Alternatives to Silver Chain

[Diani]

I am a flameworker, and I am looking for suggestions to using sterling silver chain when creating jewelry. I like to use it for smaller more delicate pieces, but I would like to make some bigger chunkier pieces, and with the cost of silver chain by the foot, the pieces would end up being unaffordable to my buyers. Anyone working with surgical or stainless steel? Tungsten? Titanium? Any pros/cons and where to purchase would be helpful!!

[ggbeads]

Some of the silver plated stock out there is really impressive. If you want to stay with sterling you might try filling in the length of a piece with seed bead, pony beads, mixed media, whatever will compliment the lampwork piece, then just put a smallish amount of sterling wire close to the clasp, so as to give the option of making the piece longer or shorter. I have also seen some lampworkers now displaying a pendant on a sterling chain, but pricing the piece without the chain being included - a little sign was made saying sterling chains were not included, but may be purchased at an additional price. Hope that helps.

[ExCognito]

well, i never used anything else besides sterling silver and still do not use something else.
but yep, there are plated, silver filled etc.

but a lot of people may like silver better than surgical steel etc. i am allergic to that steel and get a rush, so are many

[aikanae]

You might also consider stainless steel, copper or titanium. Niobum is more expensive than silver.