The process all starts with a raw hunk of crystal or gemstone...

Most of my jewelry is starts as a raw stone which I then hand cut or break into the size I need for your piece. The stone is then set to the ring band and prepared for the electroforming bath. The acid solution of the bath combined with the power of electricity builds a layer of copper over the piece in an almost organic looking way growing into the crevices in a way that enhances the natural edges of the stones.

After several hours, the piece is taken out of the bath and polished before I use a liver of sulphur solution to darken the copper. If the piece is going to be silver plated, it is first polished and cleaned then undergoes the plating process three complete times to ensure a thick layer of 99.9% pure silver. The silver plated pieces can also have an added layer of dimension by being darkened with the liver of sulphur. Each piece is then carefully coated with a water based poly-acrylic. The poly-acrylic seals the copper and helps maintain the life of the silver plating.

How do I maintain my copper jewelry?

Copper jewelry is much like other jewelry in that it needs a little maintenance.  I seal all of my jewelry with a water based poly-acrylic before sending it to you but with wear this seal will rub off. To maintain the seal, simply apply another high gloss acrylic every so often based on your reaction with the copper. Not everyone's skin reacts or turns green while others have more of a reaction. The easiest way to apply the acrylic is to either get a high quality clear spray acrylic or a small pot of water based acrylic and apply with a paint brush.