The gemstones I select are responsibly soured from around the world. The suppliers I work with have a commitment to transparency and responsible sourcing in the gemstone supply chain. They do this through: supporting artisanal miners and their communities, providing verifiable origins and full traceability, commitment to responsible environmental policies, and more. Please see individual product listings or contact me for additional information on the various gems in my collection.

I choose to work in solid 18K yellow gold due to its higher purity (75% pure gold) and beautiful glowing luster. Solid gold is the superior option if you prefer a gold tone. It is an investment with high durability that lasts forever, and has great intrinsic value. Due to its higher purity, 18K gold wears extremely well and will likely not cause skin irritations due to metal allergies. Tarnish is not an issue.

Care: Clean jewelry with a mild dish soap, water, and very soft toothbrush. To maintain the satin finish, avoid polishing cloths. To keep your jewelry in tip top shape, remove when: performing high impact activities, gardening, working with chemicals (i.e., household cleaners), sleeping, swimming, & applying hairspray, serums, & lotions. Over time, exposure to pool chlorine will weaken gold and cause it to become brittle. Keep pieces stored in a soft dry place, free from scratching against other jewelry. For care information on pearls, opals, and all other gems scroll below.

Whether your jewelry features precious stones like diamonds, sapphires, rubies, & emeralds, or semi-precious stones such as amethyst, garnet, opal, turquoise, & pearls proper care is crucial. Here's how to best care for your gemstone jewelry:

1. Regular Cleaning: Clean regularly with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove dust, dirt, and oils. For a deeper clean, use a mild, non-abrasive mild soapy water solution. Gently scrub with a soft brush and rinse thoroughly. Pat dry with a clean cloth.
2. Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Keep away from harsh chemicals, such as household cleaners, bleach, and chlorine. These can damage the stones and affect their brilliance.
3. Minimize Exposure to Sunlight: Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can cause some gemstones to fade or lose their color. Store your jewelry in a cool, dark place when not in use.
4. Proper Storage: Store separately from other pieces to prevent scratching. Use individual compartments or soft pouches to avoid contact with harder materials.
5. Gentle Handling: Avoid wearing your jewelry during activities that may subject it to rough treatment.
6. Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Some gemstones are sensitive to extreme temperature changes. Avoid exposing your jewelry to extreme heat or cold.

Pearls are delicate gemstones formed organically, making them susceptible to damage from chemicals, moisture, and even daily wear. Here's a guide on how to best care for your precious pearl jewelry:

1. Avoid Contact with Chemicals: Pearls are sensitive to chemicals found in cosmetics, perfumes, hairsprays, and even household cleaning agents. Always apply these products before putting on your pearl jewelry to prevent chemical damage. When glamming up to head out, make sure your pearl jewelry is the last thing you put on after all makeup and hair is finished.
2. Minimize Impact: Pearls are susceptible to scratching upon impact. Handle your pearls with care and avoid activities where they might be knocked or bumped.
3. Wipe with a Soft Cloth: After wearing, gently wipe your pearls with a soft, damp cloth to remove any oils, sweat, or dirt. Allow them to air dry completely before storing.
4. Store Separately: Pearls are prone to scratching, so store them separately from other jewelry, preferably in a soft pouch or a jewelry box with individual compartments.
5. Avoid Excessive Sunlight: Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can cause pearls to fade and lose their luster. Store them in a cool, dark place when not in use.

Opals come in various types including doublets, boulder, fire crystal, & hyalite. An opal is a gemstone known for its unique play-of-color, which is the shifting display of colors that can be observed when the gemstone is viewed from different angles. Opals can exhibit a wide range of colors, including blues, greens, reds, and yellows. The play-of-color is caused by the diffraction of light as it passes through the microscopic silica spheres within the opal. It should noted that hyalite opals are instead characterized by their clear, colorless, or translucent appearance.

1. Gentle Cleaning: Clean regularly with a soft, damp cloth to remove dirt and oils. Avoid using abrasive materials or harsh chemicals.
2. Avoid Immersion in Water: While opals can tolerate brief exposure to water during cleaning, it's best to avoid prolonged immersion. This is because opals may absorb water over time, which can affect their appearance.
3. Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Opals contain water, and exposure to extreme temperatures can cause them to crack. Avoid exposing opals to sudden temperature changes, and don't use ultrasonic or steam cleaners, as they may cause thermal shock.
4. Minimize Impact: Opals are relatively soft compared to other gemstones, so they can be easily scratched. It's advisable to store opal jewelry separately from harder gemstones to prevent scratches. When not in use, consider placing opal jewelry in a padded box or pouch.

I'm no longer producing vermeil jewelry, but am providing the details for any clients who have purchased it in the past. Vermeil, pronounced 'Ver-May', is a thick layer of gold over silver. I offered vermeil jewelry because it is the best quality gold plated finish at a more affordable price then solid gold for my larger designs. Gold plated and gold filled pieces are typically gold coated base metals (brass, steel, etc). Vermeil is intrinsically more valuable because the entire piece is made from precious metals. The industry standard for vermeil is 2.5 microns of gold over silver. At 3 microns thick, my jewelry is higher than the industry standard. All vermeil jewelry is NICKEL FREE. *For certain pieces, a reapplication of the gold vermeil finish can be done for a fee if the gold finish has worn over an extended period of time.

Tarnish: Because vermeil is gold over silver, and silver tarnishes, it can develop a tarnished appearance over time. In the case that a mild tarnish develops, use Goddard's Silver Dip (see care instructions below for how to use). The dip will safely restore the piece back to a brighter finish without harming the gold. NEVER use a polishing cloth or any type of abrasive tarnish removing product on vermeil, this will harm the gold finish. For pieces with pearls or porous stones, gently swab piece with cleaner using a q-tip to avoid the stone/pearl. Always dry pieces extremely well after cleaning. Moisture welcomes tarnish. 

Care: Before placing in silver dip, I recommend cleaning the piece first with lukewarm water, mild dish soap, and a very soft tooth brush. This will remove any grime that has built up on the piece from normal wear. After rinsing well to remove all soap, place the piece in the Goddard's Silver Dip for a few seconds to remove any tarnish. After removing from the dip, rinse the piece thoroughly. I recommend one last brushing with mild dish soap and water to remove all remnants of the silver dip. Rinse and dry extremely well. To dry, use soft cloth (100% cotton or microfiber). While wearing, avoid harsh household cleaners and always remove vermeil jewelry prior to swimming, or bathing. Never use a gold polishing cloth on vermeil as it will remove the gold finish. Store jewelry in a soft, dry location free from scratching against other jewelry pieces.