Frequently Asked Questions
Here on our FAQ page, you'll find answers to questions frequently asked by our customers
and a Glossary of Terms relating to jewelry. If you have a question that has not been
answered on this page, please email us so we can answer it.
Does hand crafted jewelry require extra care?
All jewelry should be handled with care and, Yes!, jewelry that has been made by hand can be more fragile
than jewelry mass-produced by machine. For instance, hand-woven, beaded bracelets and necklaces should be
handled carefully so as not to stretch the stitching and distort the even-tensioned flow of the design.
Sterling silver jewelry will tarnish over time (a natural occurrence). Although if your jewelry has been
deliberately oxidized by the designer to give it an "antiqued look", that finish may come off eventually if you
use a polishing cloth on it. On the other hand, if your piece is not intentionally oxidized and you want to
maintain the shine, you can prevent or forestall the oxidation process by including a tarnish retardant paper
strip in a plastic zip-lock bag where you store your Sterling silver jewelry. To restore shine to tarnished
jewelry, use a silver cloth impregnated with polish and a fair amount of "elbow grease." Sterling silver
wire-wrapped jewelry can also stretch or break under duress.
Remember the following 3 steps to prevent damage to your jewelry:
1.Be gentle, handle with care.
2.Clean with a soft cloth after wearing and store in a soft bag or plastic for silver.
3. Don't expose your jewelry to chemicals: household cleaners, beauty creams, hairspray. Put on your jewelry
after using your beauty products.
Is your jewelry hypoallergenic?
Nickel is one of the most common sources of an allergic reaction to jewelry. We do not use products
containing nickel. We use the finest quality materials in our designs including sterling silver, gold-filled (not
gold plated) or niobium and copper metals. However, even metals that are labeled hypoallergenic can
sometimes cause an allergic reaction in very sensitive individuals. Niobium is one of the most hypoallergenic
metals available. Sterling Silver contains 92.5% silver and 7.5% of either copper or zinc to harden it.
Our hand-made ear wires are made of either 24k 1/20 gold-filled, or Sterling silver. Our wire-wrapped
jewelry may also employ "fine" silver wire -- 99.9 percent silver.
How do I clean pearls and gemstones?
First use precaution and pamper your pearls to keep them happy and healthy.
To protect the nacre on pearls, and keep them from discoloring or chipping -- keep them dry (do not shower
with them on, keep them away from hairspray and perfumes). To maintain their luster, wipe them after each
wearing with a soft cloth, keep them away from the sun and store them in a soft bag -- not plastic.
Depending on the hardness of the gemstones in your jewelry, many should not get wet. To be safe, wipe them
with a soft, dry cloth.
Soldered versus unsoldered chains and wirework?
If the chain is made of high gauge wire, 26 - 32 gauge, it should be soldered. But, if the chain is made of a
lower gauge -- 16 - 20, soldering is unnecessary, as the thickness of the wire will be work-hardened and
strong enough to stand up to a little tugging -- not an all-out tug of war -- but sufficient strength to serve as a
necklace, bracelet or earrings.
Glossary of Terms Used on Our Site
to come
Here on our FAQ page, you'll find answers to questions frequently asked by our customers
and a Glossary of Terms relating to jewelry. If you have a question that has not been
answered on this page, please email us so we can answer it.
Does hand crafted jewelry require extra care?
All jewelry should be handled with care and, Yes!, jewelry that has been made by hand can be more fragile
than jewelry mass-produced by machine. For instance, hand-woven, beaded bracelets and necklaces should be
handled carefully so as not to stretch the stitching and distort the even-tensioned flow of the design.
Sterling silver jewelry will tarnish over time (a natural occurrence). Although if your jewelry has been
deliberately oxidized by the designer to give it an "antiqued look", that finish may come off eventually if you
use a polishing cloth on it. On the other hand, if your piece is not intentionally oxidized and you want to
maintain the shine, you can prevent or forestall the oxidation process by including a tarnish retardant paper
strip in a plastic zip-lock bag where you store your Sterling silver jewelry. To restore shine to tarnished
jewelry, use a silver cloth impregnated with polish and a fair amount of "elbow grease." Sterling silver
wire-wrapped jewelry can also stretch or break under duress.
Remember the following 3 steps to prevent damage to your jewelry:
1.Be gentle, handle with care.
2.Clean with a soft cloth after wearing and store in a soft bag or plastic for silver.
3. Don't expose your jewelry to chemicals: household cleaners, beauty creams, hairspray. Put on your jewelry
after using your beauty products.
Is your jewelry hypoallergenic?
Nickel is one of the most common sources of an allergic reaction to jewelry. We do not use products
containing nickel. We use the finest quality materials in our designs including sterling silver, gold-filled (not
gold plated) or niobium and copper metals. However, even metals that are labeled hypoallergenic can
sometimes cause an allergic reaction in very sensitive individuals. Niobium is one of the most hypoallergenic
metals available. Sterling Silver contains 92.5% silver and 7.5% of either copper or zinc to harden it.
Our hand-made ear wires are made of either 24k 1/20 gold-filled, or Sterling silver. Our wire-wrapped
jewelry may also employ "fine" silver wire -- 99.9 percent silver.
How do I clean pearls and gemstones?
First use precaution and pamper your pearls to keep them happy and healthy.
To protect the nacre on pearls, and keep them from discoloring or chipping -- keep them dry (do not shower
with them on, keep them away from hairspray and perfumes). To maintain their luster, wipe them after each
wearing with a soft cloth, keep them away from the sun and store them in a soft bag -- not plastic.
Depending on the hardness of the gemstones in your jewelry, many should not get wet. To be safe, wipe them
with a soft, dry cloth.
Soldered versus unsoldered chains and wirework?
If the chain is made of high gauge wire, 26 - 32 gauge, it should be soldered. But, if the chain is made of a
lower gauge -- 16 - 20, soldering is unnecessary, as the thickness of the wire will be work-hardened and
strong enough to stand up to a little tugging -- not an all-out tug of war -- but sufficient strength to serve as a
necklace, bracelet or earrings.
Glossary of Terms Used on Our Site
to come
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