I use Art Clay Silver for the feature part of these, and sterling silver* for the earwires.
The earrings drop 58mm from piercing, and are 12mm at the widest point of the lower petal.
For extra interest and a really modern look, I've utilised both the positive and the negative options of the textures, with the upper and lower petals having positive or negative on one, wich is reversed on the other.
I've also given the top petal a light, golden patination using liver of sulphur to accentuate the beautiful textures, which are reverse images of the lower petal.
They are medium weight at 4.6 grams each with plenty of articulation from the handmade jumprings
You can see my process in my blog post of 13/04/23
( https://dawngilldesigns.wordpress.com/?p=2902 )
If you would like a bespoke pair, with Argentium earwires please contact me, as I'll be happy to make a pair just for you.
I took these photos on a bright (but cold!) January afternoon
These aren't hallmarked, as they are below the 7.78g threshold that's the legal requirement for Assay here in the UK.
*I've been using Eco silver since 2016, but now all the silver elements in all my jewellery are certified recycled by my bullion dealer - it's made from the waste and offcuts returned and reclaimed in the jewellery process, which means it's environmental impact is significantly lower than if mined afresh. Thanks for looking!
Fine and sterling silver textured, long drop earrings
Sterling Silver will eventually oxidise or tarnish. It's a natural process that can be slowed down by regular wear and by keeping unworn items away from the atmosphere. If you leave your jewellery out on display, this oxidisation will be faster. You can polish up your items, with a soft cloth, some silver polish, or a buffing cloth such as Town Talk, which is readily available from any high street jewellers in the UK
Fine silver is 99.9% silver, and because of this the tarnish rate is much, much slower. Again, a buff should do the job for polishing it back up. If I have patinated your silver already, be gentle when buffing!
Each piece should stand up to regular wear, but , as with all jewellery, please remove it before washing, using chemicals or applying perfume etc
Apply body lotion and perfume a few minutes before putting on your jewellery to help slow down tarnish
The sterling silver used in these items was sold to me by my bullion dealer ass certified recycled.
he gemstones I use have been sold to me by reputable dealers as untreated (unless stated specifically in the listing). They are a natural, organic creation from the earth and each one will be slightly different. You can see examples of this on my Facebook page.
I select the stones that I think go together best for each project, hence my comments that each item is individual.Returns - standard UK distance selling rules apply, which is for a return and refund (excluding delivery) of items that are unsuitable within 14 days, or of course if they arrive damaged. Exclusions from this standard legislations are for bespoke pieces and for items of a 'personal nature' which generally means items for a piercing.
So, in summary - Can I return my piece if I don't like it, or it doesn't fit?
I'm happy to have you return your item, if you do so promptly, with it's original packaging, and it's unworn in the original condition. However unless it was faulty, I can't absorb the postage - if you are returning an item that had postage included within it, for a reason other than it being faulty, there will be a restocking fee of £5 representative of an element of the postage and packing costs. If you are returning any of my other items, I will refund you for the jewellery only, not the postage paid. Please contact me before returning a piece so I can advise you which level of postage you need to use so you are insured against it being lost by Royal Mail
If you place an order, I aim to have it in the post within 2 business days, unless it's made to order, in which case the current lead in times are listed within the item description - usually within a week.
Delivery - I use Royal Mail, and charge the cost of the post for an item; Currently I have 3 bands of postage pricing; for items below £20 in value,; for items between £20 and £50 and for items between £50 and £250. If you buy multiple items, the total value will dictate the postage cost. This is so that they are insured against loss or damage in transit.
Everything fits in a large letter box, so it will fit securely through your letter box.
Postage to Australia - Jewellery is prohibited from import
Jewellery is on Australia Post's prohibited list. This means I CAN NOT sent it directly to you in Australia without describing it incorrectly on the customs form and risking your order being confiscated.
If you are ordering a gift for someone elsewhere, I will be delighted to post directly to them, or, if you are happy to take the chance of your item being held at customs we'll give it a go. Please send me a message either before placing or within your order
I apologise for the disappointment that this has caused you.
The information regarding this is on the UK Royal Mail website here -
https://www.royalmail.com/australiaIt's law in the UK, that precious metals for sale, heavier than 7.78grams (silver) / 1gram (gold) must be formally assayed (ie tested, verified & hallmarked)
Here's the link:
https://www.assayofficelondon.co.uk/media/1431/dealers_notice_2015.pdf
A relatively new silver alloy, this is sold by my bullion dealer as 935 (so has a higher proportion of silver than sterling) with the other element being germanium. It's sold as hypoallergenic and is well-suited for those who are unable to wear traditional Sterling silver jewellery. Argentium also has antibacterial properties.
