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There are a number of types of "silver" beads, components and findings for sale on eBay, so I hope this short guide will give you some useful background information.
Fine silver is actually 99% silver, you will most commonly see this as silver wire & headpins on eBay, though it certainly can be made into other jewellery components and beads. Some jewellery designers use PMC which is also fine silver. PMC stands for Precious Metal Clay, the clay is shaped into beads & components and then fired in a kiln which dries off the 1% liquid that made it a clay and leaves the final solid 99% fine silver component. Find fine silver items labeled as fine silver on eBay is quite uncommon.
Hill tribe, Karen Hill tribe & Thai silver is at least 925 and is normally between 97% to 99% silver. If buying beads and components on eBay look out for auctions that state the actual percentage and that the silver components are handmade (as they should all be).
Sterling silver also known as 925 is a combination of 92.5% pure silver the remaining 7.5% usually being copper. Some items in sterling silver may be handmade, but most will be mass produced. Most sterling silver beads and small components are not stamped 925 or sterling. For more information why please look into hallmarking (another rather complicated topic)! Argentium (TM) Sterling silver is a virtually non tarnishing type of sterling silver, (it contain a small quantity of germanium which gives it it's special properties), you may find wire and occasionally other items listed on eBay.
Bali silver is a very common and popular type/style of beads and components especially on eBay. Bali silver should also be 925 quality, but as it is so popular many people are now describing lesser quality items as Bali silver. If in doubt always ask the seller to confirm the silver content.
Indian Silver should also be 925 quality, but it is quite uncommon to find Indian silver beads on eBay, and they are not normally noted as being 925 quality so it is very important to ask sellers what metal their beads are actually made from to ensure that you are not buying alloy beads. Another point to note is that the 7.5% of the alloy that is not silver may be nickel rather than copper.
Pewter is an alloy of mostly tin with copper (or brass) and often lead. Pewter is a commonly seen alloy for pendants, and less frequently beads (as it is quite a heavy material). When buying pewter components you should always check that they are lead free, if it's not already stated in the details.
Tibetan silver this extremely popular type/style of beads and components certainly has it's place in jewellery making, but do not be under the illusion that it is actually silver. Tibetan silver generally contains no silver at all and is actually an alloy, most commonly zinc alloy. Tibetan silver alloys can vary a lot, and contain different make ups. It is worth checking the credentials of your supplier as not all Tibetan silver is nickel and lead free. Also the quality of the beads & components can vary greatly, from very intricate detail to terrible quality. Tibetan earring findings (there are some on eBay) should be avoided as they may cause allergic reactions.
Alpacca silver on eBay is generally listed finished jewellery not components, but if you are considering buying it to use parts you need to be aware that it is a nickel alloy, and as with Tibetan silver do not be under the illusion that it is actually silver.
Antique silver is a term which can be used to describe any silver coloured metal as it is not referring to the age but the colour - details are highlighted by the dark finish. Sterling silver can be oxidised to give a dark "antiqued" colour. Other metals may be treated in various ways to achieve the colouring. Another point to be aware of is that Some metals such as pewter & nickel are already a darker silver colour (all over).
Silver plated items are extremely common, plated beads and components can also vary a lot in quality & composition. The base metal that is plated may either be an alloy or is often copper. An extremely fine layer (measured in microns which are a a thousandth of a millimeter) of silver is applied. You might also encounter items plated in platinum or rhodium (which are both precious metals, with a very shiny white/silver colour).
Metalised/metalized: Be aware of this term, as it refers to beads and pendants that are made of plastic and coated with a metal alloy. You may also see the term CCB in the title or description (sorry I don't actually know what it stands for). These beads are made in China.
Other metals: You may come across Titanium & Niobium wire and ear wires, but are unlikely to encounter other components or beads. Both niobium and titanium ear wires are hypoallergenic and a good choice for many people who are sensitive/allergic to other metals. Aluminium beads, pendants & chains are lightweight. Aluminium wire is soft and easy to work but is very rarely found on eBay. Surgical (& stainless) Steel ear wires are a common alternative to silver plated ear wires.
Base metals: Other silver coloured metals and alloys you may come across may be described by various terms such as silver tone, white metal, zinc alloy, tin alloy, base metal, nickel silver or even just as silver. Depending on the description given it is often impossible to know what these metals actually are.
Alloys: You may wonder why so many different metals are used in alloys, basically the 3 main considerations are:
Sterling silver plated (and less commonly fine silver plated): The seller uses the words sterling silver to attract attention to their listing, but as mentioned above all Silver plated items are plated with a very fine layer of silver - so little that they barely have a silver content. The words sterling silver are used to imply a higher quality & value. The phrase sterling plated indicates nothing useful at all & is totally meaningless!
Bali style: Be very wary of all listings that describe something as xxx style. Bali beads are extremely popular and you will find a number of Tibetan beads are made in these popular styles and clearly labeled, but there are plenty of listings that mislead you to believing that you are getting high quality Bali beads, when in fact you are getting beads that may be poorer quality and may be alloys containing any sorts of metals.
County of Origin: as with Bali style, mentioning or misrepresenting different countries of origin to indicate history or quality of an item is common. Also as mentioned above different countries have different health & safety standards e.g the EU nickel directive.
copyright kitschkitty @ UK Beaders 2008
"Types" of Silver
Fine silver is actually 99% silver, you will most commonly see this as silver wire & headpins on eBay, though it certainly can be made into other jewellery components and beads. Some jewellery designers use PMC which is also fine silver. PMC stands for Precious Metal Clay, the clay is shaped into beads & components and then fired in a kiln which dries off the 1% liquid that made it a clay and leaves the final solid 99% fine silver component. Find fine silver items labeled as fine silver on eBay is quite uncommon.
