Sterling Silver Elegance Gallery Wire 5.3mm x 0.65mm 12" Lengths

Gallery wire is soldered under a stone setting, bezel, or ring shank to carry an open decorative rail, and this "Elegance" pattern does that work with unusually solid structure. Sterling silver "Elegance" gallery wire is made in Israel using equipment manufactured in Germany during the 1920s. The entire factory relocated to Israel from Germany in the 1950s, where a family business continues to produce this distinctive gallery wire for fine jewelry creation.

The "Elegance" design is highly distinctive, featuring alternating large and small beads atop a bean shape with small beads on either end of the inside of the bean. This decorative structure rests on a strong bottom wire with a single bead supporting the middle of the bean. The result is a solid, well-structured gallery wire with more metal per inch than many taller gallery wires, providing exceptional stability for stone settings and decorative bezels. The wire measures 5.3 mm wide by 0.65 mm thick, weighs approximately 5.5 grams per foot, and is sold by the piece in 12 in. (304.8 mm) lengths in a hard, as-rolled temper.

Features

• Distinctive alternating large and small bead pattern atop a bean-shaped profile
• Small accent beads on either end of the bean interior
• Strong bottom wire with a single supporting bead beneath the bean
• More metal per inch than many taller gallery wires, delivering a solid, durable structure
• Hard (as-rolled) temper holds shape well after forming, well suited to stone settings
• Temper can be modified by annealing or heat hardening as needed
• Supplied in 12" (304.8 mm) lengths; order 2 or more units and one continuous piece 24" or longer will be sent unless otherwise specified in the order comment field

Notes

• This wire is hard and not annealed. It performs well for shaping stone settings but can be damaged by extensive bending or wrapping without prior annealing.
• To anneal: flux the wire, heat to a dull red, then quench in pickle as soon as it cools below red color.
• Temper may vary from batch to batch. Handle with care, as hard wire is delicate despite its rigidity.
• This wire may have sharp or rough edges as manufactured. Finishing may be required.
• Sterling silver will naturally tarnish. Exposure to sunlight, humidity, and salt water accelerates tarnishing. Store in airtight packaging with tarnish strips. Most tarnish is removable with mild abrasive polishing or an anti-tarnish soak.