Gems & Materials

I use a variety of metals and gems to create my unique hand-crafted pieces. Because of the nature of my materials, each item is one of a kind and will have its own special character. See below for my most commonly used materials. Each piece’s item description in my shop will have material details.

Metals.

Gold-plated jewelry is made from a non-precious base metal, which as been clad with a thin layer of high-karat gold. A majority of gold-plated pieces are fabricated by electroplating a 0.5-1.0 micron thick layer of gold onto a nickel-coated brass, copper, or steel. The nickel layer prevents the base metal from affecting the gold layer.
Gold plate is an excellent alternative to fine gold jewelry, while still retaining the desirable aesthetic luster.

Brass, an alloy derived from the two metals copper and zinc, exudes a warm and enticing hue, akin the tonal balance of gold. The ductile quality of brass allows for intricate and detailed design, as well as bold shapes for statement jewelry. Some brass will have a golden shine if it is new, and others will present with a more rustic and vintage look. Brass is corrosion and rust-resistant, which makes the material ideal for regular wear.

Stainless steel is a metal compound of iron, carbon, and chromium. It is corrosion and heat-resistant, which makes it an excellent material for everyday jewelry. This material is durable, light-weight, and most known for being hypoallergenic, which means it’s great for those with sensitive skin.
Additionally, stainless steel is one of the most environmentally friendly metal options for jewelry.

Copper is considered the oldest metal ore. A material with a reddish-orange color that dates back to the ancient Egyptians, and even earlier. Copper is both malleable and durable, making it a ideal material for long-lasting items. Often used for a base in plated jewelry, copper also provides an excellent foundation for hand-crafted pieces.

Pearls.

One of the most popular gems for jewelry are pearls, which come in a variety of colors - from white and cream to black, gray, and silver, and beyond. by R.R. typically uses freshwater pearls, as they have a great range in size and shape.

Macrame.

Macrame is a textile created from knotting, rather than weaving or knitting. Commonly, macrame uses cords of cotton or linen, but can also be made from hemp, leather, yarn, or other similar materials.

Wood.

Wood is a naturally strong material. Trees face the challenges of the weather and their
texture can be smooth, rough, fuzzy, etc. Wood is a symbol of strength and growth. I incorporate wood into many of my pieces because of the great variety in texture and the natural feel of the material.

Semi-precious Gemstones.

Semi-precious stones offer an infinite palette of colors and shades. The best known of these are amethyst, topaz, peridot, citrine, aquamarine, green tourmaline.

Most semi-precious stones can be made into beads. The versatility of this material allows for unique and varied pieces. Beads can be made from transparent or translucent gemstone materials like tourmaline, quartz, sapphire, and ruby.