Jewellery Info

A piece of blackened or oxidized silver is true sterling silver, but its surface has been intentionally darkened through by introducing it to a chemical process. This patina, a surface colour that occurs when the silver is introduced to sulphides, is a speed up version of the natural tarnishing process. A layer of silver sulphide forms on the exterior of the metal giving it a blackened look.

A quick aside: The term oxidizing is a misnomer since the process is caused by the introduction of sulphides and not oxygen. But nevertheless, the industry terminology has stuck although it’s not technically correct.

We jewellers use a chemical compound such as liver of sulphur, a potassium sulphide, to create the blackened surface on silver jewellery. The range of colours that can be achieved from this process is extensive. At full strength, the colour will appear a matte gunmetal black. But with a controlled application, a whole rainbow of colours can be achieved including blues, purples, yellows, and reds.

Like other patinas, oxidized silver is just a surface treatment and does not change the internal colour or properties of the metal.

Care of Oxidized silver jewellery

Oxidized silver is only a surface treatment. Just the top layer of metal particles have been given that blackened colour. Over time and depending on the amount of wear you give your pieces, the oxidized finish will polish off and the true colour of the silver will shine through.

The look of your blackened silver piece will gradually change over time, so it’s best to brace yourself for the evolution of the piece when you purchase it.

Oxidized finishes have the longest life on pieces that come into minimal contact with their surroundings, such as earrings and necklaces. Rings and bracelets tend not to hold their colour quite as long since they rub on things we touch more frequently. Blackened finishes which have been applied to the recesses of a design tend to hold their colour best while the raised areas of the piece polish up over time.

It’s best to remove your oxidized silver jewellery before aggressive contact and when showering or washing your hands to prolong the dark colour. In general, oxidized silver jewellery should not be cleaned with jewellery cleaning dips or aggressive polishing that will strip the blackened surface. If cleaning is necessary, use mild dish detergent and soft toothbrush with as little rubbing as possible.

Some people may experience a blackening of the skin while wearing sterling silver jewellery. This may be caused by highly acidic perspiration or contact with other chemical agents like perfume, makeup, hairspray or cleaning products. Since sterling silver may be alloyed with copper some people may also experience a green staining of the skin. While rare, some people may have an allergic reaction to one of the metals alloyed with silver, usually appearing as a reddening of the skin or itching. None of these conditions are to be taken as an indication of the quality of the sterling silver.

With proper care your sterling silver jewellery will last a lifetime.
You should always remove your jewellery before putting on makeup, lotions, and perfumes or using hair products. Make sure these products have had time to absorb into your skin before you put your jewellery back on. Do not handle your jewellery after putting on hand lotion, as this can leave fingerprint marks that are very difficult to remove.
Never wear your jewellery when working with detergents, bleaches or any other household chemicals, as they will cause discoloration of the silver.
Never wear your sterling silver jewellery in a hot tub, mineral spring, swimming pool, or any other chemically treated water.
Wearing your jewellery often, may be one of the best ways to keep it looking beautiful and reduce tarnish build-up. After wearing, clean your jewellery by washing it with warm water and a mild soap, rinse well and dry thoroughly with a soft cotton cloth. This will help to remove any build-up of dirt, skin oils, makeup and perspiration.
After it is thoroughly dried you can use a silver polish cloth to quickly brighten it back up before storage. Always be sure your jewellery is completely dry before storing.

Do not allow your jewellery to come in contact with items containing sulphur.

Examples would be latex gloves, rubber bands, wool, and item’s containing elastic. Also several foods may cause silver to tarnish more rapidly, a few examples would be things like eggs, onions, olives, vinegar, salad dressings, salt, and fruit juices. Be sure to wash your hands after handling these items.
Store your sterling silver jewellery in a cool, dark place away from sources of sunlight, heat and moisture. To reduce scratching and tarnishing we recommend you store your pieces individually in small zip-lock plastic bags, removing as much air as possible. You may also want to put a small strip of anti-tarnish paper in each bag with the jewellery. Do not store your jewellery in paper, cardboard, or cotton filled boxes as these may contain traces of sulphur which will cause tarnishing.

