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about us: learning center: customer service: designs & content copyright 2008 |
Recognizing quality in artisan jewelry. Always check for quality! Once you find a piece you love, take time to look at what it is made up of and how it was made. There are three types of silver commonly found in quality jewelry. Sterling silver, Hill Tribe silver and fine silver. Silver is purchased by the gram or ounce and its price fluctuates with the silver market. Sterling silver is usually stamped with a .925 mark, meaning the percentage of silver is 92.5% and the rest is other metals usually nickel. Silver from Thailand, however, has a silver content of 98%, this makes it much softer for the Hill Tribe craftsmen to work with. Fine silver is 99.9% pure silver, which is the softest and most malleable form. It is found in many forms, one we're are currently using is PMC. This product starts out as clay, which can then be formed, molded, stamped and is then fired like traditional clay. Also notice the types of gemstones used in the piece, they come in many sizes and cuts of stone. Gemstones that are transparent, like amethyst, peridot, garnet and quartz, you would look for good clarity, and no cracks or chips. Faceting of a stone, which adds the sparkle, makes the stone more expensive versus a smooth finish. You may notice specks or “dirt” in some types of gemstones. These are called inclusions, and are acceptable for some gemstones. Quartz, one of the most common stones, comes in many colors, and is also one of the least expensive. Be sure to ask if the stone is quartz or not. If the artist says for example it’s aquamarine, be cautious, true aquamarine is expensive. Toggle clasps (ring and bar) are very popular right now. They are fun and can easily be put on with one hand. The trick with this clasp is the bracelet must fit properly. If it is too loose, the clasp has the potential to be knocked open and lost, if it is too tight, the beading wire can be stressed and cause weakness or breakage. The bracelet should be long enough to slip the bar through the ring with a small amount of tension on the bracelet. You should not have to pull to get the bar in. You should be able to slip 1-2 fingers in between the bracelet and your wrist once it is on. These are some simple tips. Have fun shopping! Don’t forget to see what's new and check out our show dates! Thanks for stopping by, |
LMN Jewelry offers a distinctive difference and timeless elegance in all our collections.
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