Glossary: Findings-
Jewellery Metals
Findings are the pieces, in jewellery, made from metal. For example clasps, connectors, jump rings and earring parts.
Bead Them Up sells findings made from Sterling Silver, Silver Filled, Vermeil, Gold and Gold Filled and a variety of base metal findings.
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver is an alloy containing 92.5% pure Silver and 7.5% other metals, usually Copper.
Silver Filled
Silver filled is a process in which heat and pressure are used to laminate Silver to brass.
This is not to be confused with Silver plating where a thin layer of Silver is electroplated onto various base metals.
The Silver layer is 100 times thicker in Silver filled than that of Silver plated, making it more durable and suitable for daily wear.
The Silver filled findings we sell are 1/10th Silver. This means that it is Silver bonded on brass and that 1/10th of the volume is silver and 9/10th's is brass.
Vermeil
Vermeil is a base of solid Sterling Silver coated, via electroplating, with pure Gold; the Gold layer is very thin and fine.
Gold Filled
Gold Filled is a process in which heat and pressure are used to laminate the gold to brass.
This is not to be confused with gold plating where a thin layer of gold is electroplated onto various base metals.
The gold layer is 100 times thicker in gold filled than that of Gold plated, making it more durable and suitable for daily wear.
With the proper care gold filled jewellery can last a lifetime. The gold filled findings we sell are 1/20th 14ct gold.
This means that it is 14ct Gold bonded on brass and that 1/20th of the volume is gold and 19/20th's is brass
Base Metal
Base metal findings are made from non-precious metals; usually zinc alloy, brass or nickel;
they can also have a layer of Sterling Silver or Gold electroplated onto the surface.