|
Additional Information Regarding Personalized Hand Stamped Jewelry
What is hand stamped jewelry? TOP
Hand stamped jewelry is created by using individual metal stamps to create an impression of a letter or design into metal. Each letter or design has its own stamp and each one is applied to the metal one at time to create words, dates or phrases.
What is the difference between stamping and engraving? TOP
Stamping is the processes of making an impression in the metal while engraving cuts grooves into the metal to create letters, words and designs. Creating hand stamped jewelry is done by hand only while engraving can be done by hand or machine.
What is oxidizing? TOP
Natural oxidation of silver occurs from the interaction of silver and sulfides in the air and is what turns silver gold, brown and black. The oxidization of stamped jewelry is done using Liver of Sulfur (LOS) to create the blackened effect on the stamped letters quickly and easily. The excess oxidation is removed when the piece is polished yet leaves the stamped impressions blackened.
How do I know the maximun number of letters that will fit on a piece? TOP
I don't state the maximum number of letters that will fit on each design because it varies with not only the size of the piece but the font used. Each font set (and letter within that font set) requires a different amount of space to create the impression. The fancy font allows for the most number of characters while the Casual and Large Font allow for the least number of characters. If you are unsure if your requested words or text will fit on a design, just ask and I will be able to tell you if it will fit.
What gauge (thickness) metal is best for hand stamped jewelry? TOP
Metal thickness is usually classified by gauge ranging from 2 - 30. The lower the gauge number the thicker the metal is. When creating stamped jewelry, the thicker the metal the less distortion on the reverse side of the piece as the metal is moved away to make the impression. I use 14 - 22 gauge metal in my designs. This allows for me to be able to not only offer a smooth finish on the reverse side and a more substantial finished product, but to be able to also stamp on the reverse side of any design using 20 gauge or thicker metal.
Why should I care if the components and/or jump rings are soldered closed? TOP
A jump ring is used at the top of each charm and pendant so that they can easily hang on a chain or cord, are used to attach charms to a charm bracelet or to connect components together in a bracelet or necklace. An open jump ring has a slit through the metal to allow it to open and close. If this slit is not soldered closed (joined together through the heating of each end and adding a molten filler to join and bind them together) it can open up over time and your charm or pendant can fall off.
I solder close all of my components and jump rings to create these more secure connections unless requested otherwise (you want to add a charm to an existing charm bracelet).
Can I request other finishes? TOP
Yes, each piece comes standard with a high polish shiny finish. Any of these designs can also be finished with a brushed satin finish. Just let me know your preference in the comments box when making your purchase.
What if I don't see a design I am looking for? TOP
Just shoot me an email (alaiynabdesigns@flash.net) with a brief description of what you are looking for and we can discuss and create your own unique one of a kind personalized jewelry.
|
