Metals + Jewelry Care

Jewelry Care

All the metals used in the studio (with the exception of gold) are  alloys containing metals that react with chemicals found in air and produce tarnish; high moisture levels, exposure to sunlight and contaminants such as salt water increase this reaction. Take steps to protect your jewelry by keeping it in airtight packages,  and store jewelry in a cool, dry place. Most tarnish is easily removed by polishing with a mild abrasive or soaking in an anti-tarnish solution.

We recommend polishing your jewelry with a jewelry polishing cloth. We sell polishing cloths here and we also have a jewelry care pouches for sale here.

Metals

Copper
We love to fire patina our copper work which creates gorgeous hues of reds and purples. It is unpredictable which is half the fun. You never know what you’re gonna get! Over time these colors may fade slightly but they are still beautiful.

Jeweler’s Brass
We only use Jeweler’s Brass here in the studio. We never use regular brass. There is a difference in color. Jeweler’s brass is a specific alloy of Copper and zinc which gives it a remarkably close resemblance to 14K gold but for a fraction of the price. This is the 2nd most popular metal choice behind sterling silver.

Sterling Silver
All our designs come in sterling silver. It is a favorite metal for our customers followed by jeweler's brass.


Gold-filled vs. Vermeil vs. Gold-plated

Gold-filled jewelry has the thickest layer of gold that is bonded to a base metal. It is second to gold!
  • It resists wear and tear long term. 
  •  Hard to tell the difference between “real” gold and a gold-filled piece.
  • While gold-plated jewelry is usually not an ideal choice. Gold-filled jewelry can be a high-quality addition to your collection. Gold-filled jewelry isn't created through electroplating, but rather through bonding with heat, Since many layers of gold cover the base layer inside, the jewelry is protected from tarnishing and discoloration.

Vermeil

  • Vermeil refers to silver that is plated with a thin layer of gold. 

Gold-Plated

  • Gold-plated jewelry is a brass, copper, or low-end metal electroplated with a layer of gold. Usually less expensive than vermeil, gold-plated jewelry doesn’t require any minimum karat weight or thickness. 
  • if not done properly can chip off.