In it’s pure form silver doesn’t tarnish much, however, because of the nature of its alloy does. This is not a defect in the material or an indication of inferior quality, but a natural chemical
process in which the silver reacts with sulphur particles in the air.
Regular cleaning of all your sterling silver jewellery is the best way to keep it bright and beautiful. One of the easiest ways to remove minor tarnish build-up is to use a silver polish cloth, like the one we carry, specifically designed to be used on jewellery. Regular light polishing with a polish cloth, being careful not to polish oxidized, plated or brushed finish areas, should be enough to keep your jewellery tarnish free. If Heavy tarnish build-up does occur you may need something a little stronger. We do not recommend the use of
liquid “dip” cleaners or “paste” silver cleaners as these usually create more problems than they solve. If your jewellery contains gemstones, antique oxidation or a brushed finish, we recommend you take it to a professional jeweller to be cleaned.

To remove heavy tarnish from plain (no gemstones or oxidation) silver pieces you may try the method below.
1. Line a shallow, flat, glass dish with aluminium foil.
2. Lay your silver jewellery on the foil, making sure the silver touches the aluminium.
3. Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the jewellery.
4. Boil enough distilled water to completely cover all of the jewellery.
5. Stand back and slowly pour the hot water over the jewellery until it is completely immersed. It should bubble up giving off a rotten egg smell.
6. With a wooden or plastic utensil, gently move the jewellery, making sure all silver surfaces touch the aluminium.
7. Carefully remove the jewellery and rinse thoroughly with distilled water. Use Caution – it will be HOT.
8. Dry completely with a soft cotton cloth, you can use a cotton-bud for difficult to reach areas. Let the jewellery air dry for a few minutes.
9. When completely dry, wipe off the jewellery with a silver jewellery polish cloth.
10. Store your jewellery in a plastic zip-lock bag, removing as much air as possible, until you are ready to wear it. Do not store in the plastic bag until the jewellery is completely dry.
Again, with proper care your sterling silver jewellery will last a lifetime. Just a few minutes of regular maintenance will be rewarded with a lifetime of enjoyment.

Rhodium is a precious metal in the platinum family, often used to plate white gold and sterling silver jewellery. It is a highly reflective, durable metal that gives jewellery a long lasting, brilliant sheen. The benefits of this process include a resistance to both scratching and
tarnishing. Sterling silver that has been plated with rhodium will take on a grey appearance, looking more like white gold than silver.
One important point to remember about jewellery that’s been rhodium plated is that the plating will wear down over time.
Fortunately, most jewellery can easily be re-plated by your local jeweller. The amount of time that passes before this will be necessary depends on several factors including: the original
thickness of the plating, your individual body chemistry (contact with skin will increase wear), the amount of time you have the jewellery on (frequent use will increase wear) and the care you take while wearing it and cleaning it. It is best to remove your jewellery, especially rings, before any activity where it will be in contact with chemicals or rubbing against other surfaces. You should never use any harsh chemicals, ultrasonic cleaners, pastes of any kind, polish cloths intended for use on un-plated silver or abrasives of any kind to clean the jewellery. The best method for cleaning rhodium plated jewellery is to use warm water and a mild soap to wash it with after each time you wear it, then dry with a soft cotton cloth and finally polish it with a microfiber cloth like those used for eyeglasses.

January: Garnet
February: Amethyst
March: Aquamarine
April: Diamond
May: Emerald
June: Pearl and Alexandrite
July: Ruby
August: Peridot
September: Sapphire
October: Tourmaline and Opal
November: Topaz and Citrine
December: Blue Topaz, Blue Zircon, Tanzanite and Turquoise

Amethyst
A stone prized by royalty throughout the ages for its regal purple hues, the amethyst is recognised as the birthstone for the month of February. It get its name from the Greek word "amthystos" which means "not dunk" as it was believed that the stone could protect the wearer from alcohol intoxication.

