I have a load that I use everywhere else in my jewelry. Oh boy, now I can make blue or green or red earwires!
Hi all, I’ve heard fine silver (99%) silver is also good to use for those with allergies. Some people are also having good luck with titanium and niobium, both reactive metals which can be anodized to produce pretty colors. Keep on trying until you find what works best for you.