Argentium Silver alloys do not contain nickel.
More information available here:
https://www.argentiumsilver.com/
When something I've made is described as being from Silver Clay, I've made it in a similar way to traditional ceramics, except that when the piece is fired (either on my gas hob, or my tiny UltraLite Kiln aka Mr Tumnus) it turns from clay into fine silver, hallmarkable as 99.9 silver. It's magical alchemy, and I love the process.
This is a product from Japan, and is made as a by product of the silver refining process. It's more expensive, gram for gram than traditional sterling silver, but it gives the option of moulding and sculpting pieces
It's a little softer than sterling silver, because of it's purity but it also doesn't tarnish as quickly - it's the copper in sterling that gives it it's extra strength and it's also the copper that tarnishes.
The brand of silver clay I prefer is Art Clay Silver
Everything is made using sterling silver. Many pieces are unique and one of a kind items, some are ranges.
Bullion (ie raw precious metal) is expensive and increases in price regularly.
I've decided that rather than increase the price of all my old stock to reflect this, I will just update the new pieces to reflect the cost of the metal when I bought it. This is why you will find some spinner rings, for example at different price points.
The sterling I use is supplied by a UK manufacturer as fully recycled with a minimum fineness of 92.5% silver; the remaining element of the alloy being copper.
Copper items are 100% copper
Within my making process I use food grade citric acid, vegan polishes, Liver of Sulphur, food grade Sodium Bicarbonate, Renaissance Wax finally cleaning each item with tap water and ‘Simple’ branded face soap.
Each piece I make will stand up to regular wear, but, as with all jewellery, please keep it away from children, don’t eat it, remove it before washing, using chemicals, applying perfume etc.
Apply body lotion and perfume a few minutes before putting on your jewellery to help slow down tarnish.
The gemstones I use have been sold to me by reputable UK dealers as untreated (unless stated specifically in the listing). They are a natural, organic creation from the earth and each one will be slightly different.
It's law in the UK, that precious metals for sale, heavier than 7.78grams (silver) / 1gram (gold) must be formally assayed (ie tested, verified & hallmarked)
https://www.assayofficelondon.co.uk/media/1431/dealers_notice_2015.pdf
The sterling I use is supplied by a UK manufacturer as fully recycled with a minimum fineness of 92.5% silver; the remaining element of the alloy being copper.
Copper items are 100% copper
Within my making process I use food grade citric acid, vegan polishes, Liver of Sulphur, food grade Sodium Bicarbonate, Renaissance Wax finally cleaning each item with tap water and ‘Simple’ branded face soap.
Each piece I make will stand up to regular wear, but, as with all jewellery, please keep it away from children, don’t eat it, remove it before washing, using chemicals, applying perfume etc.
Apply body lotion and perfume a few minutes before putting on your jewellery to help slow down tarnish.
The gemstones I use have been sold to me by reputable UK dealers as untreated (unless stated specifically in the listing). They are a natural, organic creation from the earth and each one will be slightly different.
It's law in the UK, that precious metals for sale, heavier than 7.78grams (silver) / 1gram (gold) must be formally assayed (ie tested, verified & hallmarked)
https://www.assayofficelondon.co.uk/media/1431/dealers_notice_2015.pdf
The sterling I use is supplied by a UK manufacturer as fully recycled with a minimum fineness of 92.5% silver; the remaining element of the alloy being copper.
Copper items are 100% copper
Within my making process I use food grade citric acid, vegan polishes, Liver of Sulphur, food grade Sodium Bicarbonate, Renaissance Wax finally cleaning each item with tap water and ‘Simple’ branded face soap.
Each piece I make will stand up to regular wear, but, as with all jewellery, please keep it away from children, don’t eat it, remove it before washing, using chemicals, applying perfume etc.
Apply body lotion and perfume a few minutes before putting on your jewellery to help slow down tarnish.
The gemstones I use have been sold to me by reputable UK dealers as untreated (unless stated specifically in the listing). They are a natural, organic creation from the earth and each one will be slightly different.
It's law in the UK, that precious metals for sale, heavier than 7.78grams (silver) / 1gram (gold) must be formally assayed (ie tested, verified & hallmarked)
https://www.assayofficelondon.co.uk/media/1431/dealers_notice_2015.pdf