Crimps, crimps, crimps

[Luann Udell]

I'm working with a small group of high school students, teaching them basic jewelry-making skills.  You may have noticed an uptick in my supply orders, especially for inexpensive jewelry findings.     (BTW, the easy hair clips #30-272  are a HUGE hit!)   

With the price of silver skyrocketing, I'm using base metal findings as much as possible.  (There is a lot of trial-and-error, esp. the error part, in the class right now!)   

So....crimps.

I need guidance re: base metal crimps.  I always thought base metal crimps were inferior in quality to sterling and gold-filled, that they broke more easily and just didn't last at long. 

Is this still the case?  What's the best compromise, if price is an issue?

Are silver-filled crimps & findings a good substitute?

Do you sell silver-filled crimps?  (I couldn't find any under the crimps section nor in a search...)

Russ, you will appreciate this.  Many of these kids are ALREADY allergic to most of the metals found in jewelry from WalMart, etc.  So I need to walk a fine line between 'affordable supplies' and 'cheap stuff they won't be able to actually wear' for our projects.

[Russ Nobbs]

Are you speaking of the round corrugated French style crimp beads or the crimp tubes?

Generally silver-filled goods are a good compromise.
Made in the same manner as G.F. it holds up well.

Allergies are such a personal issue, as we've discussed. Before wholesale adopting silver-filled earwires I'd suggest each user try wearing a pair. Some individuals may be irritated by the inner core of brass but most won't. If G.F. works for one individual, Silver-filled probably will also.

I'll have to ask specific questions about the crimps. In the past silver plated brass crimp tubes have had issues with plating chipping when crimped. I don't hear about that problem lately but will ask.

[Luann Udell]

Thanks Russ!

I did some checking online & found most people have the best results with the sterling 2x2 tubes, as you mentioned.  No word yet on how the silver-filled variety holds up....

[RitaD]

Silver Filled Crimp Tubes now in stock:  http://shop.rings-things.com/cart/pc/zCrimp-Tube-4862p33458.htm

[Luann Udell]

Just checked in on a whim and found this--YAY!!!!