VioletDesignStudioUS

The short answer yes and no, the process I use to make most of my jewelry is called electroforming which uses a copper plating bath and electrical currents (super cool science experiment!) so it does not work with silver or gold unfortunately. There are ways to get the finished copper plated with a thin layer of silver or gold but I do not use those solutions as they are highly dangerous to work with! You can definitely get one of my pieces plated with either one of those from a professional plater if you'd like though!

No, the time it takes for me to make a copper piece can be anywhere from 1-3 weeks depending on how many orders I have at the time. I am a one woman show and have a child I am the full time caretaker of, so sometimes I can't be as productive with orders as I'd love to be. If you need your order at an earlier date I am more than happy to work with you on getting yours out as soon as possible if I can!

I add a protective coating called Protectaclear to all of my finished pieces before they get shipped out, this creates a barrier between the copper and your skin and also prevents the metal from oxidizing (darkening). Depending on the amount of wear the coating will eventually wear down. Please note that the color change from copper is not an allergic reaction but completely common as copper oxidizes fairly easily. It's totally harmless if you notice that (nickel is the usual culprit for metal allergies!). If you notice your finger turning green where the band is just add another coat of Protectaclear ( I highly recommend purchasing some for all of your metal jewelry) or even a little bit of clear nail polish!

No, I make sure to check that everything is nickel free before purchasing things like earring posts from my suppliers!

I have an extensive collection of raw stones, and some cut stones, in my inventory and can do my best to create something personal and unique for you if you have a certain idea in mind! I do not offer engraving and do not recommend doing so on electroformed jewelry as it can damage the plating.

Yes, to my knowledge every supplier I purchase stones from are conflict free. I buy the majority of my stones from sellers in America and a couple overseas.

I highly recommend taking any rings off before doing anything you may be working vigorously with your hands. Stones can get chipped if they are hit too hard against something or the plating can get ruined if it's bent or smashed under something heavy. Handmade items can be more delicate (don't worry they're not fragile like porcelain though) I just recommend doing your best to take care of your pieces so they will last a very long time. And with every metal, even gold, you need to take steps to make sure they're in great condition! I include care instructions with every order and I will gladly answer any questions you may have as well!

There's a few ways to get rid of the oxidization you can find on the internet. I like using a heavy duty copper/brass jewelry cleaning solution (but make sure to wear proper PPE when handling it) it will need to be polished afterwards to return shine. You can also try a Dremel with a brass bristle wheel head to buff away discoloration and add some of it's shine back as well. The best way to get your pieces as shiny as possible is the put them in a rock tumbler for an hour or so with a little drop of dish soap. Remember to reseal the copper with protectaclear after using any of these methods and follow care instructions to keep your pieces looking good as new!

All copper is sealed to prevent discoloration from oxidization. If you purchase a copper piece I recommend purchasing a sealant, like Protectaclear, as well to keep your metal from oxidizing in the future as the initial coating will wear down eventually and need to be reapplied. You can clean your copper or clay pieces with a soft dry cloth. We recommend storing pieces in a cool, dry place. Avoid contact with harsh chemicals, heat, or abrasive materials. Avoid contact with water, oils, perfumes, etc as they may degrade the quality of pieces over time. Avoid bending or dropping pieces as they can get damaged by doing so. Avoid wearing rings during physical activities or anything that involves vigorous work with your hands.

It depends on the amount of wear your ring(s) are getting. The underside of the band gets the most wear and the heat from your hands will break down the coating faster as well, so I recommend applying a coat of protectaclear (or clear nail polish works) to that area once a week to prevent your piece from becoming discolored or turning your skin green. The more layers you apply the longer the coating will last as well! 2-3 layers is a good amount! The copper starts to oxidize and darkens where there is no longer any protective coating.