Working with sterling silver

[hondryjewelry]

Is 20 gauge sterling silver wire (dead soft) harder to work with than 20 gauge nickel silver wire (dead soft)?

What about argentium wire 20 gauge dead soft? Is that harder to work with than either of the above mentioned wire?

I want to know becuase I got asked to do jewelry for a wedding and I want to know if I will be able to work with either wire to make pieces ( I don't have enough time before the wedding to fool with a new wire if it's too difficult to work with)

Memory wire is difficult to use; sterling silver and argentium aren't like that, are they?

I have only worked with memory wire and nickel silver.

Any info on what it's like to work with sterling silver or argentium wire (pros, cons, etc.) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much!!

[Former_Member]

Sterling silver is wonderful - slightly springy-er than copper, softer than brass, NOTHING like memory wire. Argentium, from what I've heard, has pretty much the same qualities as Sterling - it is recommended for pieces you want to remain bright and un-tarnished. If oyu are planning on oxidizing, use sterling. Any other questions, adn you can convo me, : )

[willajunejewelry]

I agree completely with Laura. Also, many people have allergies to nickel silver, and much less do with sterling, that's always something to consider.

[Former_Member]

I think most people will prefer the sterling... good quality dead soft SS wire is great to work with and probably not that much more expensive. You will have no problems!

[hondryjewelry]

Thanks guys!! Any place I find wire sterling silver is expensive. Any suggestions on a good place to buy it?

[ForgedMettleJewelry]

I buy all my wire from Rio Grande and silver price has actually been pretty low the past couple days so stock up on it now.

[Former_Member]

I buy from Altamont in California.
I sue 16, 18, and 20 gauge dead soft wire, plus the new argetium(spelling) wire too in all the same gauges. Plus, 16, 18, 20 and 22 in dead soft gold filled. (Half hard I would use for ear ring wires or twisted components linked together.)

I wish to heck i would bought a bus load of all of it when it in 2007.

[hondryjewelry]

Thanks Amy, Rio Grande is SO MUCH CHEAPER than firemountaingems. You saved me a lot of money :)