Each piece of jewelry offered on this website is made by hand. While a specific pattern or form may be followed in creating the work, no two pieces are exactly alike and each has its own particular qualities. Some elements are cast by hand from molds made from original masters in 100% recycled metals.
All of the silver jewelry elements are made from recycled silver. Whenever possible, findings (earwires, jump rings and clasps) are made from recycled silver as available from my suppliers.
Most elements are made in fine silver (.999 silver), then cast in sterling silver (.925 silver). Sterling has a small amount of other metals (copper and nickel) and it is stronger than fine silver, so sterling is used for elements that need a little extra strength, such as chain and clasps. Some pieces also have 22k gold overlay, precious or semiprecious stones, pearls or beads. In each case, the highest-quality materials are used in the creation of the jewelry.
Some pieces begin in a clay form (precious metal clay or PMC) and the techniques used to make the elements are the same as those used in ceramics. The clay is shaped by hand or molded in handmade molds, dried, sanded and smoothed, fired in a kiln and tumble-polished. Some work is then cast by hand from original fine silver pieces in 100% recycled sterling silver. Some pieces have a patina applied by hand to “antique” the piece or to bring out subtle surface textures. Pieces with patina are coated with a wax compound to protect the finish. Finally, pieces are carefully put together with 100% recycled finishing hardware, hand-soldered for additional strength, and hand-polished. Many metalsmithing skills are employed to create these unique works of art.