Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
February 04, 2010

Question:

Your answer concerning the length of pattern wire (6in.) was quite enlightening, however, you failed to tell us where we can get longer pieces. Is it available at Wire-Sculpture? I haven’t been able to find it to order on-line.

Answer:

Yes! You asked and they listened. Wire-Sculpture now has seven styles of sterling silver pattern wire available in 3-foot lengths (only one in gold-filled, but it’s so pricey!) Check out the silver choices: http://wire-sculpture.com/silver-pattern-wire-1.html

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
January 30, 2010

Question:

Lately my liquid Sterling Silver cleaner is not doing its job very well – it fails to remove all the tarnish.  Is it possible that by using the Sunshine (yellow) cleaning cloths (which leave a slight residue to protect against future tarnish) I am actually coating the Silver – thus preventing the liquid cleaner from working properly??

Answer:

It is possible. Try totally strip cleaning your silver by using a paste made of baking soda and water and a soft cloth or toothbrush. Rinse well afterward and when necessary, try your liquid silver cleaner again. If it still does not work, discard it.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
January 19, 2010

Question:

In July I sold a piece of silver.  Three weeks later the customer returned the piece and to my amazement it was black.  I re-tumbled the piece and it was restored to its original condition.  What are your thoughts on what chemical or perfume substance could have cause this to occur?  The piece is still bright and shinny with no signs of tarnish.

Answer:

OK, the only culprit I know of that can cause serious tarnish so quickly is chlorine. If the customer wore her sterling silver in a pool or vacationed and took a shower where a large amount of chlorine is added to the water, this would turn sterling black about immediately. Using a tumbler to clean the piece again is great, but is it also being polished at the same time? Polish would coat the piece and add a certain amount of limited protection.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
January 04, 2010

Question:

I’m so new to wire that I don’t even know what “pattern” wire is or what one would use it for.  Could you clarify this for me?

Answer:

Pattern wire is made by using a rolling mill to produce thinner and textured metal sheet and/or wire. The metal/wire is inserted into the mill and as it is rolled through two wheels (one or both of which have a pattern on them) the pattern is embossed into the metal/wire. Most studio jewelers use a hand-cranked mill and refineries use an automated one. To view samples of gold-filled pattern wire:  http://wire-sculpture.com/gold-pattern-wire-1.html View samples of sterling silver pattern wire: http://wire-sculpture.com/silver-pattern-wire-1.html

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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