Argentium Sterling Silver is a patented and trademarked alloy that was invented in 1996 by Professor Peter Johns of Middlesex University, UK.

As with sterling silver it contains a minimum of 92.5% silver.

The difference is that the balance of 7.5% is not copper, but rather a mixture of copper and germanium.

This small amount of germanium practically eliminates one of the perceived drawbacks of sterling silver ie. the tarnishing.

Argentium Sterling Silver is highly tarnish resistant.

It requires nothing more than light dusting, and an occasional wipe with a soft cloth to keep its shine.

Sterling Silver must be a minimum of 92.5% pure silver. This is why in some countries it is referred to as .925 silver.

The balance can be something else - traditionally it is copper.

Copper does a good job of strengthening the silver, which is the purpose of an alloy, but the main drawback is the speed at which sterling silver tarnishes.

14kt Gold Filled wire (Rolled Gold) is often mistaken for gold plated, however, there are major differences between the two.

Gold Plated is formed by placing copper (or any other conductive material) in a solution containing a chemical salt which includes gold. A current is applied, the gold is deposited onto the copper (or other) material. Normally the coating is 24kt gold but it is only a few molecules thick.This coating being extremely thin  is sufficient to coat the metal underneath but is vulnerable to scratching and abrasion which will expose whatever base metal is underneath. For these reasons, Gold Plate would only be suitable for items of jewelry with no exposure to wear and tear eg earrings.

14kt Gold Filled (sometimes referred to as Rolled Gold) 24kt gold is pure gold. Most jewellery is not made with 24kt gold. The most frequently utilized gold alloys are 10, 12, 14, and 18 kt. These are used because they are hard wearing and considerably cheaper than pure gold. 14kt Gold Filled wire is in practice a tube of 14kt Gold, filled with jewellers brass, although the actual mechanical process is more complicated and involves the gold  being applied to the outside of the base metal utilising heat and pressure. The end result is a very hard wearing material which has a 14kt Gold layer. The layer is a minimum of 5% (14/20) of the total thickness of the wire. (about 100 times thicker than gold plating)  It is generally accepted that an item made with 14kt Gold Filled wire would be considered a life time piece of jewelry.

Bracelet Sizing 

How to measure for bracelet size:

Using a flexible tape measure, wrap around your wrist (just below the wrist bone) where your bracelet would fit snugly.

Take the measurement and add 1.0 - 1.25inches

This is approximate sizing and not a guarantee of perfect sizing.

Average bracelet sizes appear to be 7.25 -7.5 inches

The following can be used as a guide to sizing:-

7.0       - petite
7.25     - small
7.5       - medium
7.75     - large
8.0       - X large

Ring Sizing.

Tips for finding your ring size:

a)  Make sure your hands and fingers are warm and at room temperature.

b)  If your knuckle is a lot larger than the base of your finger, measure both the base of  your finger and your knuckle and select a size in between the two.

 
How to measure your finger:

1.  Use a piece of non-stretchy string or a strip of paper.

2.  Wrap it around the base of your finger making sure it fits snugly and that it can slip over your knuckle.

3.  Using a pen, mark the point on the string or paper where it overlaps, forming a complete circle.

4.  Compare the length of the string or paper to the list below to determine  your ring size.

Ring Size

USA      - Measured Size (mm)
 
4        - 46.5
4.5     - 47.8
5        - 49
5.5     - 50.3
6        - 51.5
6.5     - 52.8
7        - 54
7.5     - 55.3
8        - 56.6
8.5     - 57.8
9        - 59.1
9.5     - 60.3
10      - 61.6
10.5   - 62.8
11      - 64.1
11.5   - 65.3
12      - 66.6
12.5   - 67.9
13      - 69.1

NOTE: Special Things Jewellery is not responsible for incorrect sizing.

If you are unsure of your ring size or have trouble using this ring size finder, visit a local jewelry store to get measured.

We do not guarantee that this ring size finder is 100% accurate.

Originally used to construct armour from the Roman era until about the 16th Century when plate armour became more developed.

In modern day its protective abilities are still used for example in butchers gloves and shark suits.

However, today its use is mainly decorative.

Wire has been used by many ancient civilizations, however it was not wire as we know it today.

The Egyptians produced theirs by cutting a thin length of metal and either strip forming or block forming the wire.

