Valentine's Day Gift Ideas - Gift Guide

In our Valentine's Day Gift Guide, we offer collections at various price points and designs.

You can even 'go all out', get everything gift wrapped, add a card and send to the gift recipient (if you so wish).

We offer help with the decision or can create the one-of-a-kind custom piece - something special, no-one else has.

Find our gift guide here

or visit our Valentine's Day Gift category here.

Personalized Gift Ideas

Always popular gift ideas are these personalized key rings. I have several other models available and with express shipping, there is still plenty of time to order them for Christmas.

Free Shipping - Worldwide!

We now offer free shipping, worldwide. Please click on the photo to visit our collections.

**Please order your Christmas gifts early to avoid disappointment**

Matching Necklaces for 3 Friends

We have lots of different matching necklace designs for couples/friends or other pairs of two, but only a few sets for 3. I want to introduce two heart sets, one in the shape of a jigsaw, the other one split up with a dynamic zig zag. Both of those sets are made out of stainless steel and can be stamped with initials. They will be listed shortly or contact me.

The third set is hand cut out of a large brass circle.

 

Map Necklaces, Germany, Australia, Spain and France

 Great Necklaces if you like your country or love to go on holidays. The map pendants can be combined with gemstones, other charms or crystals.

Classic Calla Lily Necklace

 A combination of gorgeous Czech glass beads and a classic calla lily pendant, hand-cast in Australia. Great gift idea.

Deal of the Month - October - Sold

Sold now.

Handmade Copper Stud Earrings - Finally back in Stock

After years of not making them I am finally back to offering my popular solid copper stud earrings again. These are great for every day or to put into your additional piercings to match your larger copper earrings.

The earrings are handmade by me, this is the process description I have on my website:

What goes into making the cute little copper dot stud earrings:

 I start with a length of solid copper wire. With a jeweler's torch, I melt one end into a little ball and cut the finished earring into the right length. The earring then has to go into an acid bath, to remove the black fire scale (oxidization) it has picked up due to the heat. After the acid treatment it needs to get rinsed and then I file the thin end into a rounded shape so that you don't injure your ears when putting it in.

After I have done that, the earring goes into a rotary tumbler where it is being moved around together with stainless steel shot, water and dish washing liquid for 2-3 hours. This serves to harden and polish the earring. It is being rinsed again after that, dried and polished with a soft cloth.

Quite a journey for the humble stud earring, but it is handmade, after all.

CHARM NECKLACE WITH PLATYPUS PENDANT - A DIFFERENT AUSTRALIAN NECKLACE

I have added a new, somewhat unusual charm necklace to my collection of Australian charm necklaces. For this necklace, I attached a platypus charm.

Again - the charm is accompanied by two Australian gemstones, a mookaite and a chrysoprase.

*The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus), also known as the duck-billed platypus, is a semiaquatic egg-laying mammal endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania. Together with the four species of echidna, it is one of the five extant species of monotremes, the only mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth. The animal is the sole living representative of its family. The unusual appearance of this egg-laying, duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed mammal baffled European naturalists when they first encountered it, with some considering it an elaborate hoax. It is one of the few venomous mammals, the male platypus having a spur on the hind foot that delivers a venom capable of causing severe pain to humans.

I made this necklace in reference to the famous 'Rainbow Snake'.

- The Rainbow Snake is a common deity in the mythology and a common motif in the art of Aboriginal Australia. It is named for the obvious identification between the shape of a rainbow and the shape of a snake. When the rainbow is seen in the sky, it is said to be the Rainbow Serpent moving from one waterhole to another, and the divine concept explained why some waterholes never dried up when drought struck. The rainbow snake is one of the most common and well known aboriginal stories, very important to their society. The Rainbow Serpent is one of the oldest continuing religious beliefs in the world and continues to be a cultural influence today.

Personalized Dog Tag Necklaces - Great Gift Idea

 Dog tag necklaces are very versatile and therefore very popular. They come in lots of shapes and metal options (see photo below) and can be stamped with text, numbers, star sign constellation and other symbols.

Several can be worn at once, longer or shorter chains are available.

