[Jewelry making - Article 00405] - [Orchid] Does sterling silver ever rust?

[dsal]

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    I'm mainly a lurker on the list.  I am a beader (primarily a
    portrait bead embroiderer), and do not do any silversmithing or
    bench work. 

    Simply put: does solid sterling .925 ever rust?  I bought some
    "sterling" beads from a vendor at the Whole Bead show. Most of the
    beads are fabulous, but I have one "unusual strand." The design of
    the bead in question looks like this: each end looks gently crimped,
    so there are little folds in the silver. When the beads are strung
    together, they kind of nestle together. I used a few of these beads
    in a bracelet, and a few drops of water splashed onto them. Lo and
    behold, rust has formed near the crimpy ends.  I don't know how to
    prove it is rust, but it looks like rust (as opposed to tarnish). My
    hubby took a close look at them, and agreed that it looks like rust,
    but might take them to work to view under a microscope or something. 
    (He works in manufacturing and they examine their parts under special
    equipment.) 

    Is your guess that I got ripped off on this strand? 

Thanks,
Donna

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