In the first instance, the metal was coiled into a hollow tube then compressed into a solid rod by rolling between two flat surfaces. This often left hollow sections and there was a single spiral seam if inspected closely.

The second method involved initial twisting the tube before being formed into a solid rod. This type of wire is typified by a double spiral seam.

Neither seam is normally visible to the naked eye.

The Romans sometimes filled their rods with other materials to impart extra strength.

Twisted wire jewelry and the use of wire in ajoure filigree work has been found as far apart as various tombs in the Valley of the Kings and in Viking burial mounds.

Jewellery Care

To keep your handmade gemstone jewelry looking good falls mainly into two categories.

1) Keeping it clean / looking good

2) Protection from damage.
 
The cleaning of an item will depend on the materials involved i.e. If it is a Sterling Silver or Gold Filled item, whether it contains gemstones, Swarovski crystal, pearls, Abalone shell, coral etc.
 
The following items are very delicate

Amber
Coral
Crystal e.g. Swarovski
Drusy
Emeralds
Jades
Kunzite
Lapis Lazuli
Malachite
Mother of Pearl
Onyx
Opals
Pearls
Peridot
Shells e.g. Abalone shell
Turquoise

The list is not exhaustive, and all opaque stones should be considered delicate and as such cleaning of these should be done with a soft damp cloth, just wiping them very gently.
 
Keep your jewelry away from salt water, mineral springs, suntan lotion, washing-up-liquids, household cleaners, bleach, chlorine, hairspray and perfume.
Avoid wearing jewelry when swimming (in swimming pools, hot tubs or the sea)
Never leave jewelry in direct sunlight (eg on the windowsill)
Avoid exposing jewelry to sudden temperature changes.
Do not wear your jewellery to bed.    
Do not use proprietary silver jewelry cleaners  / dips on jewelry containing gemstones /shells / pearls etc.
Avoid cleaning your jewelry with cleaners that contain bleach or chlorine.
Ultrasonic cleaners can shatter some gemstones certainly the more sensitive ones.
Ionic cleaners are considered safe for most jewelry except haematite and drusy stones.
(Always read the instructions before use).

BIRTHSTONES - Traditional, Modern, Cabochon and Zodiac

Traditional

January  - Garnet
February - Amethyst
March  - Bloodstone
April  - Diamond
May  - Emerald
June  - Alexandrite
July  - Ruby
August  - Sardonyx
September - Sapphire
October  - Tourmaline
November - Citrine
December - Turquoise

Modern

January  - Garnet
February - Amethyst
March  - Aquamarine
April  - Diamond
May  - Emerald
June  - Pearl
July  - Ruby
August  - Peridot
September - Sapphire
October  - Opal
November - Topaz
December - Turquoise/Blue Zircon/Blue Topaz

Cabochon

January  - Garnet
February - Amethyst
March  - Bloodstone
April  - Mother of Pearl
May  - Green Onyx
June  - Moonstone
July  - Jasper
August  - Carnelian
September - Lapis Lazuli
October  - Opal
November - Citrine
December - Turquoise

Zodiac

Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)  - Ruby
Aquarius (Jan 21-Feb 21) - Garnet
Pisces (Feb 22-Mar 20) - Amethyst
Aries (Mar 21-Apr 20) - Bloodstone (Jasper)
Taurus (Apr 21-May 21) - Sapphire
Gemini (May 22-Jun 21) - Agate
Cancer (Jun 22-Jul 22) - Emerald
Leo (Jul 23-Aug 22) - Onyx
Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22) - Carnelian
Libra (Sep 23-Oct 23) - Chrysolite (Peridot)
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 21) - Aquamarine
Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21) - Topaz

Wedding Anniversary Gemstones

(Alternate stones are listed in brackets).

