Stringing on thin silver chain

[MyPrecious]

Hi,

I have a lot of this chain: http://www.etsy.com/listing/89590283/sterling-silver-rolo-chain-10-feet

Do you think it would hold the weight of 11-30 lampwork beads? My beads are usually around 13-15mm in size.

Thanks!

[Chameleon]

Difficult to say from the picture Kathy, I would string some up and wear them yourself for a few days and see how you get on and see if it feels strong enough to you when its on. I have strung beads onto trace chain before but only about 5 or 7 not so many as you want to string 

[MyPrecious]

Thanks Becky! After a little test, I think the chain would be fine. But now I'm worrying about the 26 gauge sterling wire that joins the thin chain to the thicker chain/clasp etc. I can't use a thicker wire because it doesn't fit through the thin chain.

[awrylemming]

It will almost certainly give in that area - I had a necklace gifted to me much as you describe and that's exactly what happened.  The very thin jump ring gave up the ghost and I ended up having to use a chain with much larger links so that I could use a heavier gauge jump ring on the clasp.  Fortunately, well annealed beads bounce and survive even on a slate floor 

[MyPrecious]

Okay Thanks Sue! I'll have to find another way then... It's sad because the beads looked good on the chain! And I don't want to use  Beadalon (or anything similar) for this necklace.

[Mand]

Could you maybe solder a stronger jump ring to the ends? Or know anyone who could do that? Mizgeorge perhaps?

[Enchanted Cobwebs]

or use a split ring?

[MyPrecious]

I like the idea of soldering but have never done it myself. It could be an interesting idea though!

As for split rings, is it possible to get some that would fit through really thin chain? This chain is so thin, it fits through holes of beads that were made on 1/16th mandrels (1.6mm). If they do exists in sterling silver this small, I'd definitely be interested!

Thanks everyone!

[MyPrecious]

I have found these: https://www.riogrande.com/Product/Sterling-Silver-Round-Split-Ring/690091?pos=1

Rio Grande told me that the 2.5mm ones would fit through the thin chain. I contacted them via their live chat and it works great!

I'm still not sure but could give it a try... What do you think of these split rings (the 2.5mm ones)?

[awrylemming]

As long as you have the split ring pliers it might work?  Can't say as I'd ever considered this before, I'd love to know if it is effective!

[MyPrecious]

Okay, I'll order some pliers and the split rings (darn... spending more money...) and I'll let you know how it works.

[mizgeorge]

Don't order them from Rio though!!! You'll spend four times the value on shipping, and almost certainly have to pay duty too.

Palmers and the Silver Corporation sell small split rings for pennies. You don't need the special pliers for small rings - a pair of tweezers works just fine.

Are you wanting to be able to remove the beads? If not, why not just crimp some cord/chain ends on if the chain's really that thin.

Having looked at the original listing - that was some expensive chain. 10 feet of really good quality trace chain is less than a tenner from Cooksons.....

[MyPrecious]

Thanks George, I'll have a look at those websites. I was wanting to avoid using crimps as I'm always a bit scared of them coming loose after a while.

[flowerjasper]

if you use this, then add the end caps it should work...
http://www.palmermetals.co.uk/shop/loose-chain/sterling-silver-loose-chain/sterling-silver-beading-chain-1-0mm.html

[mizgeorge]

This style of end crimp is very secure. It's not like a conventional crimp, and can be positioned so it's in the right place for the chain to extend beyond the closed area. They can be closed quite gently, and work well for a rolo, trace or belcher chain if used with a bit of care.

http://www.palmermetals.co.uk/shop/sterling-silver-findings/sterling-silver-chain-ends-1/sterling-silver-crimp-end-1-7mm.html