Blog Archives

How to Remove Tarnish on Sterling Silver - Part 1

4/23/2019

More tips to come tomorrow to help you keep your sterling silver tarnish-free and how to remove it if it does tarnish!

How to remove tarnish on sterling silver

Seriously, this is a great question and one all us lovers of silver need to know!!

First of all, if you have less tarnish to remove, the removal process is easier, right? So, let's start there.

There are a couple of great ways to prevent your sterling silver jewelry (or anything else made of sterling silver) from tarnishing.

First, let's talk about where you store your jewelry - the bathroom is the absolute worst place to store it! All that moisture...yuck!

Tip 1: Don't store your silver in the bathroom (or anyplace else that damp).

Tip 2: Do store your silver in a dry place - how about inside a closed ziplock! Toss in a little desiccant pack (you know, those little packs that come in the box with new shoes or a new purse) and your silver is protected from moisture!

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What is Gold-filled Jewelry?

4/15/2019

The Difference Between Gold-Filled and Gold-Plated Jewelry

Handmade sterling silver and gold link necklace by Laura Teague Jewelry

Sterling silver and gold-filled link necklace

Gold-filled jewelry is jewelry composed of a thick layer of gold bonded to the outside of a high quality jeweler's brass core. The gold-filled jewelry we use is solid 14k gold over the base which means that the gold on the outside is "real". Click here or here to see examples of my handmade jewelry using gold-filled wire!

The 14k gold that’s on the outside of gold-filled is the same gold as you would get from a solid 14k piece so gold-filled pieces have the same appearance as solid 14k gold jewelry!

It's interesting that all the gold on "gold-filled" jewelry is on the outside - there is actually no gold "filling". Pretty confusing terminology!

Gold "plating", on the other hand, is a minuscule layer of solid gold applied to a brass base. The plating does not compose any measurable proportion of the product’s total weight. Gold plating can wear off quickly and expose the brass base product. It does not stand up to heat, water or wear over time. If you want jewelry that lasts, avoid anything "plated".

By comparison, gold-filled contains 5% gold by weigh. All the gold is on the surface is solid, "real" 14K gold, which offers product protection from tarnish and wear.

Click HERE to see an example of my handmade jewelry using gold-filled wire!

So, there you have it! Now you are an informed jewelry shopper so get out there & have fun!

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Louisiana Vacation and Inspiration!

4/8/2019

Lake Martin, Louisiana

One of our favorite places is Lake Martin, near Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. Only about 45 minutes from our home, we especially enjoy canoeing the lake this time of year, when egrets and roseate spoonbills make their nests in the cypress trees in the lake.

The irises were in full bloom and we topped it all off with a big plate of hot crawfish! A perfect day! On a day like this, there is honestly inspiration everywhere I look!!

Irises in bloom - purple, yellow & copper iris! Do you want another look at a recent Louisiana "mini-vacation"? Go HERE to see!

You can see a little nature inspired jewelry here - click here to see!

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