What amazing and/or sentimental keepsake would you keep in this Damascus Stainless Steel-Darkened keepsake box? Remember Valentine's Day is next month! Maybe use this box to present something special....could even be filled with sand from your favorite beach. Love to hear your ideas! ... See MoreSee Less
This is a CAD Jim did awhile back for a pair of earrings...that I don't think they were ever made exactly like this. What do you think of this style? Should we make a pair? Which metal combination do you think would look the best or is your favorite for a pair of earrings? Maybe to match your JBMA mokume ring? Remember Valentine's Day is just a month away! ... See MoreSee Less
Gemstone Tuesday! January's birthstone is garnet. Garnets not only come in red but also orange, yellow, purple and vibrant green. Tsavorite garnets are green and one of the most popular garnets. Garnets are 7 to 7.5 on the MOHS scale of hardness so are not the best option for a ring worn daily. They can best be used in pendants, earrings and brooches/pins. This is a tsavorite garnet set in a palladium 950 half bezel in a mokume ring of palladium 500 and sterling silver. Great color contrast, don't you think? ... See MoreSee Less
Many of our rings have palladium in them either as its own alloy (palladium 500) or as 14K palladium white gold. Palladium 500 is a darker grey than 14K palladium white gold so provides a stronger contrast to the white of sterling silver. Palladium started being used in jewelry around 1939 and its use grew during WWII when platinum was needed for the war effort. Palladium is considered hypo-allergenic and is less dense than platinum. Palladium will not tarnish or corrode. Palladium’s main use is in automotive catalytic converters which has greatly contributed to its increase in price. Palladium has more than quadrupled in price since January 2016. Palladium 500 and sterling silver has been our most popular metal combination 6 out of the last 10 years. Photo shows etched and non-etched palladium 500 and sterling silver. Which is your favorite? ... See MoreSee Less