Hello there, friends!
I’m Paul, the creator of Stuff By Rox, which sprang into life in 2023.
An unexpected twist of fate led me to the world of jewellery making, and I immediately fell in love with using age-old techniques and natural materials. I was drawn to ancient symbols such as spirals and flowing curves. I hope you can see these inspirations, woven through every piece I make. These inspirations help me craft one-of-a-kind, handcrafted pieces at affordable pieces. Explore my shop where you can unearth unique treasures. Join me on my journey by reading my blog where I share ongoing projects, news, and background on materials and working techniques. And, if you’re not ready to buy, but you enjoy the site and want to support my jewellery journey, please check out my Ko-fi page by clicking the button below.
Thanks for reading!
Our Store
“Timeless Tulip” Hand Planished Paleo Nouveau Fine Silver Plated Necklace With Stunning Large Teardrop Amethyst Pendant 010
Customer Services
Ask Me Anything!
I handcraft every piece on this site myself, so who better to ask for advice?
From sourcing the raw materials to sending out the finished product, I personally complete each step of the way.
So if you need to know anything about Stuff By Rox, just get in touch and ask anything.
Remember, there’s no such thing as a stupid question – only the questions that are never asked…
Friendly Customer Service
I hate poor customer service. Shopping should be a joyful experience, where you are excited to recieve your precious new treasures!
I can’t always guarantee everything will go 100% smoothly, but I guarantee I’ll try my very best to put any issues right!
I handle all the Customer Service myself, as well as making the pieces, so I can’t hover over the computer 24/7.
Customer Service shouldn’t be a battle, and you shouldn’t feel like you need to fight for your statutory rights!
Let’s enjoy this shopping experience together!
Returns & Refunds
Sometimes, something isn’t quite right or we’re not happy with something we’ve bought online. We’ve all done it!
I want to make your shopping experience with ‘by Rox’ as painless as it can possibly be. Simply let me know within 14 days that you would like to return the item, and I’ll work with you to get it sorted.
Refunds can only be processed once an item is back with me, and as long as the item is in the same condition I sent it to you, there’s no problem.
No fuss, no worries!
Frequently Asked Questions
Every main piece of jewellery is made by me, from beginning to end.
From the raw copper materials to electroplating with precious metals to the final finishing and polishing, I carry out every single step myself.
The exceptions are that I don't make the chains, jump rings or some of the decorative embellishments for the pendants.
Obviously, I don't make the gemstones either!
Yes!
I electroplate with fine silver, which is 99.9% pure.
It is often Sterling Silver which sometimes contains zinc - but not always!
Sterling silver is 92.5% silver (which is why European silver without hallmarks are marked 925 - 925 parts silver for every 1000 parts of material).
The other 7.5% is made up of another metal (often copper) or a mix of metals. It’s often in this mix of metals where zinc is found.
This is why you may have some sterling silver in your collection that doesn't react with you, and then you buy another piece and it does react. It all depends on the make up of that extra 7.5%.
The reason sterling silver is used so much is because without a slightly harder material mixed in, pure silver is very very soft.
Making jewellery that's strong enough to wear every day requires that alloy of materials, and as long as the 7.5% doesn't contain zinc, it won't react.
No... These pieces are plated with fine silver. That’s silver with 99.9% purity, which covers the copper base.
That means you get the benefits of copper and silver, without the green oxidisation that comes with bare copper.
After the copper is plated with fine silver, it is then buffed and polished with jewellers polish which gives a long-lasting resistance to tarnishing.
However, the green from the copper is completely natural. When uncoated copper oxidises, it tarnishes and goes green - very much like copper coins or copper adornments on Churches. The key with any bare copper is to keep it clean (a jewellers polishing cloth is ideal) and you can use a polish product which creates a barrier between the copper and your skin.
That was, you'll be able to use your old copper jewellery again!
If you ever have your skin go green in future from other copper jewellery, just remember that some of the wisest, cutest, bravest and funniest people have green skin: Yoda, Grogu, Gamora and Kermit The Frog just to name a few...
Good question... with a complicated answer.
When I started experimenting with jewellery making, I was working in aluminium. Then, after I'd gotten quite proficient, I moved on to copper.
I really enjoyed working with copper and used a 'polish on' silver plating solution I found online - which promised a 'molecular' bond. It was much cheaper than learning how to electroplate and buy all the kit, so I gave it a go.
I was very impressed. The finish looked exquisite - for about 48 hours... then it started to rub off with the lightest of wear!
I suppose if something sounds too good to be true... so lesson learned.
Of course, I'd already made some beautiful designs, including a spiral inspired pendant for myself which I loved wearing. When the silvering started to come off, I was really disappointed, and was devastated I couldn't wear it.
I then worked with Sterling Silver for a couple of commissions; and that worked very well, so I got a little more Sterling Silver and recreated the spiral pendant for myself and...
It did nothing for me.
I mean, it was 925 silver. It was, by the measure of everything you're told, better than silver plated copper...!
However, that's only if you subscribe to the idea that value is all in the material, and not the work itself. Clearly there was something about this combination of silver plate and copper that worked.
That left one rather more expensive and complex route; to buy an electroplating kit...
Electroplating involves careful preparation, cleaning, application and finishing - there's much more to it than working with sterling silver.
Plating involves using a carefully regulated electric current and silver solution to create a bond between the copper and silver ions. I cover every piece by hand with a solution of fine silver (99%), applying it with an electroplating wand, which gives me ultimate control over the finish I want to achieve.
So of course, my first experiment was the pendant. and it worked brilliantly. Having the original back around my neck was like welcoming an old friend home.
It's difficult to describe but if I'm not wearing the copper / silver plated pendant, I feel naked. It has really become a part of me.
There are all sorts of spiritual, symbolic and health benefits to both copper and silver; perhaps that's what I'm responding to..?
I really don't know. Either way, there's somthing about the feel, the weight and the aura of the silver plated copper that feels right to work with and wear.
The other advantage is that i can keep these pieces very affordable.
Everyone deserves quality and luxury.