Shell Beads and Argentium Silver Earrings ("Peapod Earrings")

ARGENTIUM SILVER:
- Antibacterial and hypoallergenic
- Tarnish resistant
- 93.5% (.935) silver (94% going forward)
- Nickel free
- 100% recycled
- Whitest precious metal

GOLD-FILLED WIRE:
- Quality designation regulated by the Federal Trade Commission
- Material must have a layer of gold that is at least 10-karat mechanically applied to a base metal
- The karat gold layer must also be at least 1/20 (5%) of the item's total weight
- 14/20 indicates a 14-karat gold; 12/20 indicates 12-karat gold

MOKAMU GANE:
- Comprised of 21 layers of Argentium silver and copper
- Costs three times as much as Argentium silver

ABALONE SHELLS:
- Abalones are marine snails
- The thick inner layer of their shells is composed of nacre (mother-of-pearl)
- Their nacre is highly iridescent, with a range of strong, changeable colors

FINE SILVER:
- 99.9% pure silver (.999)
- Softer than Argentium or Sterling silver
- Will not take a high shine (too soft)
- Does not tarnish
- Used in silver bullion for trade in markets

STERLING SILVER:
- Contains metals that react with chemicals in air and produce tarnish
- High moisture levels, exposure to sunlight and contaminants such as salt water increase this reaction

PRECIOSA ROSE MONTEES:
- Chaton rhinestones set in nickel-plated or gold-toned settings.
- Produced from top quality Czech machine-cut lead crystal.
- Preciosa is a world leader in the manufacture of crystal chatons, beads and jewelry components.
- If you have a nickel allergy, choose gold-toned setting--or an item made with Argentium or rhodium-plated components, instead.

JEWELER'S BRASS:
Jeweler's brass is a great choice when you want a color as close as possible to 14K yellow gold at a base-metal price point. (It is also known as red brass, NuGold, Merlin's gold, and jeweler’s bronze.)

Use a string, narrow strip of paper, or flexible measuring tape to measure your wrist where you want your bracelet to rest.

Add the fit adjustment to determine the length of bracelet to order.

FIT ADJUSTMENT:

Tight Fit:
   Use your wrist measurement
   (Warning: Use tight fit only if you want your bracelet
   below your wrist, at top of hand)

Snug Fit:
   Add 1/4"-1/2” (0.6 cm–1.25 cm) to your wrist measurement

Comfort Fit:
   Add 1/2"-1” (1.25 cm–2.5 cm) to your wrist measurement

Loose Fit:
   Add 1"–1 1/4” (2.5 cm–3.0 cm) to your wrist measurement

* Most people find that adding 1/2" to their wrist measurement results in a comfortable fit.

ARGENTIUM SILVER
- Simply wipe with a soft cloth, or for more intricate pieces, wash in warm soapy* water, then rinse and dry immediately to avoid water marks. (*Blue Dawn dish detergent is a good choice.)
- An occasional wipe with a clean silver polishing cloth or Argentium Care Cloth will help to maintain Argentium silver's beautiful shine and lustre.
- Avoid "dip" polishes.
- As recommended for other precious metals, it is advisable to remove Argentium silver jewelry before entering swimming pools or jacuzzis and before carrying out actiities where Argentium silver could come into contact with chemicals.

STERLING SILVER:
- Take steps to protect your sterling jewelry by keeping it in airtight packages
- Use tarnish-resistant products (such as tarnish tabs or strips) that absorb harmful chemicals
- Store sterling findings in a cool, dry place
- Most tarnish is easily removed by polishing with a mild abrasive or soaking in an anti-tarnish solution.

SWAROVSKI FOIL-BACKED CRYSTALS
- Although these crystals are excellent quality, some chemicals, oils, and lotions can eat at the foil back.
- If in doubt about whether something will damage the foil, remove the jewelry item to avoid the substance.
- You can wash these crystals in warm soapy* water, then rinse and dry immediately to avoid water marks. (*Blue Dawn dish detergent is a good choice.)
- Most often, these crystals will be paired with Argentium silver, which can be cleaned the same way.