Sterling Silver Source List for Necklaces or Bracelets
In many of my videos, I am making or repairing jewelry with Sterling Silver findings. This is a quick reference to the parts that I use in my projects. Use this list if you are having trouble finding quality parts. I was in the Jewelry Supply industry for over 10 years and one of my jobs was to find reliable vendors of reliable parts for artisan jewelry. I have selected these items based on that experience.
Sterling Silver Lobster Claw clasps come with a 4mm Closed ring at the base of the clasp and a 5mm Closed ring for use on the other end of your necklace (if you are not using extender chain). These are perfect when you are making new jewelry, but if you are repairing or retrofitting existing jewelry, look for similar clasps that come with Open rings.
Note that in the picture, if you zoom in, you can see that they are stamped '925' on the flat hinge piece (the part that opens). '925' in the jewelry industry means that the item was made with solid 92.5% Fine Silver alloyed with 7.5% other metals (for durability).
If you are repairing jewelry that was made with Sterling Silver components, as I am demonstrating in the video, you may want to use Sterling Silver replacement parts. This set includes three common sizes of oval jump rings: 8x6mm, 6x5mm and 5x4mm (10 rings in each size). In the video, I was using the medium size.
These 2mm seamless crimp tubes are made from Sterling Silver. This package of 30 pieces is enough to last through 15 projects if you use two crimps for each necklace like I do in the video.
This Sterling Silver (925) chain is made in Italy. It has links that are a perfect size for making necklace extenders: 11.4 x 4.2mm, and has a material thickness of 1mm. It is sold in lengths of 3 feet.
Bead Stringing Material
For convenience, here is the bead stringing material I most often use when making necklaces or bracelets with Sterling Silver findings:
This beading wire from Beadalon is a great product that I've been using for over 20 years. I'm sending you to the 19 strand, nylon coated beading material in the .015 inch (medium thickness) variety. Be sure to look at the options, though: it comes in other colors, other thicknesses, and in 7 strand (perfectly good economy, but a little stiffer) and in 49 strand (more expensive, but it's more flexible and 'drapey'). You get 30 feet on a spool, which will last you through a lot of necklaces or bracelets.
If I am working with small & lightweight beads, such as 4mm faceted gemstones, I like to use a similar bead stringing product, but in the 49 strand variety:
This beading wire from Beadalon is their "top of the line" selection. It is a great product that I've been using for over 20 years. I'm sending you to the 49 strand, nylon coated beading material in the .015 inch (medium thickness) variety. Be sure to look at the options, though: it comes in other colors and other thicknesses. You get 30 feet on a spool, which will last you through a lot of necklaces or bracelets. This is my choice when I am making a necklace with very nice beads like faceted gemstone in small sizes, because it will give you the best "drape" in your finished creation.
Plated Findings List
Not quite ready to spend the money for Sterling Silver findings? When you are new to beading, it pays to get used to creating some pieces using more affordable parts. Please see the post on Economy Plated Findings for sources of Plated Earring Findings that are similar to the items I listed above in the Sterling Silver section.
Gold Filled Findings List
If you’d like to make a similar necklace, but would like to make it with long lasting Golden hued findings, see our Source List for Gold Filled Findings. That post also contains information about how Gold Filled Findings are made and why you might want to invest in them instead of Gold Plated Findings.
