I use both, depending on the quality of the stones I’m creating with, so I’d not use sterling with shell or wouldn’t think of anything other than sterling with sapphires, pearls etc. I will redo a design in sterling on request, swop plate hooks etc. Price clearly to reflect the quality of the products you use. So plate earrings I tend to say £5 for but sterling more like £15. Remember some customers may have allergies preventing them from wearing plated, even with a hypoallergenic coating on them. The only thing I don’t use is solid gold, I don’t want to charge the prices it needs, but do use gold plated sterling, and will quote to upgrade it. If you are using sterling headpins, make sure you keep your off cuts, eventually they can be sold back to certain places to be melted down.
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