FITTING AND OTHER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

FITTING:

If you are trying to visualize where a necklace will fall on you,  the easiest way is to take a piece of yarn or something the same length as the measurement given in my description.  Hold it up around your neck and you will get a good idea.  Necks vary a lot more than you might imagine, so this is a good way to check.

 

 SHORTENING:

My jewelry is usually a generous length, and I am therefore happy to shorten any piece for you, free of charge, (when requested at the time the order is placed) if the total length is to be made shorter by 1.5 inches or more.

If you only want to shorten a piece by a minimal amount, (less than 1.5 inches)  It will need to be restrung; for that, I'll need to charge you  about $10, depending on  how involved the job is.  Contact me for an exact quote.

 

 LENGTHENING

If you would like a piece to be lengthened, contact me for a quote.  Lengthening depends on availability of extra matching stones and other components. Allow extra time for me to get hold of these. 

 

REPAIRS:

I’m pretty confident that the jewelry I make is put together well enough to withstand most of what you can dish out, and therefore, will stand behind my work and offer to repair, without charge, any of my jewelry which breaks, due to faulty workmanship.  (I haven’t had a case of this yet.)  The prime example of faulty workmanship is when something comes apart at a joint, like necklace to clasp.  The jewelry wire I use is 49 strand professional stringing wire, and it almost never breaks in the middle of a piece without having been abused. (i.e. coiled too tightly and shoved in a purse pocket, then sat upon…) 

If you (or a small child) accidentally abuse a piece, and would like to have it repaired, I will be glad to repair it for a nominal fee.  Contact me with a description of the damage, and I’ll give you a quote.

I do not perform repair service on other artists’ jewelry, unless you are a very good friend.  Sorry.

 

CARE OF SEMI-PRECIOUS GEMSTONES:

One of the factors considered in the valuation of gemstones is their hardness, which is measured on the “Moh’s Scale” of 1-10.  Diamonds and Sapphires fall near the top of that scale and are valued accordingly.

Less costly, though arguably quite beautiful, are the more “rustic” stones with which I enjoy working.  Some of these stones, like Labradorite, Moonstone, & Florite, while gorgeous, are quite fragile when it comes to accidental abuse, like dropping.  Please use common sense when handling.  If you’re feeling butter fingered, stand over a carpet while putting on and off.  Also, with Labradorite, Florite and Opals, avoid sudden extreme temperature changes, as in going outdoors when weather is below freezing.

 

CLEANING OF STONE INSPIRED JEWELRY:

Polish with a soft dry cloth or wipe with a soft damp cloth, when necessary.  Do not use ultrasonic cleaning devices, or any harsh chemical or abrasive cleaners.  If you would like to remove tarnish from silver, use a gentle cleaner like Wrights, not a dip, which is too harsh for many of the stones I use.

Some people believe it a good idea to cleanse stones’ energies from time to time, by placing them in indirect sunlight.  This process is thought to help remove negative energies and to restore the beneficial ones.  In the case of Moonstones, moonlight should be used.

 

 PHOTOS OF JEWELRY:

When photographing my jewelry, I usually get extra close ups of details, which I don't always put into the website. If you would like to see additional close up shots of the piece(s) you like, please contact me, and I will attach them to an e-mail.

 

PHOTOS OF YOU ON THIS WEBSITE:

If you have a nice photo of yourself, wearing one of my creations, please send it to me.  I'd be honored to include you on my website. Also, if you really don't care for a photo of yourself, which I've already posted, I'll be glad to remove it from the site.

 

CUSTOM DESIGNS:

It is my policy to never repeat a design outright, and I will not make a replica of any prior piece for you, but would relish the opportunity to create something out of similar, yet different elements and make it entirely your own.

If you have a particular stone, with which you would like me to create something unique for you, please contact me with your ideas.  We can arrive at a concept jointly by e-mailing ideas and photos.

Let me know what you want, and I will give you a quote.