Sterling Silver Wire 8G-24G vs Artistic Wire 18 Gauge Silver Plated Copper

Buy the sterling silver wire if the piece needs to be solid precious metal, take a patina or polish, or be sold as 925 silver. Buy the Artistic Wire if you want a soft, forgiving 18-gauge wire in a long coil for practice, color work and budget-friendly practice pieces. The sterling is softer and more expensive per foot, and it work-hardens and can tarnish over time; the Artistic Wire is copper core with silver plating, so cut ends show copper and it is not a precious-metal product. Reviewers of both praise workability; owners of plated wire note the plating can wear at high-flex points.

• Choose the sterling silver wire if the finished piece must be solid 925 silver, hold value as precious metal, or take a patina and polish.
• Choose the Artistic Wire if you want a long coil of easy-to-bend 18-gauge wire for practice, color designs and high-volume wrapping.