1   - Gold (Peridot)
2   - Garnet
3   - Pearl (Jade)
4   - Blue Topaz (Blue Zircon)
5   - Sapphire (Pink Tourmaline)
6   - Amethyst (Turquoise)
7   - Onyx (Yellow Sapphire, Golden Beryl)
8   - Tourmaline (Tanzanite)
9   - Lapis Lazuli (Amethyst, Green Spinel)
10 - Diamond (Blue Sapphire)
11 - Turquoise (Citrine, Yellow Zircon)
12 - Jade (Opal)
13 - Citrine (Moonstone, Hawk's Eye)
14 - Opal (Agate, Bloodstone)
15 - Ruby (Rhodolite Garnet, Alexandrite)
16 - Peridot (Red Spinel)
17 - Carnelian
18 - Cat's Eye / Chrysoberyl (Aquamarine)
19 - Aquamarine (Almandine Garnet)
20 - Emerald (Yellow or Golden Diamond)
21 - Iolite
22 - Spinel
23 - Imperial Topaz
24 - Tanzanite
25 - Silver (Tsavorite, Green Garnet)
30 - Pearl
35 - Emerald
40 - Ruby
45 - Sapphire (Cat's Eye)
50 - Golden (Imperial / Golden Topaz)
55 - Alexandrite
60 - Diamond (Star Ruby)
65 - Blue Spinel
70 - Sapphire (Smoky Quartz)
75 - Diamond
80 - Ruby

Gemstone Lore

Traditional Gemstone Properties

Abalone:
The inside lining of an abalone shell believed to have a calming effect.

Agates:
Balancing physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual energies; perceptiveness, strength, inspiration, awakening talents.

Amazonite:
Success, joy, self-expression, awakening heart, soothing, harmony, balancing.

Amber:
This is fossil resin of trees. Soothing, calming, cleansing.

Amethyst:
Contentment, spirituality, dreams, healing, peace, happiness, love, intuition.

Ametrine:
Intellectual stimulation, attunement, releasing, dispelling tension, connecting.

Apatite:
Intellect, achieving results, healing, insight, humanitarianism, meditation, balance, creativity.

Aquamarine:
Courage, purification, peace, intuition, self-expression, balance, preparedness.

Aventurine:
Healing, money, mental agility, visual acuity, peace, opening heart, motivation, leadership.

Azurite:
Intuitive energy, dreams, healing, insight, stilling the mind, concentration, self transformation.

Bloodstone:
Courage, intense healing, renewal, strength, victory, intuitive decision making.

Calcite:
Purification, peace, calming, memory, awareness, appreciation of nature.

Carnelian:
Precision, analytical capabilities, physical energy, verbal skill, peace, spirituality.

Celestite:
Verbal skill, healing, compassion, calming, growth, intuition, hope.

Chrysocolla:
Easing heartache, stamina, wisdom, peace, love, communication, vitality, inner strength.

Chrysoprase:
Balancing male-female energy, love, grace, compassion, clemency,personal growth.

Citrine:
Intuition, comfort, protection, creativity, physical energy, wealth, mental awakening.

Coral:
Diplomacy, quieting emotions, visualization.

Crystal Quartz:
Intensifying energy, spiritual development, healing, raising consciousness.

Diamond:
Courage, strength, healing, protection, spirituality, mental abilities.

Dumortierite:
Self-reliance, stamina, patience, recognition of potential, understanding, communication of ideas.

Emerald:
Love, domestic bliss, sensitivity, loyalty, memory, mental capacity, harmony, focus, eliminating negativity.

Fluorite:
Stability, impartial reasoning, responsibility, concentration, health.

Fossil Stone:
Accomplishments, improvement of one?s environment, communication, innovation.

Garnet:
Health, removing negativity, awareness, commitment, regeneration, order, insight.

Hematite:
Mental attunement, memory, calming, balance, focusing energy and emotions, peace, inner happiness, transforming negativity.

Howlite:
Awareness, calm, emotional expression, observation, patience, eliminating negativity.

Iolite:
Intuition, spiritual growth, healing, balance, releasing discord, awakening to inner knowledge.

Jade:
Fidelity, dreams, realization of potential, peace, accord, resourcefulness, accomplishment.

Jaspers:
Protection, nurturing, joy, awareness; balancing of physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual energies.

Labradorite:

Alignment, spiritual connection, transformation, clarity, peace, progression, discernment.

Lapis Lazuli:
Wisdom, intuition, awareness, objectivity, clarity, creativity, expanded consciousness, dreams, purity, courage, serenity.

Lepidolite:
Hope, stress reduction, birth, peace, spirituality, physical strength, luck, protection, emotional balance.

Malachite:
Transformation, insight, clarifying emotions, fidelity, loyalty, practicality.

Marble:
Charitable actions, original thinking, alleviation of sorrow.

Moonstone:
Introspection, reflection, beginnings, insight, tenderness, harmony, peace, travel.

