You handle nickel every day in coinage and stainless steel. [snip] Pure nickel knives are mostly designed as lab tools so I wouldnt be using them for slicing my apples anyway.
I don’t put coins in my mouth or food.
The nickel is to add “bling” to pattern welded blades, just imagine
a heavy duty Mokume Gane 
Regards Charles A.
Since there are so many problems with these alloys, and one can’t
afford to learn on silver, what do you all suggest to use.
thx,
brenda
Since there are so many problems with these alloys, and one can't afford to learn on silver, what do you all suggest to use.
There’s nothing wrong with learning on any metal, as long as you
know that you need to take precautions with some metallic elements
and alloys.
I’ve made brass rings, and soldered them with hard solder, and
coated one in black rhodium. It was a class exercise. Adequate
ventilation, and a fume filter mask seem to work for me. I always
wear a mask when I’m using silver solders, as the zinc fumes make me
feel ill.
90/10 bronze is nice to use, to practice on, it will hold a nice
polish, and has a better resale value than brass (ime).
Regards Charles A.
Yesp Barbara, it's a bummer. Sorry you have it too. Pain in the arse. And I have so much old jewelry from my mother - all that old costume jewelry that used to be so fun - would like to be able to wear it, but
I have repaired costume jewelry for 30 years. Costume jewelry is
usually base metals that have been plated. Is the jewelry you react
to a yellow or a white color. The majority of costume jewelry I have
seen is gold plated.
And they made some really neat things years ago- in the 1920s.
I do not think I have ever seen a piece of nickle plated costume
jewelry from the 20’s or 30’s. I think more like the 50’s costume
jewelry was plated with a white metal. I believe what was used is
chrome plating, and that is chromium, n= ot nickle…
Richard Hart G.G.
Denver, Co.
Since there are so many problems with these alloys, and one can't afford to learn on silver, what do you all suggest to use.
I hate to be repetitive, Brenda, but I’ve enjoyed over 30 years of
working (and selling) jewelry made of brass, copper, and
nickel-silver. If you want to know more, feel free to contact me
personally.
Judy Bjorkman
I don’t understand why anyone would want to use nickel silver for
jewelry. According to my professors, both working and world famous
metal smiths, not only is nickel silver toxic it simply does not have
the properties for successful forming at the level needed for jewelry
making. If cost is a factor there is now a silver filled product
available on the market. It is available at Rio Grande in wire and
sheet. I do use copper in my work. On these pieces I use a product
called Midas Finish Seal Lacquer to protect the wearer from any
chemical reaction. It also locks in patinas & other methods of
colorizing metals. I have not received any complaints so far and
have been using this process for more than two years. There is now a
new product on the market I have just ordered called Permalac Clear
Protective Lacquer that I am looking forward to testing.
Regards, Rita
it simply does not have the properties for successful forming at the level needed for jewelry making.
Well I would suggest either you did not completely understand your
instructors or they may not be as knowledgeable as you think. Nickel
silver has been used to make a great variety of both commercial and
handmade jewelry. It is ductile and easily worked. It really has
only two drawbacks first it is not as attractive as silver in that
it is grey and looses its luster rather quickly due to oxidation,
second is this little problem with allergic reactions.
I do use copper in my work. On these pieces I use a product called Midas Finish Seal Lacquer to protect the wearer from any chemical reaction. It also locks in patinas & other methods of colorizing metals.
For some items the lacquer or other coatings will help for a while,
possibly a long while depending on the items wear and environmental
exposure. But no coating is suitable for protecting high wear items
like rings and only for a limited time on items like bracelets.
James Binnion
James Binnion Metal Arts