What about working with sterling silver?

While we generally do not recommend using sterling silver for your first few projects (or for projects that are going to involve a lot of trial and error), sterling is a beautiful material for making maille.  The shine, weight, and elegance of sterling silver cannot be beat. 

Sterling Silver (SILV)

Price point: $$$$

Ease of use: Very easy to use and manipulate

Durability/Life Expectancy: Long-lasting if maintained properly, finish can be restored for years and years to come.

Care + Maintenance: To help prevent tarnish, store each piece of jewelry in its own sealed plastic bag, along with an anti-tarnish tab. To clean tarnish, soak in soapy water (use dishwashing soap) and then lather the jewelry with suds. Rub briskly and rinse well.

Hypoallergenic?: Although sterling is considered semi-hypo-allergenic, some people have allergic reactions to sterling, probably because of the copper content. These highly sensitive people do better with fine silver, a high carat gold, niobium, titanium, or possibly argentium silver.

Alloy: 925
Temper: 1/2 hard
Composition: Silver: 92.5% - Copper: 7.5%

Note that Sterling Silver differs from Fine Silver. The copper in sterling strengthens the silver, making it suitable for maille. Fine Silver is 99% silver. Though a purer alloy, fine silver is softer and generally not recommended for chainmaille.

See current pricelist and purchase sterling silver.