I would like to get a dog tag for my mom w/ my kids pictures engraved upon them. I have seen Sterling silver ones that go from $30 up and Aluminum ones that go for around $7. My question revolves around the durability of Aluminum for this application. I would like to know if it is worth the money to get an aluminum one or would it be better to get a sterling silver one. I am a jewelry maker and make most of my jewelry out of sterling silver, but I've actually never used aluminum so I am unsure of it's durability. Keep in mind that the aluminum is more financially suitable at the moment due to the economy ;) but I'm willing to spend more if buying aluminum would be a waste.
Sterling silver is more durable then aluminum.
I doubt it is truly aluminum and not some tin alloy like they use for dog tags... And I tell you that to use plain aluminum for jewelry is to invite heavy metal poisoning. the gray tarnish from the aluminum can enter directly into the blood stream, where it will get loged in the liver for a very long time if you are lucky, and cause damage to other organs if you are not. I too make jewelry, and a silver gold smith... and have worked on aluminum aircraft for the better part of 20 years... what you think is aluminum os either pewter or tin! ME! .
