[Jewelry making - Article 00339] - Re: [Orchid] Highend beaded creations

[Veronica Kubat]

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    I would like to very respectfully reply to your posting. First, let
    me say your creations are absolutely inspiring! I love the volume and
    delicacy I see at the same time. 

    As for your question about which gold to use for the chain and
    headpins, etc., since gold is so expensive, keep in mind that the
    bulk of your materials that are actually seen and appreciated seems
    to be the crystals and bead/pearls, etc., and not the chain so much.
    In my very humble and sincere opinion, I wouldn't use anything more
    than 14k. It's standard, doesn't tarnish, and the amount of actual
    metal that is seen doesn't warrant anything higher than that to give
    the appearance of glamor and richness. If you have more gold visible
    on your finished pieces, then I would certainly opt for the color of
    gold (usually meaning higher karat gold for a richer color)
    preference for the piece I was making. I would love to work with 18k
    gold or some of the colored golds. I've used 14k gold fill with
    crystals and it's beautiful. But if the major visual is the
    additions to the gold, I would play those up and not the gold. Just
    a thought. 

    I do understand the problem with using silver. It's a pain. I've
    done similar work with silver and crystals (by far not nearly as
    wonderful as what you have accomplished) and have actually used the
    liquid stuff that you dip flatware into. I've dipped my pieces,
    crystals and all, and they come out beautiful. It's just corrosive
    enough to be a problem if it's done often,but it doesn't seem to
    effect the crystals (even the AB) at all on very occasional use. I
    don't think it should be done as a regular cleaning, though, which
    takes us back to how do you clean the silver in such intricate
    pieces. It might be interesting to actually blacken all the silver
    and use very bright crystals for a different look. Then you can use
    silver and not have to worry about the cleaning or tarnishing. The
    blue is exceptionally lovely with the blackened silver, especially
    if the crystals have a silver AB finish. 

    My two cents. 

Veronica
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