Choosing Hypoallergenic Earrings
***Medical Disclaimer*** The information provided in this blog post is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. If you have
March 3, 2024
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Inside
The Studio
About Us ~ FAQ ~ Blog
Welcome to Stones & Fire
I’m Marty Vickery, and I consider myself an Artisan of Elegance. I find beauty in the intricate details of life and channel that passion into every creation I make. With nimble hands and a creative spirit, I weave together a tapestry of artistry that encompasses jewelry, leathercraft, mineral collecting, and the enchanting world of artisan incense.
I was born with a keen eye for aesthetics and a natural affinity for craftsmanship. From the delicate dance of metals in jewelry-making to the supple embrace of leather in handcrafted goods, each piece I create tells a story of dedication and devotion to my craft.
Driven by an insatiable curiosity and an unyielding love for the natural world, I delve into the realm of fine minerals, collecting specimens that reflect the Earth’s majesty in all its forms. Whether it’s the glittering allure of quartz or the rugged beauty of raw amethyst, I find joy in preserving and showcasing these treasures of the Earth.
But my creative journey doesn’t end there. With a deep appreciation for the power of scent and ceremony, I also craft artisanal incense, blending fragrances that evoke emotions, memories, and dreams. Each incense stick is a testament to my dedication to sensory exploration and spiritual connection.
With a commitment to quality, authenticity, and sustainable practices, my creations transcend mere objects, becoming cherished symbols of individuality and expression. From adorning oneself with exquisite jewelry to adorning spaces with the soothing aroma of handmade incense, I invite others to join me on a journey of discovery, beauty, and meaning.
In every piece I craft, there lies a piece of my soul—a testament to the timeless allure of handmade artistry and the boundless creativity that resides within me.
I want your shopping experience with Stones & Fire to be the best. We offer Fast Shipping ~ Top Quality Products ~ Individualized Customer Service. If you have any questions about our services or products please feel free to Contact Us
~ Marty
Owner/Jeweler/Stone Setter
The Studio
The Stones & Fire Jewelry Studio is where all of our handcrafted items are made. In our studio we:
- Hand Forge and Fabricate our Gold and Silver items
- Cut and Cab Stones
- Stone Setting Micro and Large
- Evaluation and Authentication of Gemstones
- Custom Design Work
- Resizing and Repair
- Buffing, Polishing, Ultrasonic, and Steam Cleaning to finalize the piece of jewelry
Studio Tour
Learn About My Process
Design
The design room is where I choose the individual stones and metals for a particular Stones & Fire piece of Jewelry. I have a wide selection of ethically sourced gems and precious metals that I use to handcraft our pieces
Handcrafting
The heart of the studio is the bench and soldering station. This is where Marty takes the designs and handcrafts them into a beautiful piece of Stones & Fire Jewlery
Stone Setting
Stone Setting is one of my passions as a Jeweler. All of our stone setting is performed by me in my stone setting studio at Stones & Fire. Setting I specialize in are Micro Pave, Fishtail, French, and of course cab settings. Marty also uses specialized drilling tools for pearls, opal, and fossil material. Whatever the stone setting need we have the equipment and expertise to properly seat any stone. For questions about our stone setting services please contact us.
Polishing & Finishing
The final step in the process is the polishing and finishing. We tumble each piece of Jewelry prior to setting the stones. This ensures all surfaces are smooth and the metal is work hardened. Which means that each piece is strengthened for durability. After the piece has been in the tumbler for several hours it is buffed and polished using our buffing machine and a special blend of compounds. Finally, the piece is cleaned in our commercial ultrasonic machine and steamed or hand brushed depending on the particular stone.
FAQs
A selection of our most commonly asked questions:
Does Sterling Silver Turn Black? Why?
The short answer to this is yes, Sterling Silver does tarnish. The reason this occurs is because pure silver (.999) is a very soft metal and is not suitable for everyday wear. Therefore, sterling silver (.925) is hardened by adding additional metals, specifically Copper. It is the Copper that causes the tarnish. The good news is tarnish is easily removed with a Silver Polishing cloth.
It is possible to electroplate Sterling with rhodium or other e coatings. This will prevent tarnish for a period of time. However, no plating is permanent. Eventually the plating will wear off and tarnishing will return. Electroplating Sterling is not a very cost effective way to prevent tarnish.
What is Stabilized Turquoise
In general North American Turquoise is very soft. Stabilization is the process of adding an epoxy to the turquoise and then using a vacuum chamber to cure and remove any bubbles. Stabilization does NOT mean the turquoise is fake or of low quality. It is simply done to allow for the everyday wearing of the stone. In some instances a lapidarist will add dye to the epoxy. We do not use turquoise that has been dyed.
Can I put my Turquoise ring in an ultrasonic cleaner?
Absolutely Not! An ultrasonic can weaken the stone and basically shatter it or make it crumble into pieces. An Ultrasonic cleaner is just too harsh for Turquoise and many other gemstones.
To clean your turquoise ring just use some warm water, a toothbrush, and some dish detergent. This is the safest way to clean your Stones & Fire turquoise ring,
Can My Ring Be Resized?
The short answer is maybe. In the product descriptions of our rings we list if it can be resized. Sometimes due to the way a ring is constructed resizing is not advisable. If you have questions about resizing please Contact Us and we will be glad to answer any questions.
In general I only like to resize a ring 1/2 size up or down. More drastic resizing can be performed on certain rings, but it is often discouraged.
Is The Turquoise In Stones & Fire Rings Genuine?
Absolutely! The Turquoise I use in Stones & Fire rings are all genuine. I do not use howlite, magnesite, dyed or solid resin fakes in any of my rings.
Most of the Turquoise I use is stabilized to increase the strength of the Turquoise. Sometimes I do use non stabilized turquoise if the stone is strong enough and contains no significant inclusions. I always list this in the product description
Do You Repair Jewelry?
At the moment we only offer repair services for our Handcrafted Jewelry. It is possible in the future general repair services might be offered. Sign Up for our newsletter get news when that happens.
Have A Question?
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Mineral Specimen Videos
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