TierraCast beads and jewelry components are made with Britannia pewter alloy which is certified lead-free culinary grade pewter.

This is then electroplated with various metals to create the finished piece. Ordinary plated jewelry components are notorious for wearing or rubbing off, leaving the base below exposed, electroplated finishes are much thicker and more durable, and will easily withstand reasonable wear and tear.

TierraCast beads, findings and jewelry components have antiqued finishes to bring out the detail. Some pieces are not antiqued and have a brighter appearance.

Antique Gold and Bright Gold finishes are electroplated with 22k quality Gold Plate. This finish will not tarnish.

Antique Copper finish are plated with genuine copper, topped with a tarnish stopping metals. This finish will not tarnish (or make your skin turn green).

Antique Rhodium and Bright Rhodium finishes are electroplated with Rhodium. Rhodium is a metal in the platinum family, and is scratch resistant and does not tarnish. These finishes are a slightly darker grey than the Antique and Bright Silver finishes, but they blend well with sterling components.

Antique Silver and Bright Silver finishes are electroplated with pure silver (also called “fine silver” or “.999silver”). These finishes look exactly like sterling silver. These finishes, like sterling silver components, are susceptible to tarnish. However, they can be cleaned with a soft jewelry cloth or with a gentle liquid cleaner. TierraCast

TierraCast – Where To Buy

http://www.tierracast.com largeholebeads

UK

http://www.jbsbeads.co.uk

Thebeadstore.co.uk

Spellbound Beads

Beadsisters

USA

Lytha Studios

Diva Beads

Beadaholique

Beyond Beadery

Artbeads

Mimisgems

Arrow Springs

Beadwholesaler

Argentium Sterling Silver is a modern sterling silver alloy which modifies the traditional alloy (92.5% silver + 7.5% copper) by replacing some of the copper with Germanium. As it retains the same 92.5% silver content, it is still sterling silver.

 Germanium is a crystalline semi-metallic element which is found naturally in small amounts in silver, copper and zinc ores, as well as in the mineral, germanite. The germanium forms an invisible film on the surface of silver alloy. This film prevents oxygen from reaching any tarnishable metals, such as copper, employed to harden the pure silver.

 Germanium was discovered to impart the following properties to sterling silver:

1. High tarnish resistance(An excellent selling point for your silver jewellery)
2. Firescale elimination
3. Increased ductility
4. Increased thermal and electrical resistance (making alloys suitable for welding and laser forming)
5. Environmental advantages (associated with not having to remove or plate over firescale)

 The absence of firescale eliminates time-consuming steps required by the silversmith when working with sterling silver

Argentium Silver is the result of research begun in 1990 and perfected in 1996 by Peter Johns at the School of Art & Design, Middlesex University, England. The University owns the patent and licenses its production. Argentium Silver is patented and trademarked by Argentium Silver Company, UK..

As for working with Argentium Sterling, artisans who forge and weld sterling need to be aware of certain differences between Argentium and traditional sterling silver (e.g. lower melting point), but those who merely incorporate Argentium findings or wire into their jewelry will not find it any different to work with. 

 Argentium wire it is a bit stiffer than sterling silver. So if you make wirework jewellery it is recommended you use dead soft Argentium wire.

 Links about Argentium silver:

Official website:

• http://www.argentiumsilver.com/availability/suppliers
• http://www.argentiumsilver.com/availability
• http://www.argentiumsilver.info/index.php/questions-answers
• Email: info@argentiumsilver.com

 Useful links:

• http://www.argentiumsilverfindings.com/index1.html
• http://www.gsgold.com/cart/idxargentiumssmillproductsandfindings.asp
• http://argentiumfindings.com/
•  Argentium silver findings and wire from Rings & Things
• http://www.thebeadman.com/JRargentium.html

                                                                                                                                                                                        This weeks feature is on Beadwork: find all about beadwork weaves

and stitches from Emma Warrillow, an Australian living in England

and has been beading for many years; as well as beadwork she has

dabbled in wirework and bead stringing.

Visit her Website/blog:   http://glitterglowbeading.com/

 Gallery: http://glitterglowbeading.com/?page_id=389

Learn how to do netted beadwork, peyote stitch, brick, herringbone as well as

right and left angled weaves, (scroll down the page to ‘Learn Beadwork Links’ )  

http://www.squidoo.com/learnbeadwork

 Free Beading Tutorials          http://glitterglowbeading.com/?page_id=380

Beading Forums and Groups      

http://glitterglowbeading.com/?page_id=385

 Beading Book Authors and Their Books     

http://glitterglowbeading.com/?page_id=378

This weeks feature is on Polymer Clay; find all about Polymer Clay Bead Making withTips, Pics and Tutorials by Cindy Lietz from Canada.

Visit her blog :http://www.polymerclaytutor.com
Polymer Clay Bead Making Tips, Pics and Tutorials by Cindy
Lietz… “I learned by making the mistakes… Now you don’t
have to.”

Visit her Website below:
By subscribing to Cindy Lietz’s email newsletter at
http://www.beadsandbeading.com/ you will receive 3 free polymer clay bead making videos plus weekly color recipe cards.