Distinction Jewelry – The Blog

Sterling silver is an alloy (a mixture of different metals) composed of 92.5% silver.  The other 7.5% is a mixture of other metals, usually copper and zinc, but sometimes including other metals as well.  These metals are introduced into the alloy primarily to increase the hardness.  Pure (called “Fine”) silver is quite soft, meaning that it bends and scratches easily.  While fine silver is a lovely material with many jewelry applications, sterling silver is far more durable for most mainstream jewelry uses.  For instance, earring hooks made from fine silver will bend out of shape much more easily than those made from sterling. (more…)

Okay, I’ll admit it: I have a crush on topaz.  This versatile stone is beautiful, durable, and affordable, and it comes in a wide range of lovely blues as well as several other colors.  It has a Mohs hardness of 8 (very hard!) and a high refractive index (sparkle/light reflection).  It does have a relatively strong cleavage, meaning that like a diamond it can be fractured with a sharp blow.  Like any gem, even a diamond, it should not be treated as indestructable, however it is one of the more durable, affordable gemstones on the market. (more…)

It is common for gemstones to be treated in a variety of ways to enhance or change their appearance and durability.  Some stones are almost always treated, while others are almost always natural.  Most treatments, such as heat treatment and irradiation, are permanent.  Others, such as dyes, waxes, and oils, may not be.  I don’t object to most treatments, as they generally serve to increase the beauty of the stone, but I have a personal dislike of dyed stones and rarely use them.  I have had bad experiences with dyes fading over time. (more…)

Have you ever really stopped to notice the little wires your earrings hang from?  Many people don’t care how their earrings are attached to their ears, but there are definate pros and cons to each variety.  As a free service to my customers, I will switch any pair of earrings on my site to a different type of ear wire on request before shipping.  Let’s take a look at the popular styles: (more…)

The true beauty of top-quality hand blown cane glass, also known as furnace glass, cannot be fully appreciated until you hold a piece of jewelry made with it in your hand.  It has a clear, bright, rich appearance that reminds me of the finest jewels.

There are few producers of top-quality cane glass.  Cheap imitations made in China and elsewhere are readily available and cannot approach the beauty of the real thing, so shop carefully.  Two of the top makers of cane glass are David Christensen and Penrose Design, both in the US. 

For a good description of the intricasies of caneworking and the process involved, check out this Wikipedia article.  Due to the labor, skill, and specialized equipment required to made top-quality cane glass, the beautiful end results are expensive; in fact cane glass is more costly than solid sterling silver.

Glass is often relegated to the lower levels of the jewelry world, associated with cheap strands of dull beads mass-produced in China and shipped in bulk to your local craft store.  But amid the sea of low-quality imitations, there are glass creations worthy of the title of art….or fine jewelry.

This blog series will introduce several types of top-quality glass to look for in your next jewelry purchase:

• Artisan-made lampwork glass
• Dichroic glass
• Murano glass
• Cane glass, also known as furnace glass

Kazuri (Swahili for “small and beautiful”) beads are handmade ceramic beads made in Kenya, and not only are they beautiful, they have a great story behind them. In 1975, Lady Susan Wood started a small bead-making company to employ two disadvantaged Kenyan women. That enterprise has grown over the years into an operation that employs over 120 Kenyans, paying fair wages and providing full health care, especially to single mothers with no other source of support. It is considered an honor to work there, and the wages earned there allow some women to provide for as many as 20 extended family members in an area with very high unemployment. Kazuri is a member of the Fair Trade Act.

Each bead is shaped by hand, without the aid of moulds or forms. The beads are then polished and kiln fired, painted and fired again. The resulting beads are beautiful, high-quality, and special.

As a USA based artist, I find it important to mention that not all fine jewelry artists are in the USA, and not all makers of handmade jewelry in the USA produce quality pieces.  One of the glass lampwork bead makers I most admire is Gail Kopps in Germany, and one of the finest jewelry artists emerging in the market today is Magdelena Bjorko of Cyprus.  Murano Italy is home to some of the finest glass bead makers in the world (and there is a thriving market for Murano knockoffs).

Handmade jewelry constructed in China and other emerging-economy countries is often the product of exploited and low-paid workers, who are often subject to unpleasant and unsafe working conditions.  When you purchase a piece of fine handmade jewelry sold directly by the artist or from a gallery commissioning their work, you know that the artist has set a price that is fair to them, and that you are supporting their craft.  (more…)

Why spend more money on a piece of fine jewelry made from solid sterling silver, real gemstones, or other premium materials when you can pick up a mass produced imitation?  The casual observer won’t be able to tell the difference, so why spend the extra money?  Not so very long ago, this is how I felt about jewelry.

Sure, I noticed that every piece of cheap jewelry I owned fell apart, became discolored, or broke.  Yes, I was saddened to see several favorite necklaces and bracelets deteriorate to the point where they had to be thrown out.  This was before I started on the path to learning about jewelry design and construction. (more…)