Sheet Metal and Wire are divided into two basic classifications: Ferrous and Non Ferrous. Ferrous is a metal or alloy that contains iron and is magnetic. Non Ferrous doesn’t contain iron and is NOT magnetic. Simple really. A (complete?) list of non ferrous metals/alloys are: Copper, Brass, Bronze, Aluminum, Silver, Gold, Zinc, Nickel, Lead, Mercury, Titanium, Magnesium, Beryllium, Bismuth, Cadmium, Chromium, Cobalt,Molybdenum, Palladium, Platinum, Rhodium, Tantalum, Tin, Tungsten, Uranium, and Vanadium. PHEW!
So, what metals do jewelers generally use? (another list, geez!) Copper, Brass, Bronze, Aluminum, Silver, Gold, Tin, Platinum, Rhodium, Nickel, Zinc and Lead (as a tool). Jewelers also use Ferrous metals like steel, iron and stainless steel.
In the United States, the B&S (Brown and Sharpe) gauge is used. The British use the British Standard Wire Gauge, which is also known as, Imperial Wire Gauge or British Standard Gauge.Currently, the standard for measurement is BS (British Standard) 6722.
Nancy: Love your videos. Have started using 16 gauge steel wire for making my jewelry but am having trouble finding it in local stores. Is there any online sites that you can recommened
Thanks Meg
Hi Nancy,
I’ve just started working with red brass, copper and aluminum. Presently, using a disc cutter and dapping set to dome my components (no torching yet…I just bought a Blazer, but still need solder, etc. and all of the safety stuff so I won’t burn down the house!).
I’m having trouble with the brass and copper almost immediately tarnishing. I polish everything in my tumbler with stainless steel shot, then apply 2-3 coats of Renaissance Wax. This just doesn’t seem to be doing the trick to prohibit tarnishing. I’ve also tried dipping the metal in Finish Seal Lacquer (#335-123) that I purchased from Rio Grande (I didn’t like the results of this either, because if the lacquer doesn’t stick to the entire surface, tarnish will appear in those spots. My question: do you have any suggestions as to what to use to protect the metal? I’m curious to hear…Thanks!!