However, the appeal of these pendants goes beyond their physical attributes. They serve as a badge of honor, showcasing the wearer's hunting prowess and skills. When a hunter wears a broadhead pendant, it signifies their dedication to hunting, their respect for the wilderness, and their deep understanding of the hunter-prey dynamic.
Moreover, these pendants also capture the spirit of hunting. They serve as a tangible reminder of the thrill, challenge, and satisfaction that comes with each hunt. Wearing a broadhead pendant is a testament to one's love for hunting, making it an integral part of their identity. It is these special attributes that make broadhead pendants more than just pieces of metal, but symbols of a rich and rewarding lifestyle.
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Outdoor-themed jewelry in modern times is more than just aesthetically pleasing trinkets. It allows wearers to express their love for the great outdoors and demonstrates their individuality. From charms representing various elements of nature or bespoke pieces crafted from naturally occurring materials, each item serves as a unique extension of the wearer's adventures and experiences.
Consumers have grown increasingly conscious of sustainability and environmental friendliness in the last few decades. This heightened awareness has pushed jewelry makers to incorporate eco-friendly practices and materials. Consequently, recycled metals, ethical gemstones, and non-toxic production methods are commonplace in outdoor-themed jewelry production.
Technology has also evolved along with the times, contributing significantly to this genre's growth. High-tech equipment has enabled designers to incorporate intricate designs depicting vast landscapes, detailed flora or fauna, or even the fine lines of a topographic map into a small jewelry piece. Social media platforms serve as a stage for them to showcase their creations and for consumers to discover these treasures.
Equally important is the rise of online marketplaces. These platforms have globalized the availability of outdoor-themed jewelry, giving designers an avenue to reach a broader audience. Whether one is in New York or Tokyo, a piece representing one's favorite hiking trail or camping spot is just a few clicks away.
The modern era, ingrained with appreciation for the natural world, sustainability, technological advancements, and online accessibility, has given a new shape and thrust to outdoor-themed jewelry. Each piece now tells a story - of nature, adventure, and the indomitable human spirit.
In essence, outdoor-themed jewelry captures the spirit of nature, adventure, and the outdoors through design elements that resonate with individuals who appreciate the beauty of the natural world.
**Interested in learning more about my outdoor-themed jewelry? Send me an email to explore my collection or discuss a custom creation.**
Relax: Before attempting to remove the ring, take a few deep breaths and try to relax. Tension can make your fingers swell, making it even harder to remove the ring.
Lubrication: Apply a lubricant to your finger and the ring to reduce friction. You can use soap, hand lotion, or cooking oil Gently work the lubricant under the ring by twisting and turning it.
My favorite is Windex or any glass cleaner.
Elevate Your Hand: Raise your hand above your heart for a few minutes to encourage blood flow away from your finger, which may reduce swelling.
Cold Water: Soak your hand in cold water for a few minutes. Cold can help reduce swelling.
String or Dental Floss: Slide a piece of string or dental floss under the ring. Hold the end of the string and carefully wind it around your finger, moving toward the ring. This can compress the swelling and make it easier to slide the ring off.
Use a Ring Cutter: If the above methods do not work or if the ring is causing pain, consider visiting a jeweler or a medical professional. They have specialized tools called ring cutters that can safely remove the ring without harming your finger.
Professional Help: In severe cases where none of the above methods work, or if there are signs of significant swelling, it's crucial to seek medical attention immediately. A healthcare professional can safely remove the ring and address any potential issues.
It's important to avoid using excessive force or trying to cut the ring yourself with tools that are not designed for this purpose, as this can lead to injury. Always prioritize safety and seek professional help if necessary.
Preventing future incidents of stuck rings: To prevent future problems with stuck rings, consider having your rings resized if they are too tight. Additionally, remove your rings before activities that could cause your fingers to swell, such as intense physical activity or exposure to extreme heat.
]]>First, I think there is jewelry that will last 2 to 5 years. It’s what you see in department store discount cases, online at websites offering extremely low pricing and in chain stores offering 50%, 75% a and ridiculous discounts. The jewelry is mass produced overseas using lightweight, hollow mountings made from 10k gold or alloys created specifically to sell at low prices. Some of it can not even legally be stamped gold or platinum. Not to mention stores selling sterling silver engagement rings set with very low-quality diamonds. Folks, that stuff is not going to last. Don’t bother thinking it will, It will not
Jewelry that will last 5 to 10 years. In this level of jewelry, you can find some 14k gold, a little better diamonds but still fairly lightweight mountings. They use setting styles that are fast, efficient and done very cheaply overseas. These styles of setting will not hold up. If it’s easy to set a diamond, then it’s going to be easy for it to come out. Simple.
Jewelry for a lifetime. This jewelry will be well designed out of 14k, 18k gold, platinum, palladium etc. It has nice diamonds and gemstones, set with good-heavy prongs and beads or channels. I believe you don’t really see this type of jewelry discounted very much unless the retailer is truly trying to get rid of it because they have had it too long.
