head pins

[sarahd]

please can anyone tell me where to buy large amounts of sterling silver head pins not plated. about 50mm lenght with a ball head and not flat. All the ones i have found are very expensive. I have tried making them myself but the ball always ends up witha dent in. Grateful for any help

[caroleallen]

My advice is to always make them yourself. Bought ones are usually very weak. I used to buy them from Burhouse Beads but was always having things returned for repair. Now I make them from Argentium silver and the balls are always perfect.

[sarahd]

maybe i will buy some argentinium silver i am in hatton garden tomorrow. do you use a particular thickness? do you hold the silver in to the flame heating from below. I hate the little dents that appear when you use 925. many thanks for your help

[caroleallen]

I don't think you'll find argentium in Hatton Garden Sarah. The only company that sells it in the UK is Argex in Birmingham. Yes you do hold the silver in the flame but you need to cool it more slowly than sterling - just hold it for a few seconds out of the flame before putting it down.

[abyjem]

I am pretty sure that Palmers have now started selling Argentium and also The Silver Corporation but not in many different guages

[orestruck]

Palmer's range of Argentium is limited to a lobster clasp and an earwire!....deffo no bullion there..............

Sarah

[caroleallen]

That's interesting Faith. Good that a few more companies are stocking it, though Argex have more choice.