Fine silver has a higher silver content then sterling. Fine silver is about 99.9% pure silver and sterling is 92.5% You can buy fine silver at most metal/jewelry suppliers such as Rio Grand, Monster Slayer, Thunderbird Supply and so on. It comes in standard gauges just like sterling. It is softer, more pliable and doesn't tarnish as quickly as sterling.

Another difference is that there is no fire-scale (the ugly black stuff) on the surface of the head pins when you use Fine Silver vs. Sterling. You can make the exact same headpins, in the same manner, with sterling, but you will have to clean off the fire-scale after forming them - easily done with a soak in a warm pickle solution (chemical). That is, if you want shiny headpins. I make lots of headpins from Sterling, purposely leaving the balled end with firescale, and sometimes hammering the balled ends flat...here's a pic of what they look like in earrings!
I usually get my Fine Silver at Rio Grande....

I want to Marie Christine & Laura DBL for taking the time schedules to answer my question about fine silver!

Now that I know the difference between fine silver and sterling silver, I'm going to be ordering some in the near future and give making my own head pins a try!

My husband is always teasing me that I'll probably end up burning myself with the flame :) He just needs to have a little faith in me!

Thanks again!

Beth
maltesergr8 ;-)

I haven't burnt myself with the flame, but I did forget to quench once and then used my finger to see if it was still hot! ouch :(

Dana