Metals & Materials
Metals & Materials Sara Montgomery Designs
At Sara Montgomery Designs & Metalworking Studio, we offer a diverse range of high-quality materials to create unique and stunning jewellery pieces. Our selection includes various metals, gemstones, and natural and repurposed materials, ensuring that each piece is completely unique.
Metals
We use a variety of metals in our jewellery to cater to different tastes and styles. Our selection includes:
- Sterling Silver: Known for its durability and bright finish. North American and many countries have a standard of 92.5% Fine Silver and up to 7.5% Copper. This can vary wildly by country and manufacture. Some can have the increasingly used and dangerous Nickel, so be careful of your supplier!
- Argentium Silver: A modern alloy that is highly tarnish-resistant.
- Fine/Pure Silver: Composed of 99.9% pure silver, ideal for intricate details. Great for Silver Clay and fine details.
- Copper: Valued for its rich, reddish-brown colour that develops a natural patina.
- Brass: An alloy of copper and zinc with a warm, yellowish tone. Can look very much like gold depending on alloy.
- Bronze: Made primarily of copper and tin, offering a distinctive, antique look. Used in base metal clay and sand-casting.
- Gold: Available in various karats (24k, 22k, 18k, 14k, 12k, 10k, 9k) and many colours, including yellow, white, green, purple and rose gold. Along with the Japanese techinque of Keum-boo
- Gold-Filled: Offers the look and feel of gold at a more affordable price. This type will tarnish over time, and can with much wear, have the gold rubbed off. Gold Filled is best for items like earrings that do not come into contact with skin or clothing.
- Aluminum: Lightweight and versatile, widely available.
- Iron - Amazing properties - great for tools and additions to jewellery
- Steel - an alloy of iron and carbon.
- Tin: Utilised for its unique properties and finish. Its light and forms easily.
Stones
Our jewellery features a wide range of beautiful stones, each chosen for its unique characteristics and beauty. These stones include:
- Baltic Amber: Fossilized tree resin, warm honey tones.
- Turquoise: Blue-green, copper mineral, ancient and revered.
- Lapis Lazuli: Deep blue, flecked with gold pyrite.
- Aquamarine: Blue-green, resembles seawater, serene.
- Larimar: Rare blue pectolite, Dominican Republic exclusive.
- Rose Quartz: Pale pink quartz.
- Quartz: Clear, versatile, widely used in jewellery.
- Moonstone/Labradorite: Iridescent, flashes of colour.
- Herkimer Diamonds: Double-terminated quartz crystals, clear and brilliant.
- Opal: Iridescent, displays a play of colours.
- Ruby: Deep red, highly valued gemstone. Red variety of corundum.
- Sapphire: Blue variety of corundum.
- Pietersite: Stormy mix of blue, gold, brown.
- Chrysocolla: Blue-green, copper silicate mineral.
- Morganite: Pink beryl, known for its delicate colour.
- Beryl: Clear to blue-green, includes emerald and aquamarine.
- Emerald: Rich green, highly prized gemstone.
- Tourmaline: Multi-colored, widely used in jewellery.
Natural & Repurposed Materials
In addition to metals and stones, we also incorporate various natural and repurposed materials into our designs. These materials add a unique and eco-friendly touch to our jewellery. Our selection includes:
- Repurposed Wood
- Sil
- Ceramics
- Reclaimed Beeswax Polish
- Glass
- Crystal
Other Collected or Bespoke Materials & Techinques:
- Japanese Cylinder Beads: Miyuki Precision-made, vibrant glass seed beads.
Each piece at Sara Montgomery Designs & Metalworking Studio is crafted with a commitment to sustainability, ensuring that you receive a one-of-a-kind item that you can cherish for years to come. Explore our collection to find the perfect piece that resonates with your style and values. For more information on the minerals used, visit www.mindat.org.