Hill tribe, Karen Hill tribe & Thai silver is at least 925 and is normally between 97% to 99% silver. If buying beads and components on eBay look out for auctions that state the actual percentage and that the silver components are handmade (as they should all be).
Sterling silver also known as 925 is a combination of 92.5% pure silver the remaining 7.5% usually being copper. Some items in sterling silver may be handmade, but most will be mass produced. Most sterling silver beads and small components are not stamped 925 or sterling. For more information why please look into hallmarking (another rather complicated topic)! Argentium (TM) Sterling silver is a virtually non tarnishing type of sterling silver, (it contain a small quantity of germanium which gives it it's special properties), you may find wire and occasionally other items listed on eBay.
Bali silver is a very common and popular type/style of beads and components especially on eBay. Bali silver should also be 925 quality, but as it is so popular many people are now describing lesser quality items as Bali silver. If in doubt always ask the seller to confirm the silver content.
Indian Silver should also be 925 quality, but it is quite uncommon to find Indian silver beads on eBay, and they are not normally noted as being 925 quality so it is very important to ask sellers what metal their beads are actually made from to ensure that you are not buying alloy beads. Another point to note is that the 7.5% of the alloy that is not silver may be nickel rather than copper.
Pewter is an alloy of mostly tin with copper (or brass) and often lead. Pewter is a commonly seen alloy for pendants, and less frequently beads (as it is quite a heavy material). When buying pewter components you should always check that they are lead free, if it's not already stated in the details.
Tibetan silver this extremely popular type/style of beads and components certainly has it's place in jewellery making, but do not be under the illusion that it is actually silver. Tibetan silver generally contains no silver at all and is actually an alloy, most commonly zinc alloy. Tibetan silver alloys can vary a lot, and contain different make ups. It is worth checking the credentials of your supplier as not all Tibetan silver is nickel and lead free. Also the quality of the beads & components can vary greatly, from very intricate detail to terrible quality. Tibetan earring findings (there are some on eBay) should be avoided as they may cause allergic reactions.
Alpacca silver on eBay is generally listed finished jewellery not components, but if you are considering buying it to use parts you need to be aware that it is a nickel alloy, and as with Tibetan silver do not be under the illusion that it is actually silver.
Antique silver is a term which can be used to describe any silver coloured metal as it is not referring to the age but the colour - details are highlighted by the dark finish. Sterling silver can be oxidised to give a dark "antiqued" colour. Other metals may be treated in various ways to achieve the colouring. Another point to be aware of is that Some metals such as pewter & nickel are already a darker silver colour (all over).
Silver plated items are extremely common, plated beads and components can also vary a lot in quality & composition. The base metal that is plated may either be an alloy or is often copper. An extremely fine layer (measured in microns which are a a thousandth of a millimeter) of silver is applied. You might also encounter items plated in platinum or rhodium (which are both precious metals, with a very shiny white/silver colour).
Metalised/metalized: Be aware of this term, as it refers to beads and pendants that are made of plastic and coated with a metal alloy. You may also see the term CCB in the title or description (sorry I don't actually know what it stands for). These beads are made in China.
Other metals: You may come across Titanium & Niobium wire and ear wires, but are unlikely to encounter other components or beads. Both niobium and titanium ear wires are hypoallergenic and a good choice for many people who are sensitive/allergic to other metals. Aluminium beads, pendants & chains are lightweight. Aluminium wire is soft and easy to work but is very rarely found on eBay. Surgical (& stainless) Steel ear wires are a common alternative to silver plated ear wires.
Base metals: Other silver coloured metals and alloys you may come across may be described by various terms such as silver tone, white metal, zinc alloy, tin alloy, base metal, nickel silver or even just as silver. Depending on the description given it is often impossible to know what these metals actually are.
Alloys: You may wonder why so many different metals are used in alloys, basically the 3 main considerations are:
- the strength & durability of the alloy,
- the colour & properties of the alloy,
- and the production costs.
Misleading titles & descriptions.
Most eBayers already know that this is a minefield and I could spend all day pointing out various misinformation and even scams, but for now I will just point pout a few of the most common and/or confusing.Sterling silver plated (and less commonly fine silver plated): The seller uses the words sterling silver to attract attention to their listing, but as mentioned above all Silver plated items are plated with a very fine layer of silver - so little that they barely have a silver content. The words sterling silver are used to imply a higher quality & value. The phrase sterling plated indicates nothing useful at all & is totally meaningless!
Bali style: Be very wary of all listings that describe something as xxx style. Bali beads are extremely popular and you will find a number of Tibetan beads are made in these popular styles and clearly labeled, but there are plenty of listings that mislead you to believing that you are getting high quality Bali beads, when in fact you are getting beads that may be poorer quality and may be alloys containing any sorts of metals.
County of Origin: as with Bali style, mentioning or misrepresenting different countries of origin to indicate history or quality of an item is common. Also as mentioned above different countries have different health & safety standards e.g the EU nickel directive.
copyright kitschkitty @ UK Beaders 2008
Guide created: 15/03/08 (updated 15/07/09)
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