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Daily Wire Tip Sept. 23: French Hooks

By on September 23, 2009
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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
September 23, 2009

Question:

Could I use silver-plated and/or gold-plated headpins or eye pins to make french hooks?

Answer:

Although plated wire can be used to make anything, personally I do not recommend using it to make ear wires or any item that will be inserted into or through the skin as plated wire is covering a base metal that a person can be allergic to, and the plating may even crack and/or peel off, making your beautiful product substandard.

Answer contributed by Dale `Cougar` Armstrong

4 Comments

  1. avatar

    Karen Williams

    September 23, 2009 at 3:00 pm

    I agree!! I made the mistake of using siver plated eye pins when
    making a project and before I was finished I noticed the eye pins were peeling. I did not complete the project and went through my
    supplies and made sure that I did not use silver plated item again.

    wiredkaren

  2. avatar

    Alex

    September 24, 2009 at 3:08 pm

    NO!!! I would not use any kind of plated wire ever! Your work is a reflection of you. Using substandard material makes you look substandard. Use 22 gauge round Sterling to make earwires. Or, if you need hypoallergenic, get stainless steel ready made earwires.

  3. avatar

    Lisa

    September 24, 2009 at 10:45 pm

    I disagree to some extent, I’ve used silver plated head pins when making french hooks and I’ve had no problems with them peeling or flaking, However I do make sure I let the buyer know that hooks are silver plated in case they do have a metal allergy. But then this is just my opinion and I am no way an expert on wire….but just starting out I find silver plated to be more economical.

  4. avatar

    kirsten houseknecht

    September 25, 2009 at 4:47 pm

    personally i know too many folks who have metal allergies to risk it. There is also the fact that the Vermeil stuff i have used (gold plate over sterling silver) has had people tell me “no, i only wear “real” metals not plated” and thats Vermeil!

    last but not least, i tend to assume people will be idiots about caring for their jewelry. one scratch and plating is cut through and the underlayer starts coming out…. and i have never, ever, known a non jeweler who didnt throw their jewelry in with things that could scratch it eventually…