Bling!

Gold Filled

When I use gold beads and findings, I use gold filled. It has the look of 14karat gold without all the expense. Gold filled is comparitive in price to sterling silver. It should last the wearers lifetime, so you can wear gold without going broke. Of course, I can always make any custom orders with 14karat gold. Here is an explanation of gold filled and the differences between it and regular plating.

"What is gold-filled made of?
Gold-filled items are made by combining a layer or layers of gold alloy to a base metal (usually brass), then rolling or drawing the metal to the desired thickness and shape. Gold-filled has a long life and can be worn by most people without reactions or difficulties. Gold-filled stock should be stored in a dry place. Gold-filled is also made by heating and pressure-bonding a thin layer of gold to a brass core. The 1/20 notation refers to the ratio of the 14 karat gold layer to the brass layer by weight, which is 5%. All gold-filled items we offer meet federal standards for quality and content.


How are gold-fill and gold-plate made?
There is a difference between gold-plate and gold-filled. Gold-fill is 50 to 100 times thicker than regular gold-plating, and about 17 to 25 times thicker than heavy gold electroplate. The base metal used is usually brass, copper, or steel. Gold-filled items are made by combining a layer or layers of gold alloy to a base metal (usually brass) then rolling or drawing the metal to the desired thickness and shape. Gold-plate is a very thin deposit of gold, electroplated or electrochemically applied to the piece. (The industry standard is .15 to .25 mils thickness of gold-plated to the surface of the base metal.) It is a very small fraction of an inch thick (1/1000 inch to 1/1,000,000 or so of an inch thick). Heavy gold electroplate might be .002 or .003 inches thick. Gilt is another term used, which means there is a very thin finish of gold color over the base metal (may or may not actually be gold)."

Black Onyx

Some information on Onyx. The necklace above is paired with sterling silver beads and findings. Most of my jewelry is made with semiprecious gemstones and sterling silver. Some is made with gold filled beads and findings, but that is a whole other post explaining the qualities of gold-filled. My motto is always affordable quality and as close to perfection as I can get. You wouldn't believe how many pieces I have taken apart because one stone is wrong.

"History/Background
The name "onyx" comes from the Greek for "fingernail," referring to the translucence of the white-colored layer of the multi-layered stone. According to myth, Cupid trimmed the nails of the sleeping Venus. The Fates turned those clippings into stone to prevent even a part of Venus from dying. The Romans were expert at glyptography (the carving of layered stones to reveal different colors) and crafted beautiful seals from onyx (white layer over black base) and sardonyx (white layer over reddish-brown base). The patterns were cut in negative relief. Engravings with a negative picture are called intaglios and those with raised image are cameos. In the Middle East, onyx was associated with sorcerers.

Metaphysical/Healing Properties
Black has been associated with regeneration and new beginnings. Black onyx is thought by some to have protective qualities, making it advantageous to carry when one is traveling. It is said to be useful in fighting basic fears and in helping to create the opportunity to move beyond bad relationships--and to heal old emotional wounds. The Romans associated it with courage and it is thought to be useful when one is defending him/herself against unfair criticism.

Scientific Description
Onyx is a form of chalcedony, which is a microcrystalline quartz. It is formed in the gas cavities of lava. Its multi-layering is similar to that of agates. When the stone has a black base and a white upper layer, it's called onyx. (Black onyx is uniformly black chalcedony.) When the base is brown, it is called Sard-onyx. And carnelian-onyx has a red base.Much of what is referred to as "black onyx" is gray chalcedony that has been chemically treated to turn it into a rich black. The gray stone can be saturated with a solution of cobalt chlorate and chlorammonium, or it can be immersed for a prolonged period in a sugar solution and then heated in sulphuric acid to carbonize the sugar.
Mineral Information
Microcrystalline quartz, chalcedony group
Chemical Composition
SiO2
Color
Black, usually dyed these days
Hardness
6.5-7
Specific Gravity
2.58-2.64
Refractive Index
1.530-1.539"

Turquoise

Here is a little history on Turquoise. You will hear alot about Chalk turquoise, imitation and stabilized. To keep my jewelry affordable I use a lot of beautiful chalk turquoise which is real turquoise, but dyed to get the color, and any turquoise I use will be stabilized so it does not fall apart while you are wearing it! I DO NOT use imitation.

This is some information from a jewelry website I visit:

"What is Chalk Turquoise? Chalk turquoise is a form of natural turquoise that has a white chalk-like consistency. It has the same chemical composition as turquoise, only without the copper (it's the copper that causes the turquoise color). The chalk is then dyed and stabilized to produce a material that's hard enough to use in jewelry with a pleasing turquoise color.

History/Background
Turquoise has long been associated with gods and goddesses in cultures spanning the globe--in ancient Egypt, Persia, China and the Americas. To the Egyptians, the stone was seen as a symbol of rebirth. The Sun God Ra's hair was said to be made from the stone. The Aztecs offered a death skull inlaid with turquoise to their serpent god of the sun, Quetztalcoatl. Many North American Indian tribes viewed the stone as a male stone of power and the Apaches believed that it could be found in the damp ground at the end of the rainbow.

Metaphysical/Healing Properties
Turquoise is said to attract prosperity and success, to have the power to influence creative powers, and to enhance the ability to communicate. The stone has long been prized as a powerful talisman with healing properties. It is said that turquoise can help balance the throat chakra (the blue chakra), increasing resistance to viruses and helping to relieve sore throats, lung infections and the affects of allergies.

Scientific Description
Turquoise has a waxy luster and is a phosphate of aluminum with copper and traces of iron. Depending on its origin, the stone can be sky blue to green depending on the amount of copper (which makes it blue) and iron (which makes it green).
Mineral Information
Copper containing basic aluminum phosphate
Chemical Composition
CuAl6(I(OH)2/PO4)4.4H2O
Color
Sky blue, blue-green, green
Hardness
5-6
Specific Gravity
2.60-2.80
Refractive Index
1.61-1.65

Occurrence
It is said that the finest sky blue turquoise comes from Iran, where it has been used for decoration for 6,000 years and mined for over 3,000 years. It is also found in Turkestan, the former USSR, Tibet, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Mexico and in the southwestern United States.

Mother's, Grandmother's, and Baby Bracelets

Surprise that special mother or grandmother with a custom designed bracelet representing all the children and/or grandchildren they have touched in such a special way. Each bracelet is made with high quality sterling silver or gold-filled beads and swarvoski crystal. It is your choice how much sparkle you want to add with Swarvoski crystal. Call today to order: 850-508-8900

1 Strand - $35

2 Strand - $60

3 Strand - $90

Meet your Designer

Welcome to SharaLee Designs. I look forward to creating that perfect piece of Jewelry for you or someone you love. Contact me today and let me know your wishes for that special piece.