Do you accept custom orders?

Yes, I accept custom orders. I have a large collection of interesting and beautiful gemstones, and I often work with customers to create a unique design for them. I also work with customers' gems, so if you have a special stone tucked away, give me a call! And if you have a piece of jewelry with a gem you love, but a design you don't, we can take the gemstone and recycle it into a new piece of jewelry you will treasure.

What kind of metals do you use?

I work primarily with precious metals:

• Sterling silver, which is 92.5% pure silver alloyed with 7.5% copper (indicated by a ".925" or "sterling" hallmark)

• Gold, usually 14kt or 18kt

What is the difference between "gold," "gold-fill," and "gold-plate"?

The following information is based on the definitions set by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

• When used by itself, the word "gold" means all gold or 24 karat (24kt) gold. Because 24kt gold is soft, it is usually alloyed with other metals to increase its hardness and durability. The karat quality marking tells you what proportion of gold is mixed with the other metals. Fourteen karat (14kt) jewelry contains 14 parts of gold, mixed in throughout with 10 parts of other metal. The higher the karat rating, the higher the proportion of gold in the piece of jewelry.

• "Gold-filled," "gold overlay" and "rolled gold" plate describe jewelry that has a layer of at least 10 karat gold mechanically bonded to a base metal (such as brass).

• "Gold plate" (or electroplate) describes jewelry that has a layer (at least .175 microns thick) of a minimum of 10 karat gold deposited on a base metal by an electrolytic process.

Is your work really hand-made in America?

Yes. Each piece of jewelry you see is designed and created by me in my Laguna Beach, California studio. Some components, such as earring posts & backs, lobster clasps (known as "findings" in jewelry terminology) or chains, are commercially made.

What are your shipping costs?

I ship via USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Shipping. I do not add any handling fees to the shipping costs, the amount is simply what I am charged by the carrier. At checkout, you can choose either a Small or Medium box (most purchases would fit in a Small box, but if your are ordering multiple pieces, it may require the Medium box).