Frequently Asked Questions

: Handmade has a legal definition for precious metal jewelry and its imitations. It means using only wire, sheet, ingot, clay, or similar raw materials and forming and shaping only by hand without automation. FYI, the word is used illegally nearly 100% of the time!
: I refine and process silver and gold in small batches myself. Thus, anything I make from them technically begins at the atomic level. It's not just a catchphrase or marketing slogan.
NOTE: Products made from utensils, salvaged goods, and pre-existing items are not handmade.
: Words using "eco" are often a buzzword more than an action. Not so here. Using scrap silver and gold as a starting point, I manufacture everything made from them on-site. There are no conflict minerals or questionable labor practices. They are socially responsible manufacturing that benefits the local economy. Select other metals cannot be fully processed on site so I buy them on the open market from reputable suppliers.
: You'll find gold jewelry, platinum jewelry, and exotic metals! Copper, stainless steel, aluminum, steel, and more are incorporated in my sculptural and artistic metalworking. Sometimes they find uses in jewelry, too. If it's metal, I'm game!
: Forged silver is nearly as hard as sterling silver. It is OK in many applications but not suited for small, structural elements like rings with prongs and similar things.
: It is the lunar metal and one of the first known to man. It is the shiniest metal, has unrivaled natural anti-microbial and anti-viral properties, an appreciable density, and is a great way to stash wealth. Pure silver is hypoallergenic. Read more here.
: Almost every metal will oxidize, tarnish, and/or corrode. Thankfully, corrosion-resistant metals are legally defined. Other metals like titanium and niobium skirt the boundaries but the fancy colors result from oxidation. Like the word handmade, "corrosion-proof" and its ilk are most often used illegally.
: None of them are solid gold. Gold-filled is the most durable and contains the highest gold content. Rolled gold and rolled gold plate are next, respectively. Gold-plated is generally a thin coating but may endure for years. Gold-washed has a microscopic coating easily worn away.
: Law-abiding manufacturers have a registered trademark that must accompany purity stamps. Avoid gold altogether unless you (personally) know the manufacturer. Fake silver is more common than real silver so forego those items bearing only a '925' or 'STERLING' hallmark. More info is here.
: Hypoallergenic labels are grossly misused so know the facts before you buy. Nickel is the most problematic; copper and zinc follow closely. Even surgical stainless steels affect some. Non-reactive metals include the precious metals and some of their alloys. Niobium, titanium, tantalum, zirconium, molybdenum, and a few others are generally safe. More information is found here.
: True. While I can and have, it's a work in progress. Email me if interested.
: Certainly, and they are among my best sellers! I have a full assortment of traditional jewelry including rings, bangles, cuffs, pendants and charms, earrings, utensil jewelry, many types of body jewelry, and so much more. Check out my jewelry made from utensils and silverware.
: Most of my work is custom. I begin once the order is placed. It is usually completed within a few days. I don't charge a premium except for unusual situations.
: I have a variety of stamping fonts. For engravings and other markings, I can laser etch just about anything from text to images.
: Saw-cut rings are the only thing appropriate for jewelry! Pinch-cut and other rings have sharp edges, burrs, deformed ends, are less round and flat, and always leave a gap or misaligned end when closed. They only make low-quality products suitable for ridicule and are notorious for cutting flesh and snagging fabric.
: It means the ends perfectly align so the "join" or seam can't be felt or seen. There is no gap between the ends, either. Only saw-cut rings can have good closures. See this blog entry for a better explanation.
: Well-made chains have undetectable and invisible welded or soldered joints. Precious metal chains should always have them or they are overpriced scrap metal and a novelty item at best, not legitimate jewelry. Failing that, they would only use saw-cut rings and have perfect closures. Nearly all chains fail at least one of these tests. Basic jewelry buying guidelines can be found here.
: Legitimate handmade chains are more expensive. Real precious metals cost more. Butted (i.e., not welded or soldered) precious metal chains are worth little more than scrap value no matter how well-made, though sellers often charge exorbitant and unwarranted premiums nonetheless. Sellers who misrepresent their materials and/or manufacturing processes can charge lower prices. Know what you're buying, in other words.
: It's like comparing Monopoly board game money to actual money! Butted chains are always low-quality junk or novelty accessories, not jewelry. Welded and soldered chains are the domain of high-quality jewelry, which will last longer, look better, be stronger, and have superior construction. Many chain makers neglect welding/soldering as it takes substantially more time or they lack the necessary skill and talent. Who do you want making your chain?
: Welding is best. Filler metal can be identical to the original alloy so there is no visible seam or discoloration. The joint is not compromised or weakened since it is homogenous. Visible welds on jewelry are generally indicative of low-quality workmanship.
: Forging has a much wider scope than hitting metal with a hammer. Essentially, every forming processes in jewelry is forging: bending, twisting, shaping, swaging, flaring, drawing, rolling, flattening. All of them increase strength and hardness.
: It can be quite confusing. Luckily, science and math separate fact from fiction. There are laws that cover every aspect of advertising and selling. Ultimately, consumers need to weed out the dishonesty that plagues this industry for themselves.
: Yes. While mostly a marketing ploy with an incredible placebo effect, we learn more about our natural world every day. The facts are quite intriguing. However, they won't grow a new limb.
: Yes, to most, but it depends on the country, the item, and its value. It is best to email me for specifics.
: Currently my handmade jewelry is only available on my website, at a show, through the grapevine, or the like. I can offer the best pricing by selling directly.
: If it involves metal, count me in! I have made copper clipboards, metal origami of all sizes, yard and garden ornaments, windcatchers, and more. I do (surreal) interpretive palindromic/reversible artwork with names and symbols in glass, paper, textiles, paint, fabric, metal, and whatever else fancies me. My laser engravers can render or etch any picture, image, shape, or text in most materials. Really, too much to list.
: If you'd prefer it wrapped like a birthday present, I can do that. However, many of my pieces are as gift-ready as possible housed in their custom wooden presentation case! The remainder come in a fabric bag though a cardboard or wooden box can be substituted for additional cost.
: It depends on how you define "similar." I could lower prices by sourcing from dubious manufacturers, disregarding environmental destruction, ignoring social impacts (sweatshops, forced or slave labor, enriching warlords, murdering indigenous tribes), not handmaking my items, making illegal claims, lying, or manufacturing low-quality goods. Those tactics are abundant and commonplace elsewhere. I haven't found anyone with similar items based on these parameters.