Designer Jewelry

Green Patinated Copper Lily Pad Earrings

2010-06-20T21:47:00.001-07:00

As beautiful as a spring day, these Green Patinated Copper Lily Pad earrings feature hues of Apple Green, Turquoise, and Yellow, with a Raku-style texture. No two earrings are alike, making them truly unique.

Distinctive Hand Made Copper Jewellery

2010-06-20T10:10:00.001-07:00

Copper jewellery has been worn for more than 100 years, mostly for genuine health factors as some believe that it enhances good blood circulation and eases the the signs of joint disease. Although those statements have not been medically confirmed, copper has been shown to have antimicrobial qualities (aiding to ward off bacteria as well as disease). However, it is more likely that this continued interest in copper jewelry has much more related to its distinctive luster and colour than it does with its germ-fighting capability!

Copper jewellery can often be sought-after by those who like an earthy, ethnic look but more and more it is also found making an appearance among the many collections among high end jewellery designers. It has an affordable alternative to higher priced rose gold due to its pretty pinkish tone when copper is at its most basic form. The warmness of copper additionally produces a eye-catching contrast along with silver’s cooler tones.

Numerous artisans furthermore enjoy working with this metal due to its resilience and flexibility. With time, oxidation can cause unprotected copper to darken into a warm brown color that generally improves the look of jewellery pieces. Furthermore, contact with the elements causes unprotected copper to form a bluish-green patina that's generally sought after by individuals who love a distinctive look. Accomplished jewelry designers use this organic discoloration of copper to make unique and revolutionary patterns and designs.

Uncoated bright copper jewelry can tarnish as time passes but can be easily restored to its primary condition. You can buy commercial restoring cloths or drop your jewellery in a bath of tepid to warm water, a number of drops of lemon juice and some salt. Dry with a delicate cloth and the classic warmth and former beauty of your pieces will quickly come back. Note: silver polish shouldn't be used on copper jewelry because it is harsh and may mar the finish.

Hand crafted copper jewelry by John Brana uses a special method to form an exclusive mottled patina in varying tones of brown, black, green, and blue in other pieces amongst his extensive collection of copper jewelry. These pieces are also covered with a protective lacquer which helps prevent tarnish and halts the jewellery from staining your skin.

Copper Patinated Jewelry by designer John S. Brana

2010-06-19T16:49:00.001-07:00

Karri Ann Frerichs interviews San Francisco jewelry designer John S. Brana about his latest patinated handmade copper jewelry collection Muir Woods. See one-of-a-kind copper earrings in a variety of earth-tone colors, including hand-sculpted bronze tree-branch rings set with semi-precious faceted colored gemstones.

Can Wearing Copper Jewelry be Good for Your Health?

2009-09-03T20:48:00.000-07:00

Corrugated Copper CuffCopper jewelry is loved by many due to its beauty and versatility. Since copper is so easy to work with, due to its malleability, many imaginative designs can be created using this metal. Another added benefit to wearing copper jewelry is that it might also provide health benefits.

Copper rings, necklaces, and bracelets are once again becoming very popular. The belief is that by wearing copper next to the skin, certain minerals will be absorbed and have positive health effects on the body overall. Copper is an essential trace mineral that helps melanin production in the skin, aids in the production of red blood cells, and increases the absorption and transportation of iron.

Although copper is an essential trace mineral, it is still debatable whether or not copper jewelry has any direct influence on overall health. Claims have included easing the pain of arthritis or helping to improve the condition and appearance of skin. Magnetized copper bracelets are commonly sold as arthritis remedies and can be purchased over the counter at your local drug store. These types of bracelets can help alleviate pain due to rheumatoid and osteo arthritis.

Historically, it was favored by many ancient cultures since it could be worked easily into many different forms. Eastern Europe, Egypt, and Iran have many astonishing examples of early copper jewelry. In its natural occuring state, copper was likely the first metal used by early man. Neolithic people used copper as a substitute for stone by 8000 B.C. Copper castings first appeared around 4000 B.C. by the Egyptians, and 500 years later, around 3500 B.C., it was alloyed with tin to produce Bronze. In mythology and alchemy, copper was associated with the goddess Aphrodite, relating to its radiant beauty and use in producing mirrors. The name copper is derived from the Latin aes Cyprium, which means "metal of Cyprus," which was later shortened to cyprium, and later corrupted to cuprum.

