Magical Metal

Metal has been used to make jewelry since ancient times. Gold was first used in 6000 BC! Copper followed in 4200 BC and silver in 4000 BC.

Today, metals used in jewelry are divided into two groups - precious and base. The precious metals are silver, gold and platinum; all other metals are considered base metals.

Copper, Brass & Bronze Collar

Metals can be either elements, for example iron, copper or niobium, or alloys which are mixtures of elements. Alloys can be a base metal like brass (copper and zinc) or a precious metal like sterling silver (silver and copper). Generally, alloys are created to improve the color, workability or durability of metal.

​The metals I use most are:

Sterling Silver which is an alloy of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper and is often referred to as .925 silver. The copper is added to make the silver stronger and more durable without changing its color.

Copper which is one of the oldest metals in use. I love its warm color, either highly polished or with a dark patina. Copper is easy to shape and a joy to work with.

Oxidized Copper Bracelets

Bronze Bubble Necklace

Brass which is an alloy of copper and zinc. I use red brass (also known as jeweler's bronze) which is 85% copper and 15% zinc. Red brass has a color similar to 14kt gold.

Bronze which is an alloy of 92% copper and 8% tin. Its color is just a bit warmer than red brass. While bronze is a little stiffer to work with than copper or brass, I love the color.

Gold fill which is made by bonding karat gold to a base metal, usually brass, using a combination of heat and pressure. By law, to be called gold-filled at least 20% of the metal by weight must be karat gold and the karat weight of the gold cannot be lower than 10kt. The gold-filled wire I use is 20% 12kt or 14kt gold bonded to red brass. Gold filling is much more durable than gold plating.

Gold-filled Bead & Wire Ring

I'm passionate about making metal jewelry. I love the feel of metal and the very different looks I can achieve with it. View my collections to see all the ways in which I use metal.