Type of Metal We Are Using
Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is an alloy of 92.5% pure silver, mixed with 7.5% other metals (usually copper).
Silver reacts with gases in the air, known as oxidization. This oxidization causes the metal to become black in appearance which means silver requires a little more maintenance than other metals. Fortunately, this oxidization doesn’t harm the silver metal underneath and can be easily removed using a silver cleaning cloth or a silver jewelry dip for more intricate designs.
Reticulation Silver
Reticulation silver is an alloy of 80% pure silver and 20% copper. The higher copper content means you are able to create a more dramatic reticulation texture compared to sterling silver which is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper.
Using a process very similar to removing firescale, wherein the metal is repeatedly heated and quenched and pickled, the copper eventually becomes concentrated at the core of the metal, surrounded by a skin of fine silver (99.999). This prepares the piece for reticulation.
Reticulating silver is sometimes referred to as the Black Art of Metalsmithing and is a very organic process, with no two pieces turning out the same.
14K Gold-Filled
Gold-filled is a term for a piece made up of a base metal, coated in a thick layer of 14k gold, at least 1/20th or 5% pure gold of the total weight of the piece bonded to its surface. Gold-filled jewelry is constructed in several layers. A core metal is used, often jeweler’s brass, followed by a layer of gold alloy bonded to the surface with heat and pressure.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is an alloy of iron that’s extremely strong, thanks to its carbon content, and fully rust-proof, because of its added chromium.
It can be polished to a high gloss or brushed to a textured finish. It’s scratch-resistant, tarnish-resistant, and affordable.
Stainless steel is an excellent choice for everyday jewelry, since it can be subjected to a lot without getting damaged.
Brass
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. It has a bright-gold appearance, which, for centuries, has made it a popular material to be used in a wide array of pieces of jewelry. An affordable medium for jewelry pieces, many people like brass jewelry because it is aesthetically pleasing, durable, and easy to clean and maintain. When cared for properly, brass jewelry can last for decades.
JEWELRY CARE
Please keep your jewelry pieces in a sealed (air-tight), cool, dry place away from the sun and light, since the heat and light exposure can cause the colors to fade or the crystals to shatter. Types of stones that are sensitive to light are Quartz, Fluorite, Calcite, Aquamarine, Opal, Apatite, Unakite, etc.
Do not wear them to bed and bath (or swim). Avoid soaking them in water or harsh chemicals like perfume or lotion. We hope you would take extra care with these beautiful pieces to have them for a long time.
If you have jewelry (whether it is plated, metal, or sterling silver) that has already shown signs of tarnishing, simply use a silver polishing cloth to physically rub tarnishing off your piece. Here is the link to purchase one.