Brooches - Handmade with your Choice of Gemstone

I have made a batch of brooches, showcasing different gemstones and glass beads. Some brooches are abstract, others have a flower design and the large, oval silver one has some flowery, celtic design.

Every design can be made with your choice of gemstone or glass stone.

A different way to accessorize a plain top and great to combine with earrings or a bracelet.

What you pay is what you get...

I love this photo.
It so nicely demonstrates what happens when people ask for cheaper and cheaper work. Quality has it's price.

Wire Wrapped Earrings, Handmade Jewelry

Turning wire and beads into signature earrings. This is solid copper wire, formed, hammered and wire wrapped. The finished earrings are oxidized and then tumble polished to achieve the dark gray colour. These are available in a large range of colors and metal finishes.

Classic Jewelry

Genuine gemstones, wire wrapped to solid stainless steel necklaces, Great affordable gift idea.

Art Nouveau Brooch

For anyone interested in antique jewelry:

This one is a handmade art nouveau style brooch (made somewhere around 1905 give or take a couple of years).

It is made in a simple wire design (9ct gold) and set with two garnet topped doublets as flowers.

The garnet topped doublet was popular in the 18th and 19th century and used in Victorian and Edwardian jewelry.  Once it was discovered that glass fuses easily with garnet, this technique was used to imitate ruby, sapphire, emerald and other colored gemstones. The top, (crown) was garnet, the bottom (pavilion) was green, blue, or red glass, an optical illusion, only the color of the bottom layer shows- the garnet provides no color, but since garnet is much harder than glass, these composite stones last much longer compared to simple paste (glass).

Coral - Colors, Facts and Lore

Facts about Coral
Coral is more popular than ever for jewellery, despite trade and harvesting regulations related to the importance of this creature to the ecosystems of the world. Here is some information about coral, including a description of different colours, coral care, and some coral lore.
 

Basic Coral Facts

Coral is an organic gemstone derived from the skeletons of a marine animal related to jellyfish and anemones. Coral polyps live in colonies and some types of coral form reefs, which are home to approximately 25% of the species in the ocean. Coral is composed primarily of calcium carbonate and gets it colour from natural pigments such as carotene. Coral is not used fresh from the ocean, but goes through a series of processing steps before it is used for jewellery. These steps may include chemical treatment, tumbling, heating, sawing, and polishing.

Colors of Coral

In addition to coral substitutes, which include plastic, glass, and seashell, genuine coral is often dyed to resemble a more rare or desired variety. However, natural coral that is suitable for jewelry is found in many colors:

Black Coral

Antipathes grandis
Black coral is rare. When it has been polished it shines with an incredible luster. Some black coral may be coral in an early stage of decay, since it is found just below the water's surface. However, Hawaiian black coral is found at depths exceeding 200 feet! A colony of Hawaiian black coral requires 50 years to mature.

Blue Coral

Allopora subviolacea, Allopora akori
Blue coral is found near the water's surface and is believed to be coral in an early state of decay.

Golden Coral

Golden coral is found off of Hawaii. It has a resinous or lacquered appearance.

Pink Coral

Corrallium secundumPink coral is very dense and relatively hard. Its colour runs the entire spectrum of pinks, from almost white to pink to nearly red. Natural marbling and colour gradations in larger pink corals are natural qualities of the gem. All shades of pink coral are highly prized. Pink coral is sometimes called angel skin coral.

Red Coral

Corallium japonicum, Corallium rubrum, Corallium nobileRed coral is highly valued for its hardness, beauty, and colour. Red coral is found in several places, including the sandy bottom of the Mediterranean, around the Hawaiian Islands, and off the coast of Africa. Hawaiian red coral is found at ocean depths of 500-1,000 feet. Red coral only grows about 1/4 inch per year!
   

The primary colors of precious coral are red (Sardinian), dark purplish oxblood red, salmon (peach), pink, angelskin, white and blush. SOLID salmon or dark peachy pink is Sciacca, and SOLID pink is angelskin. This last one deviates from the origin of the name angelskin, which refers to the more white colour with a uniform pink hue. These SOLID colors (Sardinian, Sciacca, Angelskin) along with SOLID white (Ionian Sea and VERY, VERY rare as the lack of light to achieve pigmentation is only found at extreme depths) are the most precious and valuable corals in the world. Blush and other variations can also be precious coral (primarily if they are Mediterranean), although not quite as valuable as solid colors, but still investment grade, durable and beautiful.

