[Pearlgully]

Originally Posted by Sueki

Hello Knotty,
Thanks for asking this.
Hello Gail,
What do you think about silver beads ?
I've got some rather nice Tahitians, and fancy silver for a change.
Or white gold, but the highest carat white gold I can find is 14 carat.

I can only give you my opinion. As a goldsmith, I have experience working with metal but I am not an expert as far as the chemical alloys of metal. Having said that....the only silver bead I might use is one made of "fine" silver because it is soft. It could oxidize, though. Sterling silver in my opinion, is too hard and there are "other" metals alloyed in the sterling that I would not trust against high quality pearls.
I do not have experience with 14k gold but....I consider it to be a hard metal and I personally would not use it. Especially the white 14k gold, you never know what other metals they've alloyed in it (it could even be dipped).
Again, this is just my opinion. If you have inexpensive pearls and just want a pretty necklace.....all this really doesn't matter!


Gail

[knotty panda]

How interesting! Dfrey just posted a pic of one of Josh's high quality Tahitian keishis set in 14KT white gold palladium. Lovely to see.

[Pearlgully]

Originally Posted by knotty panda

How interesting! Dfrey just posted a pic of one of Josh's high quality Tahitian keishis set in 14KT white gold palladium. Lovely to see.

That keshi pearl is in a setting, it is not moving or rubbing against the metal. In my previous post, I was specifically referring to metal beads.

Silver and gold beads are made in several different countries and as with many things these days, who knows what they are mixing in with the metal.


Gail

[Sueki]

Thanks for your thoughts, Gail.
Maybe I'll string some lesser pearls with silver and wait to see what happens...

[Pearlgully]

Originally Posted by Sueki

Thanks for your thoughts, Gail.
Maybe I'll string some lesser pearls with silver and wait to see what happens...

You are very welcome.

I just thought of this. If you don't mind possibly sacrificing one pearl, rub a bead against a pearl a little harder than it would rub in a necklace. If you see any damage.....then you already know the metal may scratch your pearls.


Gail

[Sueki]

Clever you ! Thanks !
Now why didn't I think of that ?