Artisan Hand-Made
Silver Jewelry
Argentium® - Sterling - Fine Silver
IMG_9173_.jpg)
Original designs created one piece at a time.
Use QR code to sign up for eletters on Constant Contact
to receive the latest info.
Techniques and Metals
Mixed metals is one of the ultimate directions in jewelry trends this fall.
We are following that trend with pretty 24KT yellow gold against the bright Argentium and fine silver designs, accented with a darker patina.
Think of it as wearable art.
All of my designs are hand formed using
a variety of metals and techniques.
Sterling Silver is the most well-known silver in the industry.
When Sterling is manufactured, copper or another base metal is added to give the metal strength. It is composed of pure silver and .075 copper.
If you are not sure of the source or do not know the person who made it, , l ook for a marking that says Sterling Silver or 925. The copper in the sterling gives it strength but it is also the reason why it tarnishes.
Argentium Silver is the newest trend
in the silver industry.
It is composed of 93.5 fine silver, 5.3% copper, and about 1.2% germanium. The germanium is what makes it different from ordinary sterling silver by increasing it's tarnish resistance. The color is a much brighter silver. For the Artisan, it is has many features that make it a joy to work with.
Pure Silver
Pure silver is simply beautiful. It is a brighter, lighter color available in sheet metal, wire and clay. Because pure silver does not have copper in it, it is less likely to tarnish but is not as strong as Sterling and Argentium.
When I work with metal clay, I use excluively pure silver and occasionally bronze.. Every piece is made by hand, molded and fired in my kiln. You will often find the numbers .999 on the back of the pure silver pieces. The clay is composed of .999 silver with .001 binder to hold it all together and making it pliable and easy to form. This allows so many opportunities when it comes to design.
The binder is burned off during the firing leaving absolutely beautiful silver. It's not sugar but it is certainly eye candy.
When working with pure silver, I always use Sterling or Argentium for the
Earwires. You will have an option to select the perfect custom earwire or hindged earwire.
These pieces can also be soldered to other metals to create unique designs.
A dark patina accentuates the design.
Check out the three earrings on the header. (2026 designs)
The pair on the top right was designed with one of my own drawings.
24 KT Gold Fused - Keum-boo
You will also find new designs with 24KT fused to the Argentium and also fused to some of my original designs in pure silver metal clay.
The traditional Korean jewelry technique for fusing 24 karat (24K) gold onto fine silver is called Keum-boo.
Keum-boo means “attached gold” and is an ancient method where thin sheets of pure gold are fused to silver using a combination of heat and pressure. This process creates a bond — the gold and silver, forming a permanent, durable layer of gold.
The result is a striking contrast between the bright silver and the warm gold,
RETICULATION
Reticulation is working with the heat of the torch creating unique designs by melting and molding the silver. I learned that I love playing with fire and melting things creating unique organic pieces. Below is a sample of Reticulation on Argentium silver.
GRANULATION
Granulation is a process where pieces of metal and flecks can be fused onto a base metal creating a most unique texture.
This earring was created using Agentium silver, with reticulation, granulation, and 24 KT Keum-boo, and patina to darken, making the design pop. This is one of a series of this style earrings. (2026)