Aquamarine
This popular gemstone lacks diamond's fire and luster, but is intriguingly pure and clear. Belonging to the mineral family beryl, and nearly flawless (or free of chemical impurities), aquamarine is usually heated to permanently purify its pale sky-blue to intense sea-blue shades. According to lore, aquamarine was invisible when placed in the sea where mermaids amassed it in their treasure chests. The gem's legendary powers protect sailors, portend good fortune, and promise everlasting youth and fidelity. Likewise, March’s birthstone symbolises hope and good health.

Cubic Zirconia
This synthetic gemstone actually starts its life in a laboratory and shares many of the same qualities as diamond and will often require an expert to tell the two apart. CZ is seen as the more affordable alternative to diamond as the April gemstone.

Diamond
Fondly referred to as a girl’s best friend, diamond has an enduring popularity and is the most desired gemstone. April's traditional birthstone is thought to bring forth purity and inspire creativity in the wearer. For more information on Diamonds, check out our Learning Guide.

Emerald
Superb colours elevate emeralds to among the most precious gems, and their velvety green hues come from impurities (called inclusions) that cloud the clarity. These fissures in emeralds are also called "a jardin" for their plant-like appearance that deepens their vivid garden shades. Treasured from antiquity as the queen of gems, May’s birthstone symbolises spring and renewal and communicates harmony, beauty, and eternal love.

Garnet
Unlike other gemstones, garnets are natural beauties whose consistently deep colour needs no manipulating. As an extra added attraction, garnets change shades between daylight and artificial light. January’s birthstone is associated with imagination and inspiration, and is said to signify truth and faith.

Moissanite
Although this can be found naturally, it is extremely rare and in almost all cases the Moissanite you buy will have been made in a laboratory. It displays very similar properties to diamond although the gem’s sole producers, Charles and Colvard, prefer to market it as a jewel in its own right. Moissanite displays considerably more ‘brilliance’ than any popular gemstone and twice the ‘fire’ of diamond. While the standard round brilliant continues to be the most popular cut for Moissanite, fancy cuts such as cushion, square brilliant, and oval are also available in limited quantities.

Mother of Pearl
Also known as nacre, mother of pearl is a material produced naturally by mollusks as an inner layer of a shell. As it makes up the outer coating of pearls, it is very strong and iridescent in colour.

Opal
This is considered to be the most beautiful and desirable of all gems because it is highlighted with all the colours of the rainbow. As the birthstone of October, the Opal symbolises hope and purity.

Pearl
Produced naturally in the body of salt and freshwater mollusks, perfectly round pearls are very rare. A process known as cultivation was developed in the early 1900s--it takes approximately 20-24 months of intensive husbandry to cultivate a saltwater pearl and somewhat less time to cultivate freshwater pearls. June's birthstone symbolises beauty and chastity.

Peridot
Anointed "the evening emerald" because night heightens its vibrant green shade, August’s birthstone symbolises purity and wisdom and alludes to renewal and spring. Iron causes peridot’s yellow-to-olive green colours, and the transparent gem form of the mineral olivine has been found in meteorites and volcanoes.

Ruby
Called the "king of gemstones," ruby is among earth’s most precious and durable gemstones. This red variety of the mineral corundum is usually enhanced by heat to permanently intensify its deep reds. Symbolising love and immortality, July’s birthstone mythically epitomises power and abundant passion.

Sapphire
This clear variety of the mineral corundum is usually considered to be blue but it can be almost any colour. To avoid confusion non-blue sapphires are often referred to as Fancy Sapphires. This precious gemstone is September’s birthstone and symbolises truth, sincerity and faithfulness.

