Cameo Jewelry And Gemstone Jewelry Handcrafted In Wire

handcrafted wire jewelry, wire sculpted jewelry

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is this wire? Is it gold-plated? Eeww, I don't like gold-plate!
Do you carve the cameos?
I have a cameo (gem, stone, etc.). Can you set it in a custom wire piece?
How do I take care of my cameo?

About The Wire:

14k Rolled Gold
What is rolled gold? Rolled gold, or gold-filled, is a thick layer of 14k or 18k gold applied through a heat-and-pressure technique to a base metal, usually brass. This is NOT gold plate! Rolled gold contains 100 times more gold than gold plate. I use only 14/20 rolled gold, which means that fully 5% of the wire is 14k gold.

Your rolled gold jewelry item can be kept bright with Jewelry Joose, a gentle yet effective cleaner that I use every day. A polishing cloth will keep your jewelry piece bright in between cleanings. You will love the long-lasting wearability of rolled gold.

Sterling Silver
I also use genuine sterling silver wire, which is 92.5% pure silver, and 7.5% copper. It does tarnish easier than gold, but your sterling silver jewelry item can be kept bright with a polishing cloth and Jewelry Joose.

FAQ #1: Do you carve the cameos?
Heavens no, I leave that to the Italian masters who create those beautiful masterpieces in shell, or those German "ubercarvers" of agate. I select the nicest cameos I can find, and then wire-sculpt a setting around them. Creating swirls and curls of wire is my passion.

FAQ #2: I have a cameo (stone, gem). Can you set it in a custom wire piece?
1/9/06 - I have reluctantly decided to discontinue doing custom work. My husband and I are involved in four different businesses: in addition to The Wiresculptress, we own a small excavation business, a website dedicated to our area of Northern Wisconsin, and we are partners with another couple in a truck accessories business. I have less and less time to do much of anything, let alone design and create custom work.

I will continue, however, to make my existing bracelet and ring designs to size.

Seven Secrets of Shell Cameo Care

1. Store your shell cameo in a jewelry box drawer, away from direct sunlight and/or heat. Sunlight will fade cameos (I found out the hard way).

2. Don’t place on cotton lining - that will dry out the cameo.

3. Once a year, soak your shell cameo in mineral oil for a couple hours. After soaking, remove all oil from the surface with dish soap and a soft toothbrush (gently). Rinse thoroughly in lukewarm water. Make sure all oil is removed from the surface of your cameo. Choose an easy-to-remember day such as your birthday or anniversary.

4. Take care not to drop your cameo on the floor. Shell cameos are brittle and can break.

5. Don’t use any kind of harsh jewelry cleaner on your shell cameo. Harsh cleaners will dry out the cameo and ruin the finish, making it look dull and “etched”. I use Jewelry Joose on each piece of jewelry I create, and I have found it to be safe on shell cameos as well as freshwater pearls.

6. For antique cameos of any material (at least 50 years old), simply dust with a soft brush, rinse in tepid water, and pat dry with a cotton cloth.

7. If the cameo does break, consult a jewelry professional skilled in cameo repair for an opinion.