That brings up another thought, something a lot of jewelers don’t like reference to but it’s true. All of the parts of a piece of jewelry other than labor is basically commodities. We all buy gold and diamonds from the same places, Just Google it. There is a little discount for really large amounts but not that much. There are few core suppliers. So how is some jewelry made so cheap?
Well, less gold(lightweight), crap diamonds and gemstones and cheap labor overseas. A manufacture may get a diamond set in some third world country or China for a few cents. Please don’t get caught in the invisible set diamond trap. There are a couple high quality manufacturers out there of this type of setting but most of it is just plain crap. The diamonds will fall out. Period. They really can’t be sized or repaired except by the original manufacturer. Most of the manufactures don’t stay around either so…forget them. The chain stores love them because they look big without a lot of dollars.
So, yeah, if $300 is what you can afford, that’s great get something that means a lot to you but do so with the knowledge it probably won’t last forever.
So why does custom cost so dang much? Well, I make one piece at a time just for you. I design it, make a 3d printed wax, cast it, set the stones, polish it, all just for you. One piece for one person. It’s not one of a thousand made by a sweat shop somewhere you can’t pronounce. It is going to be a solid ring, not hollow, diamonds as nice as you want. I’ll make here in my studio in Downingtown, PA.
Today, I offer complete custom jewelry design, diamonds, lab created diamonds, Moissanite, Colored gemstones. You name it.
I work online and locally here in Downingtown, PA. by appointment.
]]>When a manufacturer creates a piece of jewelry for mass production, they go through a process of concept, design, create a sample, modify the sample if needed, create a mold, create a master model, then make multiple waxes from the mold. All of that is done before the first piece is created for a client. Then they can make a thousand from all that setup and work.
Below I’ve illustrated some of the parts to this process
For a custom piece, I start a discussion with a client to come up with a concept, we create a design, modify the design to make it possible to cast it. Create a wax model, Cast a piece. (Sometimes there needs to be a modification at this point) Sometimes a casting comes out with a flaw (not a big deal if you are casting 100 of them) when this happens, you make a new wax then cast again, then the typical finishing and setting. So, all the setup and design that goes into making a thousand pieces goes into making one piece just for you.
Jewelry Design Stage
So, why stainless? Damned if I know. Don’t get me wrong, I offer a few pieces that are 3d printed directly into steel. Did I say 3d printed directly? Yup. Casting steel is a very involved-expensive process. It’s a bear to polish, you must use a $30,000 laser welder to repair it. Uhmm, hey guy, you gained weight? Too bad. Get a new ring. I hope you’re not sentimental to the band you were married with.
Is it cheaper? Well, the crap from China is. From what I see Stainless jewelry made by hand in the US is priced on par with heavy Sterling Silver jewelry. Is it more durable? Sure. Can you fix it? Nope.
What about titanium and tungsten? I have sold both. Once again almost all of it comes from China or some country you can’t spell or pronounce. Can’t be sized, can’t be fixed, Well I did laser weld a crack in a 3d printed titanium ring I created. I wanted to see what it would take to break it.
Ouch, you broke your finger out playing? Too bad. You probably don’t have anything to get the ring cut off. Off to the hospital or fire station to get it done.
So, my thoughts on the alternative metals on your finger? Don’t. Have a well-made ring made in gold, silver, platinum or palladium. On the subject of silver rings. You can’t just take a design that is made for gold and make it in silver. Silver is weaker than gold, so it needs to be designed heavier and thicker.
Today, I offer complete custom jewelry design, diamonds, lab created diamonds, Moissanite, Colored gemstones. You name it.
I work online and locally here in Downingtown, PA. by appointment.
]]>First let me tell you. Gold does not turn your finger colors. The alloys that makes up the finished gold, the environment, your makeup, medicine, what you eat, how it fits your finger and your hygiene (Yup, I’ll say it).
Basically, anything your finger is exposed to can cause your finger to turn colors or irritated. Seldom anyone is “allergic” to the base gold, silver, platinum or palladium. So, let’s look at some of the basics of finger crud.
Number one on my list is just plain crud. It is surprising what I have cleaned from rings in over 20 years. I was going to include some pictures but some of them really are gross. Clean your ring once in a while. I can’t count the times I’ve heard “We’ve been married 20 years and I’ve never taken my ring off” Really? That’s just rough. Have a jewelry dish in your kitchen to place your rings in when you are working on something messy.
Number two is the opposite of number one…kind of. Cleaning products. Think about that cleaner you use to clean grease, crud, mold, mildew and a host of other nasty crap in your bathroom. Those chemicals are between your finger and your ring with no air and no light, hmmm. Yuck
Number three is cosmetics, lotions perfumes and all things body. Yeah that stuff you use to make you look good and smell good all get on your fingers and in between your finger and your ring with what did I say above? No light, no air. Think about it. On top of that. A lot of makeup is slightly abrasive, just like some of the abrasives we use to polish. If you want to see what that does to your hands just take a look at a working bench jeweler’s hands at the end of their day.