Topaz
Once thought of as the stone of the sun due to its yellow colour, Topaz is now known to come in a variety of colours. It is the yellow variety that is November's birthstone and it is associated with friendship and faithfulness. Nowadays Topaz is best known, and is most popular, as a blue stone.

Tourmaline
Tourmaline is a bright and beautiful gemstone that comes in an impressive range of colours ranging from red to green, a quality which has earned it the nickname the "rainbow gemstone." It is considered an alternative to opal as the birthstone for the month of October.

Turquoise
Sometimes called the "holy gemstone", turquoise is an opaque blue-green gem that has been a popular stone throughout history. It is December’s birthstone and symbolises happiness and good fortune.

Natural gem stones may vary in size, shape and colour.

What is the hamsa meaning?

The Hamsa Hand is an ancient Middle Eastern amulet symbolizing the Hand of God. In all faiths it is a protective sign. It brings its owner happiness, luck, health, and good fortune.

The hamsa hand has a wide variety of different spellings which includes hamesh, hamsa, chamsa, and khamsa. It is also identified as the Hand of Miriam, Aaron and Moses’s sister, and the Hand of Fatima. The hamsa hand has two main styles. One style is shaped like a regular hand, and the other has two symmetrical thumbs. The second of the two styles is the most popular. The wearer of the hamsa hand can wear it facing up or down and it is believed to give the owner success, harmony, and protection from the “Ayin Ha’ra,” also known as The Evil Eye.

The hamsa hand meaning has a variety of interpretations, depending on the culture. The word, “hamsa,” derives its name from the five fingers on the hand. In Hebrew, the number five is “hamesh” and the fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet is “Hey,” one of God’s holy names. “Hamesh” is representative of the five books of the Torah. In Judaism, it is also interpreted to be the Hand of Miriam, and symbolic of the owner’s five senses in an effort to praise God.

In Arabic, it is “khamesh.” In the Sunni culture, the hamsa is associated with the Five Pillars of Islam. For the Shi’tes, it symbolizes the Five People of the Cloak. In the Islamic faith, it symbolizes as The Hand of Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet Mohammed.

The hamsa hand sometimes includes an evil eye symbol, which is thought to protect against the evil eye. It is often worn as a pendant on a necklace but also is found on key chains, house decorations, baby carriages, and other jewellery items.

What is the evil eye meaning?

The Evil Eye is one of the strongest symbolic images in the world. The evil eye meaning dates back almost 3,000 years to ancient Greece and Rome. Wearing an evil eye as an amulet is believed to provide protection against evil forces. The evil eye meaning has symbolism in almost every country in the world and in every religion, such as Judaism, Islam, Hindu, Buddhism, and Christianity.

The evil eye is a look given to inflict harm, suffering, or some form of bad luck on the person that it is cast upon. Giving someone “the evil eye” is a look which clearly states that one intends for something bad to happen to the other person, either out of jealousy or pure malice. It is believed by many cultures that the look is powerful enough to bring about actual disaster for the unfortunate person that is the receiver of the glare.

In many cultures, excessive praise or receiving admiration beyond what is truly deserved can bring upon the scorn of the evil eye, which was believed to cause physical and mental illness. Ashkenazi Jews believe that excessive praise causes a vulnerability to the evil eye, and will repeat a Yiddish phrase, “Keyn aynhoreh!” meaning “no evil eye” in order to protect against it.

The evil eye is a popular trend in jewellery today and can be seen on many celebrities as a stylish jewellery statement.

What is the Tree of Life meaning?

The Tree of Life is a many-branched tree that represents the interconnectedness of all life on our planet. It is a motif that is present in various religions, mythologies, and philosophies. The Tree of Life illustrates that idea that all life on earth is related and we all have the same beginnings. With beauty and diversity, we are all leaves on the same Tree of Life.

What is the cross definition?

