Advertising Jewelry as Sterling Silver

If I make beaded jewelry with sterling silver embellishments and clasps, can I advertise it as sterling silver if the wire under the beads (that does not show or touch skin) is not sterling silver? Or does that wire also have to be sterling silver?

Thanks!

Answer:

Representing Jewelry as Sterling Silver

© by Rena Klingenberg; all rights reserved

If you mean beading wire (such as Softflex or Accuflex) is the wire under the beads, then I don't think you need to mention its composition. As far as I know, it's generally understood that beading wire isn't sterling silver.

Therefore (although of course this isn't legal advice), I would think it's OK to say "sterling silver" if all of the exposed metal parts - headpins, wire-wraps, crimp beads, clasps, findings, etc. - are sterling silver.

For official guidance, you can refer to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries. These guidelines are actually pretty clearly written, especially for a government agency.

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