Number four. Drugs. No, not the illegal kind (Well maybe) but a lot of prescription and non-prescription drugs react with your body in different ways and you have this ring on with uhmm, no air and no light between it and your finger. Are you kind of getting the no light and no air thing?
Number five. What did you eat last night? Yeah, your body reacts with the foods you eat so have you made a diet change? Most of the time when you are truly reacting with the metal because of the metal, it is the alloys in the ring to make it the karat and make it more durable.
Here are some of the ways the gold you wear is created from pure gold. Each manufacturer has their only little brew, but the following gives you a idea of some of the things that can be in gold that messes with you
Normal 14K White Gold 58.3% fine gold |
Normal 18K White gold 75% fine gold |
14kt White Gold – Palladium Alloy |
18kt White Gold – Palladium Alloy |
14K Yellow Gold |
18K Yellow Gold |
14kt Rose gold |
18kt Rose gold |
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So this gives you a little “Insider Info” on we as jewelers think when we hear “I am allergic to gold”
I’ll write more about nickel allergies and other goodies about metal but this gives you a few things to think about if your finger is turning red, breaking out in a rash or whatever before you think it’s your ring.
]]>So, how do we make it white? I wrote a previous article talking about some of the things jewelers add to gold. The most common metal we add is a nickel. Yup, the same metal many people are allergic to. The more nickel, the whiter the gold but then it’s still not totally white like you see in the showcase and magazines. To combat that “off-color” the industry rhodium plates the jewelry to make it whiter. Yup, Rhodium is very white. Oh, did I say plate? Yeah, it’s going to wear off over time and must be re-plated regularly.
So, what is Rhodium? Why is it on your ring? Why shouldn’t you want it?
Rhodium is a pretty hard metal, about the same as titanium. It has several uses, one of them is in catalytic converters in cars. It’s very white, doesn’t tarnish, etc. etc. But who decided white gold had to be stark white? Damned if I know, I guess jewelers. So, since you were convinced white gold has to be stark white you are stuck with getting your ring re-plated at least once a year, maybe more.
here’s something to think about. Rose gold or pink gold. Yup, allowed to make it pink. Thank goodness someone hasn’t decided all rose gold has to be a bright rose that needed plating all the time.
Now, don’t get me wrong, we can alloy yellow gold to make it pretty dang white but hopefully you aren’t allergic to nickel. We can use palladium but that does give a little warmer-grey tone to the white.
So, to sum it up. Your ring is not turning yellow, it is the fake white Rhodium wearing off. Yeah, that $20,000 white gold ring is plated. Plated as in temporary. Now, don’t get me wrong, you wax your car a couple of times a year, why not plate your ring a couple of times a year. Now that I brought that up. How much do you pay to have your car detailed? Why is it everyone complains about how much jewelers need to charge to “Detail” your ring? Now, that sounds like another rant, I mean blog.
By the way, I’ll detail your ring for you any time. I have all the good stuff to do it. Yup, I’m going to charge you about the same as a car detail…maybe a little less.
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So, what makes a piece of jewelry custom? Damned if I know and I’ve been doing this for a lot of years and still don’t know what people think custom is. But I think it is a piece that is created for a person, conceived from discussions and planning between myself and a client. BUT,
I need to make it, Now I may not cast it (I admit I really suck at that) but I am going to make it. Admittedly to be custom it does not have to be made by the designer.
Once in a while, I get a request to “Create” something from a picture. Now if it is a picture from someone that has created it themselves, I say, go have them make it but many times it is a picture from someplace like Stuller (Google It) or some other mass-produced piece. Then I ask, what do you want to be changed? What do you like or dislike about it?
that’s cool if it is the piece you want but it’s not custom. I belong to several Facebook Jewelers Group and I always see posts like “Who can make this?” Uhmm you just posted a picture ask whoever made the piece in the picture to make it.
So, back to the original question. Who made it? Does it matter? Well, one thing that matters to me is a lot of “Custom Jewelry” is now made in China or other countries. Let’s face it, I can create a design, email it to China and have a casting in a couple of days a finished piece not much longer. Is it custom? It really is if it was designed just for you, but do you want your custom engagement ring or whatever it is made in a foreign country? Maybe you don’t care. No problem
But here are a few things to ask before you commit to having a piece of jewelry created for you.
Is this creation just for me? (It does cost extra)
Some of us bench jewelers wonder if there is still a market for truly custom jewelry. Seems like most people want a piece made as cheaply as possible. Custom jewelry is not cheap.
There are many, many hours involved in creating a piece of jewelry. When we create a piece of jewelry we design, make a wax, cast it (Hope it works) sometimes recreate it, make a wax, cast it then finish it. Setting stones etc. If we make a mistake, we make another wax, another casting and start over again. We are very proud of each piece we create for you. It is getting harder and harder to walk into a local jeweler and have a custom piece created just for you unless they are the jeweler themselves.