Combination (white) pearls & silver... a YES or a NO?

[Pearlkitchen]

I work a lot with silver and in the past I combined silver with creamwhite commercial freshwaterpearls. As I live in Asia I am lucky (yep, sometimes luck is on my side! ) to select the better quality commercial pearls from shops and stalls.

Right now am wiring with Sterling Silver and I like to use creamwhite pearls. But I remember how once the black tarnished Sterling spacer tarnished on the pearl as well. A beginner's mistake!

The silver wire and beads I use right now aren't tarnished yet, but in time they will.
I am doubting what to do... to combine pearls and silver or not to combine them.

What is your experience/ view on this?

 

[KAC]

I'm not opposed to the use of silver with pearls but not in a way that the silver could tarnish the pearl. I'm thinking silver is not a good material for spacers, as you've experienced.

 

[pattye]

Here's a few suggestions:

Some jewelry boxes are lined with anti-tarnish flannel that will slow tarnishing for many years.

Slips of anti-tarnish paper can be added to existing jewelry boxes.

Anti-tarnish fabric can be bought by the yard also.

Argentium silver and some newer silver alloy blends (more than .925 sterling + something other than copper)-- both tarnish more slowly, and are becoming more available in findings.

I would LOVE to find a reputable supplier with a wide selection of white gold-filled and rose gold-filled findings. They would be cost effective and long lasting.

Until then I will continue to use sterling and fine silver for clasps, and for spacers also.

 

[eric-anandia-pearls]

try checking around for "fine sterling silver". It's great and doesn't tarnish for a really really long time. The manufacturer does something to it, rhodium-coating maybe. We use it for some clasps and I know it's available for findings.... If I can remember where I'll post it. Otherwise there's always higher-cost white gold at $1430 per ounce

 

[pattye]

Yes, I'd be interested in checking that out if you remember the source.

 

[Pearlkitchen]

Thank you all for input. Fine sterling silver with rhodium coating...interesting...because -surprisingly- white gold is out of my league! Haha...

http://ezinearticles.com/?Rhodium-Silver-Chains---What-Makes-Rhodium-Better?&id=2681962