German silver is an alloy and is very sturdy and durable. Many silvers or pewters are alloys so it is important to find out before you string your wares as you do not want to mislead people. That is the beauty of making quality jewelry that you can brag about because you have used quality materials in your completed project. If you have been online you know you can buy jewelry very cheaply but it either will fall apart or corrode with use. Most cheap jewelry is made up of pewter or copper and filler. Therefore, a sharp tug will break your necklace or bracelet or the metal will stain your skin because of brass or copper added. 

German Silver seems like it is mostly used in the melting process with other metals.

German silver has been around since the 1800’s. It is a silver-white alloy, hard and tough, but malleable. It contains nickel, copper, and zinc and was originally made from copper slag at Henneberg, Germany. A small amount of iron is sometimes used to make it whiter and harder. It is the same as the Chinese alloy called packfong. It was formerly used as tableware, knife handles, frames, cases, bearings of machinery, etc.

German Silver is essentially used to make jewelry because of its hardness and resistance to corrosion. Silvercraft in german silver includes armlets, anklets, bracelets, earrings, chokers, necklaces, chain  and jewelry sets. These are also used to craft articles such as tableware, marine fittings and plumbing fixtures. Because of its high electrical resistance it is used in heating coils.

I have not yet used German Silver in my jewelry making. It is less expensive but hard to find in bead shops unless it is just a bead or two. I prefer being able to brag that I use sterling silver or antique silver beads at this time. But I thought the information was interesting.

more another day…

Wiki German Silver
What is nickel silver?

Example #1

Example #2

 

Dichroic glass caught my attention when looking for beads in those humongous bead shows I used to go to in San Diego. The iridescence of the glass made it mesmerizing to view. I bought a few beads that were quite expensive, not knowing the process was such a lengthy one to make them.

A friend and I went to a bead shop in Ocean View that taught dichroic glass and they showed us how to make pendants in small kilns. It was fascinating. Apparently the dichroic glass  is very expensive. We mixed it with regular stained glass pieces. It took about an hour to heat in the kilns and another hour before we could touch it and work with it. I would love to try it again someday maybe in my own studio.

The last show I went to in Escondido, I bought several pendants to use that were already framed in silver. They cost about $25. each. He does not sell on the internet which is really too bad since I am now on the wrong coast to find him again.

Dichroic Fused Glass has more than one color, especially when viewed from different angles. It is made up of metals that fuse together during the baking process. It is very iridescent like beetles wings or butterfly wings or even oil on water. It seems to shimmer and shake when you move it.

Apparently the process has been around since the Egyptians.  Other examples can be found here.

The one necklace I have on view currently has a dichroic glass bead in the center. I have others I hope to get posted soon.

Chery

Red Swarovski cut crystal beads, dichroic glass, gold filled beads and clasp. 18″ Necklace & Earrings strung by Chery.

Swarovski cut crystal beads, carnelian, cracked glass, aventurine, seed beads, silver clasp. 16″ Necklace & Carnelian Earrings strung by Chery.