[Jewelry making - Article 00090] - Re: [Orchid] Differences in Silver

[Beth Rosengard]

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>     Could someone explain the differences in these three metals.  And
>     is nickel plated metal good or bad. 

    Hi Donna, Fine silver is pure silver, basically 99.9% pure. 
    Sterling silver and .925 silver are the same thing -- sterling is 925
    parts out of 1000 parts fine silver and 75 parts copper.   The copper
    gives the alloy strength (and also makes it subject to fire scale
    when heated :-).  No plating is good or bad in itself:  It depends on
    the use to which the metal will be put and whether or not the plating
    is disclosed to the buyer.  Nickel plating does two things: gives a
    silvery finish and prevents oxidation.  It has its purposes, but
    would never be used in fine jewelry. 

    Beth  

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