Mother of Pearl:
Mental clarity, intuition, sensitivity, imagination, adaptability, cooperation.

Obsidians:
Clarity, deflecting negativity, protection, healing.

Onyx:
Self-control, decision making, intuition, recognition of personal strengths.

Opal:
Creativity, spontaneity, relationships, memory, happy dreams and changes.

Pearl:
Purity, faith, charity, innocence, integrity, focus, wisdom, spirituality, sincerity, fertility.

Peridot:

Warmth, friendliness, understanding, openness in love and relationships, regulation of cycles.

Pyrite:
Defense, prevention, protection from negativity, physical wholeness, memory.

Quartz:
Increases body's natural healing abilities, anti-aging, strengthening, cleansing,protection, intuition.

Rhodocrosite:
Love, emotional balance, cleansing, renewal, relaxation, expansion of consciousness.

Rhodonite:
Peace, generosity, attention to details.

Rhyolite:
Change, variety, progress, creativity, transcending barriers.

Rose Quartz:
Love, peace, happiness, gentleness, healing emotional wounds.

Ruby:
Nurturing, spiritual wisdom, attainment of values, economic stability, protection from distress.

Sapphire:
Joy, peace, beauty, intuition, prosperity, fulfillment of dreams.

Serpentine:
(see Jade)

Smoky Quartz:
Dissolving emotional blockage, clearing the mind, cooperation, personal pride, joy in living, attentiveness to the moment, protection.

Sodalite:
Wisdom, logic, calmness, healing, stress reduction, companionship, self-esteem.

Sunstone:
Alleviating fears, energizing, cleansing.

Tanzanite:
Communication, intuition, protection, symmetry, decision-making, spirituality.

Tiger Eye:
Practicality, peacefulness, clarity, intelligence, intuition, new experiences, financial stability, calmness, releasing inhibitions.

Tiger Iron:
Artistic endeavors, beauty, vitality.

Topaz:
True love, success in endeavors, understanding of interrelationships, expression of ideas, trust, health, personal expansion and growth.

Tourmaline:
Energizing, soul-searching, releasing.

Turquoise:
Spiritual attunement, cleansing, healing, protection, valor, soothing, peace of mind, guidance through the unknown, romantic spontaneity.

Unakite:
Balance, re-birth, foresight, emotional balance.

Zoisite:
Dispelling laziness, facilitating advancement.

NOTE: This information is generally accepted as the lore for these stones.  Special Things Jewellery does not necessarily subscribe to all the benefits listed, and is for interest only.

Privacy policy

Special Things Jewellery (designers of handmade gemstone jewelry) confirm that all personal and contact information you share with  will remain confidential and WILL NOT be shared with, sold to, or in any way passed to any other person, organization or company.

Postage and Packaging

Up to 500grams : Australia           - $9.00 (Registered Parcel Post)
                 
Up to 250grams : New Zealand    - Air Mail - $7.20
                                                    - Registered Post International- $16.40

Up to 250grams : USA & Canada - Air Mail - $9.55
                                                     - Registered Post International- $21.10

Up to 250grams :UK, Europe,      - Air Mail - $11.35
                           Ireland and         - Registered Post International- $24.70
                           South Africa

For any countries not listed here, please email us for prices.

On larger items or multiple purchases, price will be confirmed from Special Things Jewellery by email.

Customs Fees and Import Restrictions.

Some countries place restrictions on goods imported or charge customs duties or import fees.
It is the responsibility of the customer to find out about any restrictions applicable to them and pay any charges.

Purchasing Procedure

Our preferred method of payment is Paypal (where you can use your credit card) and is a FREE service to you.

We do not accept personal cheques

We do not ship C.O.D

All of our handmade gemstone jewelry is manufactured from the finest quality Sterling Silver, Argentium Sterling Silver, and 14kt gold filled wire.

Items unworn, unaltered, and undamaged can be returned within 7 days of receipt.
Simply return within 7 days of receipt in the original packaging for a full refund less shipping costs.

On returning your purchase, please:-

email us with the relevant details within 7 days of receipt prior to returning goods.
On all return parcels please state : RETURN / UNDER WARRANTY.
Note: if this is not done you could be liable for any duty incurred.

Track and insure the return shipment.
Special Things Jewellery is not responsible for lost or misdirected mail.

Crediting your returns: - on satisfactory receipt of the item, any refunds due will be disbursed in the manner received.