Metals
Casting
My jewelry starts its life as an intricate 3d model of the original. These models are used to 3d print designs into wax, which is cast into metal using investment casting, a practice dating back some 6500 years.
In short this involves encasing wax pieces in a mold. The mold is heated until the wax burns out, and metal is poured into the recesses.
Material Options
Brass
Brass (top left) is my least expensive metal option, its predominantly copper with some zinc and sillicon. It will develop a patina and sometimes will cause skin reactions. Unless otherwise stated, I stock inventory for brass items and they ship in a few days.
Clean brass regularly to prevent it from oxidizing. A mixture of one part lemon juice and one part baking soda and a soft polishing cloth helps to remove patina.
925 Sterling Silver
925 sterling silver (top right) is also quite affordable and what I recommend for more frugal collectors. It's 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper and stamped 925. Its generally a metal that folks with sensitive skin respond well to. Unless otherwise stated, I stock inventory for silver designs as well and again, they ship in a few days.
Clean silver about monthly to prevent it from becoming too patinad. A Sunshine Cloth and some elbow grease will remove outer oxidation while leaving patina in recesses intact.
14k Gold
14k gold (yellow center, white bottom left, rose bottom right) is 58.5% gold and a large amount of copper and is stamped 14k. It has varying amounts of silver and zinc, and in the case of 14k white gold contains nickel - for hue. 14k gold designs are made to order and take 2-3 weeks to cast, finish and polish. Gold is generally a very safe metal in terms of skin reaction and quite resistant to oxidation.
24k Gold
24k gold is 100% gold and stamped 24k. I offer 24k on selected designs, these are made to order and will take 2-3 weeks to cast, finish and polish. Again its quite safe in terms of skin reactions and resistant to corrosion. 24k gold is very soft and malleable for a metal, care must be taken not to damage it.
Sustainable Materials You Can Feel Good About
I source my metals in a manner thats eco-friendly and sustainable. From domestic U.S. sources where possible and from certified DRC-Conflict Free mines where impractical. All metals are 100% nickel free excepting 14k white gold, which is plated with rhodium in order to prevent reaction (but will need to be re-plated about yearly if you have sensitive skin).
| Metal | Gold | Silver | Copper | Zinc | Silicon | Nickel |
| Brass | 80% | 13% | 7% | |||
| 925 sterling silver | 92.5% | 7.5% | ||||
| 14k yellow gold | 58.5% | 5% | 31.25% | 5.25% | ||
| 14k rose gold | 58.5% | 1% | 39.5% | 1% | ||
| 14k white gold | 58.5% | 23% | 9% | 9.5% |
Custom Castings
In addition to my standard metals, products are available cast in 14k nickel free white gold, 18k yellow, rose or white gold, 24k yellow gold, platinum, and palladium. Please reach out for a quote on a custom material.