I want to start offering metal buckles with my collars but the one I tested on Mylo, the silver tarnished really quickly. Any advice from jewellery makers out there? I presume this must be a common problem among other collar makers?
Is the buckle actual silver, silver plate or silver tone? There are tarnish removers out there that allegedly impede the formation of new tarnish but Iām not convinced that would work for something like a buckle on a dog collar. You could try coating it in something like renaissance wax but I imagine there is too much rubbing against the dog/ fabric bits of collar which would remove any coating put on the silver. (also not sure if it has been tested to ensure that it wouldnāt cause problems for doggies skin, it is meant for coating items that are being stored not in regular contact with skin) There are also impregnated tabs which stop tarnish forming on silver but they work for items being kept in an enclosed space (eg jewellery box) so again donāt see them working on a dog collar.
I would have thought that you would be best going for a stainless steel buckle as they shouldnāt tarnish rather than a silver/ silver plate buckle.
Hope thatās helpful.
Sasha
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The only dog collars with metal buckles Iāve ever had for my dogs had brass buckles I seem to remember. Most collars do seem to have plastic nowadays donāt they?
Thanks Sasha, yeah iāve seen the wax etc but not sure it would be suitable unfortunately. They said they were āstainless steelā but in the description mention āmetalā, maybe i need to ask a few questions!
@plainprimitives Yeah most are plastic, iām looking for how to make them stand out a bit more. Belt buckle style do tend to be brass but i use the side release ones.
I would definitely ask your supplier why āstainless steelā has tarnished. I suspect you may have been sold a base metal alloy. Usually these have a fairly high brass content, even though they look silver, and brass will quickly develop an oxide coating when it reacts with heat and water from the dogās skin. Stainless steel should not rust or oxidize, but because it is an iron alloy, it will be heavy.
Love Sam x
Definately have words with your supplier. I have a stainless steel watch strap and after years of abuse its still not tarnished so Iām thinking youāve been sold a duff. I know us jewellers have to comply with laws about nickel content and whilst I doubt they extend to our furry friends but Iād ask lots of awkard questions about what exactly the metal alloy is as you donāt want some poor pooch having a bad reaction.
Sasha
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