Use On Leather Cord

Q: Can someone tell me where I can purchase stainless steel coil ends for use on leather cord? These are the crimp type ends for use on leather and other cords, and they look like pieces of springs with a loop on one end. I have looked at scores of on-line sites by using a search engine, and all I can find are gold, nickle, silver or rhodium plated. I am looking specifically for stainless steel coil ends, so they won't tarnish. Can anyone tell me where to find some?

A: -haven't seen stainless steel, but you can make your own with stainless steel wire. Just coil the wire around a mandrel of the right size, tip the last coil up to be the loop, and smush the coils over the leather. -Gold, nickle anmd Rhodium plate won't tarnish. -This may be true when they are not worn directly against the skin. But I have used all three on jewelry pieces that touch the skin, and when they are worn next to the skin, the plating will not protect the underlying metal from the acids in people's skin. Eventually, the plating will turn color when skin acid gets to it. I recently bought some hamilton gold plated coil ends from a company, and the one I wore turned an ugly bronze color after only one day. The gold plate was completely gone. I had another person wear one at the same time, and the result was the same. I am making necklaces that have all glass beads and gold filled findings, and the only part that I can't find that will never tarnish or turn color next to skin are the coil ends. I probably should have mentioned why I was looking for stainless steel in my original question.

Discuss It!

Most Popular Articles

More