Plated wire and memory wire questions

[slackner]

Hi there,

I have a few quick questions about the memory wire, memory wire ends, and regular plated wire in your catalog.  Are the silver and gold plated memory wire and memory wire ends nickel-free?  On a similar note, what is the silver and gold plated wire (non-memory wire) plated over?  Would it be safe for folks with a nickel-allergy?  If these wires aren't nickel-free, is there a company that does sell nickel-free memory wire? 

Thanks!

[Russ Nobbs]

Hi!
Welcome to our forums!!!

We will have to do a little research to fully answer your question. I'm in Tucson this week but others back in Spokane will check the details to answer. Knuth's Jeweler's Resource book has alloy information on many commonly used jewelry metals. Memory wire is heat treated steel which does contain nickel. However, a memory wire bracelet is covered with beads so that the wire does not touch the skin. The wire itself should not cause a problem.

The gold and silver plated European Craft wire is brass based. Some alloys of brass contain nickel. White Nickel Silver is an example of a white brass containing nickel but no silver (despite the name.) The yellow brass used for the gold and silver plated  Craft wire probably does not  have accessible nickel to cause problems for nickel sensitive people.

I'll ask my staff to check on the wire ends and on the availability of nickel free memory wire.

I should mention that "nickel free" does not mean that it contains zero nickel. It means that the nickel is locked into the structure of the metal in such a way that very minimal amounts of nickel ions can migrate to the surface of the material to irritate the skin. The European standard nickel free material is qualified by measuring the nickel ions available.

[JoeH]

Hello Slackner,

I am attempting to contact the factory to answer your question with certainty.  Currently the factory is closed due to the massive snowstorm on the east coast.  I will try to get you an answer as soon as possible.

Joe

[JoeH]

I have just received information for the factory.

 "Stainless Steel Memory Wire is made up on 8-10% Nickel, but it does not emit because Stainless Steel is a hard metal. It passes EU Nickel Directive. Most of our findings are nickel free plating and pass EU Nickel Directive." 

The factory qualified the answer with "most" so if you can give me a specific list of items you are interested in I can get definitive answer

[slackner]

Thank you, Russ and Joe, for taking the time to answer my questions!

The memory wire ends I'm looking at are item numbers 41-283-3, 41-283-4, 41-285-3, and 41-283-4.  The craft wires are 47-032, 47-034, 47-036, 47-042, 47-044, and 47-046. 

[JoeH]

I should have an answer for the memory wire ends by Monday 2/12.  The craft wire you specified are actually copper, not brass as mention by Russ, and then plated.  All of those craft wire items are compliant with EU nickel standards.

[JoeH]

Hi Slackner,

The memory ends you inquired about have some nickel but they do pass the European Nickel directive.

Hope this helps.

Joe

[slackner]

Thank you very much Joe!!  It definitely helps.