Unless it's treated, copper jewelry will oxidize over time. Usually, copper will patina into a beautiful shade of green. Copper usually reacts harmlessly with skin oils to turn both itself and surrounding skin green. Rings and other pieces that are worn more constantly have a higher chance of reacting with skin.

One of the largest concentrations of native copper in the world is in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Upper Michigan. In the United States, Arizona has the second largest copper deposit. Other localities include England, Australia, Germany, Russia, and Bolivia. Although folk lore abounds with stories of how the wearing of copper helps ease the pain and discomfort of arthritis, you might want to own jewelry made from copper just because it makes a beautiful piece of jewelry.

Taking Inventory of Your Handmade Jewelry Collection

2009-07-29T17:03:00.001-07:00

By cataloging your current handmade jewelry collection, you will be able to appreciate how much jewelry you have and establish similarities relating to the pieces that you have. Your jewelry may stick to an analogous style - artistic, modern, contemporary, traditional, or antique. Possibly you will become aware of that you have a preference silver to gold, handmade to production, or diamonds to colored gemstones, or other gemstones. Arranging your jewelry in groups makes you more aware of what works and what doesn't.

Depending on your personal favorites, you might like to organize your handmade jewelry collection by grouping like items collectively - rings with rings, necklaces with necklaces, or you might fancy joining your jewelry according to style or color. For example, you might place an antique ring, earrings, and bracelet set together. You might have a designer collection of contemporary pieces in a similar style or color that you desire to keep as a look.

When you open up your jewelry box and try to coordinate your jewelry with an outfit, do you look for a particular color of jewelry? Sort out your items in a way that works best for your way of life. You can disregard all the rules you have learned concerning mixing fashion jewelry with fine designer jewelry. Most jewelry designers won't tell you this, but it is okay to mix a quality man-made ruby ring with natural ruby earrings, providing that they look lovely together. It is even okay to wear copper pieces with gold pieces together and to blend colored gemstones together. Two tone metal earrings, bracelets, and necklaces are currently fashionable.

After grouping your jewelry, take a good, lengthy look...and ask yourself: What pieces do I wear all the time? What items don't I wear? Why do I wear some pieces and not others? The answers to these questions might be for practical reasons. For example, you might have pieces that need to be cleaned, or pieces that should be repaired, and that's why you don't wear them. At times the motive you do not wear a piece of jewelry is less logical, but more emotional. An item of jewelry may be linked with a previous relationship. While it once held a very special meaning, it now reminds you of sorrowful memories and so resides concealed in the bottom of your jewelry box. Get those pieces out of your jewelry case so they don't negatively influence all the good vibes that your positive jewelry posses.

While you have your jewelry out, and you are glaring at all of your great pieces, you should make several lists. First, write down the pieces you have, particularly the ones of value. This forces you to take stock of those pieces that ought to kept carefully and that might also need insuring in case of loss or theft. Second, start writing down a wish list. Write down all those pieces you wish you had to go with the pieces you already have. Keep this list in your jewelry armoire as a note of what you would like. When you see a picture in a magazine or an item on your list, tear it out and place it with your wish list. This helps you envision the jewelry you hope to purchase.

Your wish list will then direct you with any jewelry buying choices in the future. You may own a fantastic freshwater pearl necklace that belonged to your great-grandmother, but you seldom wear it because you don't have any earrings to go with it. Your loved ones will appreciate a wish list, since it makes gift buying a lot easier. Alluding to how great your unique carnelian bracelet would look with a carnelian ring might be just the ruse to receiving what you want on your next birthday or holiday. Building a wish list can also help you see pieces in your collection that can be transformed in the future into what you desire. Think creatively about which items might gain new life in another form. Contact a talented jewelry designer that designs custom handcrafted jewelry and transform that old item into something marvelous.

Most notably, taking stock of your current handmade jewelry and producing a wish list of what you would desire helps you in coordinating your jewelry look. The most important objective of assessing your jewelry collection is to build a cohesive jewelry ensemble that coordinates easily with any outfit. This ensures you will have pieces that match rather than a mishmash of items that end up getting lost in the shuffle and using up prized space. Once you have ordered your jewelry, you are ready to think about your jewelry collection as a whole.