The photo shows, from left to right, white, pink, salmon and oxblood coral, plus an angel skin coral cameo (framed by tiny natural pearls).

Caring for Coral

Coral is a very soft gemstone, so it needs to be treated gently. Clean coral jewellery by wiping it gently with a moist soft cloth. Because it is naturally porous, coral can be damaged by exposure to chemicals such as perfumes and hair styling aids. When not being worn, coral should be stored carefully to avoid scratches. If your Coral starts to get dry or as a prevention, wipe with baby oil once a year. Let it soak in for a day and wipe all residue off.

Coral Lore

Many myths and legends surround coral. Coral artifacts have been found from as long ago as 10,000 B.C. Many special properties are attributed to it:
Coral is one of the seven treasures listed in Buddhist scriptures.
Coral was thought to be able to calm the sea.
Coral was believed to protect from lightning and hurricanes.
Coral was worn as a talisman to stop bleeding.
If the wearer of coral became seriously ill, it was believed the coral would lose its colour.
Ancient Romans would put coral around the necks of their children to protect them from harm.
Pulverized coral added to wine was believed to be a potent curative tonic (Ancient Rome).
In Medieval times, coral was used to ward off the evil eye and to cure sterility.
Italian men once presented coral as an engagement gift.

Source: Facts about Coral, Wedunit Jewels

Gemstone: Labradorite

Labradorite is a wonderful gemstone. It is used extensively in settings of sterling silver, brass and copper - not so often in more precious metal

"Labradorite is a member of the Feldspar family and is treasured for its remarkable play of color, known as labradorescence. The stone, usually gray-green, dark gray, black or grayish-white, is composed in aggregate layers that refract light as iridescent flashes of peacock blue, gold, pale green, or coppery red. The predominant blue varies within the light, displaying hues from deepest blue to various shades of pale, almost blue-green. It was discovered in Labrador, Canada, by Moravian missionaries in 1770 who named it for the area. It is, however, referenced in legends by older Inuit tribes, and was known to be in use by the Boethuk peoples of Newfoundland and Labrador. It became a popular gem in Europe in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries."[Simmons, 225][Eason, 163][Melody, 367]

Mystic Gemstones

Mystic Treatment of Gemstones

Mystic Topaz started coming onto the market around 1998. Back then, only the peacock-green color was available. It didn't sell very well and nearly disappeared until approx. 2003, when Mystic Topaz stones were available in a myriad of colors. Sales took off and the stones are expected to even surpass the super popular Blue Topaz.


Creating a 'mystic' gemstone is an enhancement process whereby titanium is deposited onto the natural, colorless (and inclusion free) gemstone by Physical Vapor Deposition. Very little heat is involved in the process that improves the optical properties and provides a kaleidoscope of color. The Mystic Topaz process used to be covered by strict U.S. patent filed by a company called Azotic, and they were the only legal manufacturer of Mystic Topaz. The applied treatment is durable, hard, and only a few microns in thickness.

With care, the enhancement will last the life of the jewelry setting.The mystic treatment is now also available in the less expensive Garnet, Labradorite and Quartz varieties. Gemstones are available worldwide.

