You can also make sterling silver headpins with this wonderful tutorial. To avoid the discoloration or brown color mentioned by mariecristine on your headpins try with this: After you make your sterling silver headpins, put them into a small pot and cover them with about 1 inch of plain white vinegar and boil them for about 3 to 5 minutes or until the brown color is gone, then tumbler them to make them shine!!! I do this all the time!!! Hope this helps!!!