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MATERIAL
CATEGORY -- Please select from the following "Sterling Silver" Categories:
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Halstead Bead Inc specializes in a broad and diverse line of wholesale sterling silver findings,
beads & chain including many basic staples as well as more glamorous embellishments. Our selection
includes thousands of components such as earring findings, hoops, chandelier findings, bali style
beads, charms, bead caps, jump rings, clasps and tubes. The line also includes bulk silver chain by
the foot, silver sheet and wire. Click on the sterling silver categories in this section to shop for
all the jewelry supply components you need at wholesale prices.
What is Sterling Silver?
Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver (.925) metal. This standard alloy is used to assure consistent
quality among sterling products. The remaining 7.5% of the alloy is typically a combination of copper
and antimony Silver that is not sterling has less pure silver content and will often be softer, darker
in color and less shiny. Sterling is 92.5% pure instead of 100% pure in order to achieve the requisite
hardness and stability to resist wear and tear, and hold its shape. Pure silver ornaments, such as those
made from Art Clay, are best as focal pieces instead of findings. Pure silver is too soft to withstand
the functional strains on most findings because it is highly pliable and prone to malformation over time.
What are Bali Beads?
What is known in the jewelry trade as “Bali beads” are actually product styles that have been made for over
a thousand years. These handmade and cast silver items use techniques and designs that pre-date modern
geographic borders and are indigenous to many countries throughout the mid and far eastern regions of Europe,
Africa and Asia. Techniques have been passed down through generations of silversmiths in modern day countries
including Indonesia (Bali), India, Turkey, Greece, Thailand, Pakistan, Nepal, Tibet and Syria.
The quality of Bali beads and findings available on the market varies tremendously. Some castings lack proper
finishing and fine detailing. Others are made from silver alloys that are not sterling, even though they may
be marketed as such. We have used the same sterling silver master silversmiths in Turkey for over a decade
because of the superb quality, consistency and incredible detail in their work. We believe they represent
the very best Bali beads & findings available today.
All silver products will tarnish. The speed of tarnishing depends on storage
conditions, time and sulpher content in the air. Tarnishing is a normal reaction
that cannot be prevented with normal silver products. It is not a defect. Use
standard silver polish to remove tarnishing.
If you wish to avoid tarnishing for longer, consider using Argentium alloy products. This
branded material is resistant to tarnishing under normal conditions. We carry a limited
selection of basic beads and findings in Argentium sterling silver. See the menu above or
search our product catalog using the keyword "Argentium."
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