Join me for my trunk show at the Art Institute of Chicago tomorrow, April 27th, at 12:00 - it's going to be a beautiful day for jewelry and art!
Gemstone, Sterling Silver and Gold Filled Jewelry handmade in Chicago.
Due to the dramatic increase in International shipping rates, I have now added a $5 international shipping charge to offset the cost postage to international cities.
※※ Free Shipping in the US Via US First Class Mail ※※
※※ $5 International Shipping Via US First Class Mail ※※
I like unique yet simple designs with a focus on beautiful stones. I enjoy working with color, shape and texture to create jewelry with both personality and individuality.
I work with semi-precious stones and a variety of metals including sterling silver, gold fill, vermeil and gold plate. Custom orders are welcome!
Please note, In accordance with the IL Department of Revenue, Illinois buyers will be charged 6.25% sales tax at checkout.
Gold Vermeil? Gold Filled? Gold Plated?
Gold-plated: A base metal such as steel or brass is dipped into a bath of electroplating solution, with a lump of solid gold. When an electric current is applied, a thin layer of gold is deposited on the metal. Since the plating is quite thin, the plate (and hence the colour) on findings can wear off.
Sterling Silver: is a mixture of pure silver and some other metal, usually copper. The resulting alloy gives the silver strength. The standard is at least 92.5% silver. Hence the .925 stamp you see on some sterling silver items.
Vermeil: (Pronounced: Vermay) is sterling silver that has been gold-plated. Most of our vermeil is plated with 22K-24K gold. This is a good combination for those with allergy to normal, plated jewelry items. The difference between vermeil, and gold-filled, is in the thickness of the gold and the base metal used. In vermeil, the base is sterling silver.
Gold-filled: also called rolled-gold. These jewelry items are not actually filled with gold. They are made of a base metal (usually brass or copper) covered by sheets of gold in a mechanical bonding process. Effectively a thick coat of gold: the gold content is 5% or 1/20 of the total weight. Use gold-filled items for your top-of-the-line jewelry. Usually made with 14k gold, it is hard wearing. With reasonable care it will not peel or flake, and should last as long as solid 14k gold jewelry. It is safe for most people with sensitive skin
Gold jewelry reacts with chlorine. Never take your gold jewelry into a pool or spa.
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