FAQ

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.