Base Metal Chain that Doesn't Change Color?

Question

This is a question from one of my website readers:

"I am starting my new small business making women's handmade jewelry, but I am facing a small problem and it's affecting my satisfaction to the end result.

The METAL CHAINS, some are gold plates which are the worst - They change their color the easiest.

The nickel plated chain is much better but during summer with the sweat they turn black.

I have no idea how to deal with these products. I need chains that are not affected with hot weather or with sweat!!

Do you have any idea about better chains I can get ?

Or different chain ?

Actually I heard about nickel-free jewelry, want to know more about it !!!!

Thank you for your help "

Can anyone help?

Answer 1

Chain Chain Chain...

Color Changing metal is a battle for anyone using a plated or metal that can tarnish.

If you have a customer who sweats a lot or uses a lot of perfume, you might want to suggest to them that they should rise off their jewelry and pat dry before storing the jewelry away. This will help the chain from changing color and gunk from building up in the links.

If you have a lot of gold and silver plate, you might consider changing the patina or blackening the chain to change the color. There is a link below with various products to do this.

If you are looking for another kind of chain with a lower price point, you might consider getting anodized aluminum chain which comes in different colors. Anodized aluminum is a rather soft metal and can easily scratch, but does not loose it's color.

Rhodium plated chains are hypo allergenic and look a lot like silver, but shinier. These might be more expensive though and harder to find.

Brass and Copper chain are also inexpensive and can give an antique look to your pieces.

Sterling silver can tarnish, but most people know that. Look for thinner/flatter/longer links that are lighter in weight than thick/heavy links. This will save you a bit of money since silver chain is usually sold by weight.

Keep it simple since chain price is also effected by how intricate the shapes are.

Tell customers to use a little bit of (baking soda) toothpaste to brighten up the silver if it starts to tarnish. Baking soda acts as a neutralizer and can be used with water to make a paste to clean as well.

Gold is nice because it does not tarnish. Gold Filled chain is a combination of 14k gold and sterling silver usually. It is a nice alternative to actual gold which is more expensive. It is a bit lighter and may tarnish a bit like sterling, but is not that noticable.

If your customer is allergic to metals, they can try painting 4-5 coats of clear nail polish over the metal that touches their skin. This may not be a good idea for the chain though.

Answer 2

Use silver chains and you can't go wrong - of course your sale price will have to reflect that but quality is better than quantity and you can sell safe in the knowledge that no-one is going to have an allergic reaction or come back to you because the metal has turned a funny colour.

Plus your jewelery will last longer.

Silver chain is not really that expensive and you can buy different lengths and styles off a 'roll' of chain. Try it on the google search engine, suggest 'wholesale silver chains jewelry' as a starter.