The cross is a symbol that is central to Christianity. Wearing a cross or hanging a cross in the home is believed to protect you from the winds of misfortune. Jesus Christ was crucified upon the cross and it is believed that Jesus’ own life was taken to make up for all of the past, present and future sins of followers and non-believers. Jesus bore his followers sins upon the cross and died in their place so they could be reconciled to God and receive eternal life. The cross also symbolizes Jesus’ salvation to the world where his life was taken and then he rose days later to show that He was the Son of God.

There are also many other meanings of the cross especially found in Western Culture. It is believed that all four physical elements (fire, water, air, earth) make up the cross. Lastly, it is believed to symbolize directional symbols as well (north, south, west, and east).

What is the Star of David meaning?

The Star of David has been associated with the Jewish people for centuries. A stone arch bearing the Star of David in a synagogue in the Galilee dates back to the 3rd century. The symbol was first seen in writing in a 12th century work. A Siddur dated 1512 from Prague has the phrase, “..He will merit to bestow a bountiful gift on anyone who graphs the Shield of David.” The Star of David can be found on the tombstones of religious Jews in Europe since the 18th century. It was chosen as the emblem for the Zionist movement in 1897 and is the symbol on the flag for the State of Israel.

The Star of David, which is called the Magen David in Hebrew, means “Shield of David.” This six sided figure symbolizes that God rules over the universe and protects us from all six directions: North, South, East, West, Up and Down, with the middle of the hexagram providing the spiritual dimension. There are many beliefs regarding the origin of the Star of David. One is that King David won a battle against his enemy, King Nimrod, and his shield had the two interlocking triangles on it, which then became known as the “Shield of David.” Another belief is that God is compared to a shield who gave his divine protection to King David. The Star of David meaning has a deep connection for the Jewish people, representing not only their religion but a symbol of the homeland of the Jews.

What is the meaning of Chai?

A Chai is a Jewish symbol which means, “Life.” A popular toast is, “L’Chaim!”which means, “To Life!” Chai symbolizes the importance of the life we have been given, to appreciate life, and the wish for a good life. Chai is made up of two Hebrew letters – chet and yud. Judaism places significance in numerology; the chet is the 8th letter in the Hebrew alphabet and the yud is the 10th letter. Combined, they total 18, which is a number that represents good luck. It is for this reason that a monetary gift for a Jewish wedding, a Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah, Hanukkah, or any celebration, is often given in multiples of 18. The Chai meaning has great importance to the Jews and is often seen on a necklace, cufflinks, or other piece of jewellery.

What is the dreamcatcher meaning?

A dreamcatcher is thought to catch bad or negative dreams and is seen as a symbol of unity among Native Americans. The dreamcatcher meaning derives from an ancient story of a special spider mother whose children moved to all corners of the land. Their mother and grandmothers sewed magical webs for her children using cordage made from plants, sinew and willow hoops. The dream catchers were meant to keep out any bad dreams and promote only good dreams for the children.

The Ojibwe people first made the dream catcher and through intermarriages with other tribes, the concept grew and grew. It wasn’t until the 1960’s and 1970’s that dreamcatchers grew in popularity and spread to other cultures to share and enjoy their beauty. The dreamcatcher meaning has such beauty that you can often see a dreamcatcher hanging from a porch, or hanging in a car from a rear view mirror, or as dreamcatcher earrings or other jewellery.

What is the infinity symbol meaning?

The infinity symbol looks like a sideways 8. In mathematics, the infinity symbol represents the concept of a number that goes on and on indefinitely, like pi (3.14159265359…). When used to describe feelings, or space, or any other concept, it means limitless and boundless.

The infinity symbol has become popular recently as a jewellery trend. Being given a piece of jewellery with the infinity symbol means forever and always, never ending possibilities, eternity.

What is the heart symbol origin?

The heart symbol is a universal symbol for love, caring, and affection and dates back to the mid-13th century where it was found in a manuscript. By the end of the Middle Ages, the shape of the heart became more frequently used as a symbol for love. The heart symbol with an arrow through it means a captured heart. A heart that is broken into two pieces symbolizes a broken heart. In 1977, the heart was introduced as a symbol for a slogan in New York, “I Love NY.” Its popularity quickly grew after the heart was used in this manner and soon it became a universal symbol.

