Thursday, November 21VintageJewelrySupplies.com

Tag: raw brass

Pendant Lesson
Free Jewelry Making Lessons

Pendant Lesson

Functional elements such as bails and clasps are required for every project to make the piece wearable. Consider a pendant without a bail for example. The pendant would not face forward if you simply threaded a ribbon or chain through it's loop. Standard loops are attached to the top of the setting or stamping with the hole facing the same way as the setting, so a bail is needed to join the chain to the pendant loop. A bail is often the least attractive component in an otherwise fabulous design. A pretty pendant is missing something if only a simple large rather ugly jump ring is used as a bail. Failing to consider the style of these elements can ruin the balance of an otherwise beautiful piece of jewelry. Every part should complement the main focal point. As in architecture and ...
Understanding Plating
Free Jewelry Making Lessons

Understanding Plating

Plating makes all the difference. Many suppliers attempt to convince you that raw brass items are acceptable for use in jewelry making projects. Brass is a metal alloy, composed of a solid solution of zinc, dissolved into an element of copper. Raw brass, natural brass, pure brass; whatever the term used, has sharp uneven edges from the stamping process which creates the design.  It will stain your skin and sometimes your clothes greenish black. Also keep in mind that it will darken to a very unattractive color as it is exposed over time to air and your skin oils. This photo shows you how raw brass ages over time. Raw brass is a wonderful light weight base, but it should be professionally plated to have the look and feel desirable for jewelry. It is very expensive to have pla...