| STERLING
We utilize four variations of Sterling Silver: traditional sterling, heavy (1 - 2 micron) 24K gold-plated sterling, Black Sterling™, and rhodium-plated sterling:
 1. Traditional Sterling means that a piece has been finished in one of two very familiar ways - highly polished, or oxidized; (oxidizing, or ‘antiquing’, is used to highlight details by darkening the recessed areas of the design).
2. 24K Gold-plated These pieces will either be high-polished, polished with a light hand-antiquing to highlight detail, sandblasted to make the entire piece Matte, or given a Mixed finish which combines polished and matte surfaces.
 3. Black Sterling™ is produced by a proprietary process which, depending on whether a surface is polished or matte, turns the metal shiny black or dark satiny gray. Mixed finishes juxtapose polished surfaces with matte surfaces and can be especially striking. The look is unquestionably sophisticated.
4. Rhodium-plated Sterling - Rhodium is a 'white' metal, in the platinum 'family' . We use it (as an alternative to Black Sterling™), on pieces with matte or mixed finishes when a ‘silver’ look is desirable.The rhodium protects the matte surfaces, which would otherwise be more susceptible to visible damage than would a polished surface. Also, it virtually eliminates tarnishing.
18K GOLD
 We offer three gold colors: Yellow, White and Rose. If a polished finish is selected, and the design has detail, (i.e. not just a flat surface), we  generally 'antique' the piece by hand-painting the recesses of the design with a lacquer. This achieves the same result that oxidizing does for sterling. The lacquer can be removed or lightened with acetone. As with sterling, mixed finishes are also an option.
GEMSTONES
Since our work is largely representational, the emphasis is on the image as expressed in the metal. Gemstones are used primarily as accents rather than as the main design element or focus.
When selecting stones, we make every effort to to find the brightest and liveliest of each type in the size and shape required for the particular design. In the case of diamonds, this is quite straightforward because there is a reasonably consistent, universally-accepted grading system which defines clarity and color. For example, all of the round diamonds that we use are SI1, VS or VVS clarity, F-H color, depending on design and metal; the marquises and triangles are VS clarity, G-H color.
When it comes to Colored gemstones, quality is much more subjective. There is no universally-accepted grading system. We rely on the advice and reputation of the dealer from whom we are buying and upon my own judgement of a stone's beauty. I think you will be pleased with my choices.
|
