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For
more information on the alloys we offer, and how
to care for your jewelry piece, please use the links below;
Gold
has long been treasured for its rich color, its weight and its
rarity. The beautiful warm yellow color , unique amongst the
elements, causes gold to be associated with the sun, with warmth
and with well-being. Throughout history it has been mined in
the main world production areas of southern Africa, Canada ,
U.S.A. and Russia, and small quantities in parts of Britain
and Australia. World currencies were once based on the Gold
Standard and it is still, despite its weight, one of the most
portable and desirable forms of money. Gold is highly ductile
and may be beaten into microscopically thin sheets of gold leaf
that have long been used to cover and ornament statuary and
architecture. Gold does not oxidize or corrode, it retains its
brightness.
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Silver
is found in the countries along the Rockies and the Andes -
Canada, U.S.A., Mexico and Peru, and in Russia and Germany.
From time immemorial it has been used for making jewelry and
ornaments as it is the shiniest metal. Silver has a bright coldness
and in astrology it is associated with the moon. Fine silver
(100%) is little used in jewelry because of its softness, instead,
sterling silver is predominately used for this purpose. The
word "sterling" which has given its name to the British
currency standard comes from the term "Osterling silver"
as originally produced by the Osterlings of Germany. The other
7.5% of the alloy content can be any metal but is usually copper.
Silver can gradually tarnish or oxidize to grey or black particularly
in the presence of sulfides. This property can be made use of
to artificially oxidize silver to give it an old appearance.
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TARNISHING
&
METAL MAINTENANCE
TARNISHING
It's
inevitable! Base metals, and silver will oxidize slowly on the
surface in the atmosphere. The resulting tarnish or patina colors
the metal may or may not be desirable. Certain chemicals such
as sulfides in the atmosphere or in perspiration can promote
rapid tarnishing.
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METAL
CARE
We
recommend that our jewelry (precious and non-precious metals)
be gently polished as soon as signs of tarnishing show. It is
easier to maintain a good finish, than to try and remove tarnish
build up down the road. Many jewelry cleaning products are available
on the market today, and if used regularly will result in a
tarnish free finish. Always remember to read the manufacturer's
instructions before use, and ensure that the product is compatible
with the metal you are cleaning. We do not recommend 'dipping'
solutions for jewelry wrapped in twine, or the wrap may prematurely
age or loosen.
We
do offer maintenance on all our products for a small fee, including
re-wraps if required. See 'services'
page for details.
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