What is the peace sign meaning?

The peace sign symbolizes universal peace. The peace sign was created by British artist Gerald Holtom in 1958. It was originally designed as a symbol for the Direct Action Committee Against Nuclear War. The three lines in the circle represent two letters – N and D, which stands for Nuclear Disarmament.

There is a system in place that assigns letters of the alphabet to the position of flags. This method of communication was used between ships that were a great distance apart.

The two lines on the bottom of the peace symbol which are at a 45 degree angle represent two flags held at this angle, which represents the letter “N.” The straight line in the middle that goes up and down represents the letter, “D.”

Although the peace symbol was originally designed for the Direct Action Committee Against Nuclear War in England, the popularity of the symbol quickly spread and became a symbol of the peace movement in the United States in 1960. It was very popular during the Vietnam War and now the peace symbol meaning is an internationally known symbol for peace among all people.

What is the ganesh meaning?

Ganesh is a Hindu God that emerged as a widely worshipped deity in the 4th and 5th centuries CE. It is depicted with the head of an elephant. The ganesh meaning is believed to remove arrogance, obstacles, narcissism, and selfishness. Ganesh is revered as benevolent supernatural being of great intellect and appreciation of the arts and sciences.

He represents everything that derives from the material universe. It is not uncommon to find a statue or symbol of Ganesh in a Hindu’s presence. He has, over time, become one of the most worshipped and praised gods of all of the Hindu gods.

What is om meaning?

The Om represents God, Creation, and the Oneness of all creation. It is most commonly used in Buddhist and Hindu religions. Om is more specifically called Pranava, which means, “it infiltrates life and runs through our breath.”

The first breath of creation signifies that Om is the primordial sound. Om is often seen as the utmost of all mantras or vibrations. Today Om is often practiced as a part of yoga.

What is ankh meaning?

The Ankh meaning has many different interpretations in different religions and cultures. The Egyptian’s believe that the ankh represents the Nile. There are also many Egyptian gods that are represented in hieroglyphs that are found holding the ankh. The gods are portrayed holding the ankh by its loops.

Another belief of the ankh is that it represents life, especially eternal life. Some also refer to it as the crux ansata, which means the key of life. It is also believed to be a symbol of power to sustain the person holding it. They are supposed to then have a long life from holding or wearing the ankh.

What is Buddha meaning?

Buddha is a Sanskrit word that means, “The Awakened One.” It represents the life Siddhartha, an Indian prince born in 563 BC who gave up the throne and renounced his royal upbringing with its lavish lifestyle to devote his life to searching for the Truth. He set out to find the true meaning of happiness for people all around the world.

He first met with the most esteemed religious teachers of the day and sought guidance from them. He studied with them for over six years and he believed that all of the ignorance had been lifted from him. He embarked on his lifelong journey to teach others how to achieve true peace and joy, how to gain true wisdom, and how to see reality. His teaching is known as the Dharma. Buddha’s followers devote their lives to the practice of Enlightenment to gain the wisdom that transcends suffering and to teach others the same.

Siddhartha was named the “Awakened One” or “Buddha”.

What is the lotus flower meaning?

The lotus flower meaning varies among several different cultures and religions. The lotus flower retracts at night and then emerges beautifully the next morning. The Egyptians associated the lotus flower with the sun, which also disappeared in the night time.

In Buddhism, the lotus flower meaning is known for exactness, spiritual awakening, and purity, because the lotus flower emerges from dark and muddy waters and then transforms into a beautiful flower. In Buddhism, the lotus flower is seen as something that is very clean.

In Hinduism, the lotus flower meaning is associated with fruitfulness, spirituality, attractiveness, affluence, eternity, and purity. It is also symbolic that this gorgeous flower emerges from the muddy waters.