Shaping the wire
Every piece starts as fine wire: silver-plated, 18K gold-plated or colored copper and brass. Depending on the design, the wire is bent, wrapped, crocheted or woven by hand into petals, leaves, fans and hoops. Crocheted wire, worked loop by loop with a small hook, gives the open lace of a ruffle collar; tighter weaving gives the bands of a woven stone bracelet. Because the shaping is done by hand, no two pieces come out exactly alike.
Setting pearls and stones
Freshwater cultured pearls, glass pearls, cubic zirconia, abalone shell and natural stones such as amazonite and tiger's eye are set by hand as the shape closes, so each one sits where the maker placed it.
Finishing
Pin backs, posts and clasps are fitted last. Most earrings take 925 sterling silver posts; each product page lists the post metal. Every finished piece is checked and packed in a recycled paper drawer box before it ships.
See the materials glossary for what each material is, and care for how to keep it.