Pinchbeck - The ancient, surprising Metal

Pinchbeck has become almost a general term for all jewelry made out of substitutes for gold. Also known under various fancy names like Tombac, Prince's Metal and Mosaic Gold, the ingredients of all the alloys are copper and zinc, the same metals which are used in compounding brass, but in Pinchbeck the zinc is used in a lesser proportion.  In brass it varies from one to three, to two to three, while in Pinchbeck, it is about one part to ten. There must, however, it seems to me, have been some further trade secret, either in the process of manufacture or in the after-treatment, to account for the much superior wearing qualities and color of Pinchbeck. Possibly a slight wash of gold was used on the surface to prevent tarnish. This has remained in the hollows,and on the rubbed parts the very friction which wore away the gilding would serve to keep the metal in bright condition.The metal was first put on the market by a certain Christopher Pinchbeck (1670 - 1732), who is said to have invented it,and it soon became exceedingly popular. The appearance, especially when new, was so like gold, that it appealed at once to all those who, either from thrift or lack of means, thought real gold too expensive a material to use for the less important articles of personal ornament.
Another motive for wearing it, is that things made of this metal made a special appeal to travelers In those days when a journey of even a few miles out of town led through roads infested by thieves and highway robbers, careful folk preferred not to tempt these "gentlemen of the road" by wearing expensive ornaments unless traveling with a good escort; so not only would a traveler with a base metal watch and buckles lose less if robbed, but owing to the freemasonry which existed between innkeepers and postilions and the highwaymen, they were actually less likely to be stopped, as it was not worthwhile to run risks for such a poor spoil. Therefore while of course much of it was made to enable the wearers to make a fair show at a small expense, a good deal was also made for the "nobility and gentry," who used such things as watches, sword-hilts, and buckles made of it.>p> >

A great deal of jewelry was made out of it, and it was very well patronized; but it aroused the indignation of the workers in the genuine metal, and legal proceedings were instituted, with the result that after a time the alloy was only allowed to be used for such things as shoe buckles, buttons, etc., which did not much compete with the regular goldsmith's work. It has been said that with Edward Pinchbeck's death the secret of the correct method of making it, whatever it was,died out, but metal bearing a close resemblance to it continued to be used well into the nineteenth century, until the process of electro-gilding made it easy and cheap to deposit a wash of gold on any metal as required. Brass articles with a coating of gold are often passed of as Pinchbeck, and even if they are without the gilding some dealers think "Pinchbeck" sounds better and helps to sell their stock. If unacquainted with the respective appearance of the metals, brass may be distinguished by having a metallic smell, especially when a little warmed by being held and rubbed in the hand. Rolled gold which is sometimes offered for it is quite a modern invention and consists of an exceedingly thin plate of gold on a background of inferior metal. The gold forms a part of the sheet, wire or whatever it is, before being made up, and is not a wash or coating added after.
Genuine Pinchbeck has the color and the weight of 20k gold. Another motive for wearing it, is that things made of this metal made a special appeal to travelers In those days when a journey of even a few miles out of town led through roads infested by thieves and highway robbers, careful folk preferred not to tempt these "gentlemen of the road" by wearing expensive ornaments unless traveling with a good escort; so not only would a traveler with a base metal watch and buckles lose less if robbed, but owing to the freemasonry which existed between innkeepers and postilions and the highwaymen, they were actually less likely to be stopped, as it was not worthwhile to run risks for such a poor spoil. Therefore while of course much of it was made to enable the wearers to make a fair show at a small expense, a good deal was also made for the "nobility and gentry," who used such things as watches, sword-hilts, and buckles made of it
A great deal of jewelry was made out of it, and it was very well patronized; but it aroused the indignation of the workers in the genuine metal, and legal proceedings were instituted, with the result that after a time the alloy was only allowed to be used for such things as shoe buckles, buttons, etc., which did not much compete with the regular goldsmith's work. It has been said that with Edward Pinchbeck's death the secret of the correct method of making it, whatever it was,died out, but metal bearing a close resemblance to it continued to be used well into the nineteenth century, until the process of electro-gilding made it easy and cheap to deposit a wash of gold on any metal as required. Brass articles with a coating of gold are often passed of as Pinchbeck, and even if they are without the gilding some dealers think "Pinchbeck" sounds better and helps to sell their stock. If unacquainted with the respective appearance of the metals, brass may be distinguished by having a metallic smell, especially when a little warmed by being held and rubbed in the hand. Rolled gold which is sometimes offered for it is quite a modern invention and consists of an exceedingly thin plate of gold on a background of inferior metal. The gold forms a part of the sheet, wire or whatever it is, before being made up, and is not a wash or coating added after.
Genuine Pinchbeck has the color and the weight of 20k gold.