The non-standard 935/1000 alloy is recommended in "Great Wire Jewelry"
by Irene From Peterson. She wrote that this alloy is "the easiest to
work", resulting in a "handsome piece even on your first project". She
also writes that 925/1000 "is a little stiff to work with".

We (my partner Christie and I) have tried viking wire knitting with
straight copper wire and got enticingly pretty results. But we want to
use silver, and that means we're looking at rather significant material
investments (2 or 3 ounces of wire per piece). That, and that the
"drawing" of copper got a bit demanding, physically, makes me think
"more silver, less copper" for the wire to use. But, I know we don't
want to go to the fragile end of the spectrum - fine silver - in order
for our pieces to retain a more optimum strength and abrasion resistance.

I'm inclined to trust Ms. Peterson's recommendation, but 935/1000
certainly seems to be a European thing and not easily found in the US.
It's looking like 925 is what we'll use since it's readily available.
I'd love to create an alloy, just for grins, but we don't (yet) have a
furnace and, besides, is the difference in ductility that significant?

I'll certainly inquire to David H. Fell Co. about what sort of quantity
would be "right". If we start making wire knits regularly, we might need
those sorts of quantities.

Thanks!

Patty Rasmussen

Peter W.. Rowe, wrote:
On Fri, 23 Feb 2007 08:30:04 -0800, in rec.crafts.jewelry Mizz Patty
wrote:

Does anyone know where we might buy 935/1000 silver wire in various
shapes? In my googling I am coming up empty except for large-scale
industrial suppliers - not jewelry-making (read: a few ounce quantity)
suppliers.

Many thanks in advance of your knowledgeable answers!

Why that non-standard alloy? Sterling silver is .925 silver. Most likely, I'll
bet that to get .935, you'll have to do a special order, and while that might
not be large scale industrial, it WILL likely be at least a bit more than a few
ounces. But I'm curious as to the need for that alloy. It's only slightly
different from sterling, but enough so that sourcing it will be tricky. Why do
you need it?

But I would think any decent precious metals supplier could, if the quantity
were right, fill such an order. Try David H. Fell company in Commerce City
California. They tend to cater to artists and their needs.

Or, if you get some fine silver and some copper electrical wire, alloy it
yourself. Wire's not that hard to make. Perhaps you could enlist the aid of
another local jeweler or metalsmith, if your own facilities are not up to that.

Peter

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