Learn all about jewelry metals, components, and terminology.
Have you ever wanted a truly custom ring? A unique design you would never find in a jewelry store? Maybe the perfect setting designed for your own gemstone? Well, get ready, because big things are happening here at Distinction Jewelry! I’m preparing to invest in a state-of-the-art CAD system for custom goldsmiths that will...
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How big is a 6mm stud earring? What does a 6mm gemstone look like? Here are some photos of a model wearing 6mm round cabochon and rose cut gemstone stud earrings to help you figure out what all those confusing sizes actually translate to in real life. Also shown here is a comparison between...
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Dichroic glass is unparalleled in its stunning, eye-catching beauty. If you haven’t seen dichroic glass in person yet, you owe it to yourself to do so! Photographs simply cannot convey the color range, or the way dichroic jewelry catches and reflects light. It simply must be admired in person. Once you own a piece...
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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...
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Are you interested in trying your hand at silversmithing? The best way to persue your interest in the field is to take a good class to see if you enjoy it before investing in all of the materials, which can get quite expensive. If you’re ready to take the plunge, here’s a list to...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Affixing bracelets single-handedly is, let’s face it, a pain in the neck. For those with limited dexterity, it can be difficult to impossible. One very appealing option many of my customers ask about is the magnetic clasp. For some people, they’re nothing short of a miracle. But there are some significant downfalls to magnetic...
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