What is Wire Wrapping?
No one really knows when or where the ancient art of wire wrap originated. It is known that Egyptian and Phoenician artists practiced the art over 5,000 years ago as pieces have been found in the pyramids as well as ancient Pharaoh’s tombs.
It is the only known metal jewelry that is created completely without soldering or casting. The wire used may be from many different alloys such as copper, brass, sterling silver or gold. Although this art was lost for a while in history, it reappeared during the Victorian Era, where it’s popularity surpassed traditional cast jewelry. In the last 30 years, wire wrapped jewelry has continued to increase in it’s popularity due to uniqueness, flexibility, and the “create ability” of it’s artisans.
What is Gold Filled Wire?
Pure gold is 24Kt. and is so soft that is it impossible to utilize it in wire wrap. Gold-filled refers to the process in which a layer of 10Kt. or better gold is mechanically bonded under heat and pressure to one or more surfaces of supporting base metal (usually jewelers brass), then rolled or drawn to a given thickness (since it is a surface layer of gold, you cannot cast with it).
The finished product thus has a surface layer of gold of the appropriate karat weight which is very thick compared to gold plate, gold electroplated or rolled gold plate. The quantity of gold must be at least 1/20th by weight of the total product. This is commonly marked as 14/20, 12/20 or 10/20, which mean receptively 1/20th by weight 14Kt. gold-filled, 12Kt. gold-filled, etc.
Rolled Gold Plate is made the same way as gold-filled material, but with a lower gold content. The minimum standard is 1/40th the total weight of the product must be gold. An item marked 10KRGP is 1/40th 10Kt. gold by weight.
Beware of the difference! A 14Kt. Gold filled material carries over a 10% cost increase over 12Kt. material. Most wire wrappers use 12Kt. gold filled wire. The MJB’s Gemwrap uses only 14Kt. gold-filled and Sterling Silver and Anti-Tarnish Argentium® Sterling Silver wire.
What is Argentium 930 Silver?
Imagine Silver jewelry that rarely needs polishing and is firescale-free, that is what you get with Argentium 930 Silver (AS). It is made with a little bit of germanium to strongly inhibit tarnishing. AS silver is just like the traditional Sterling Silver, it is never less than 93% silver and still can be stamped “AS925″, “.925″ or Sterling.
What type of Wire does Sand N Stones use?
A: 14k Gold-filled: This wire is made by layering 14k gold over a base material, usually jeweler’s brass. The coating in 14/20 gold-filled wire is about 100 times thicker than gold plate. Most of what we use is 14/20 gold-filled wire. Gold-filled items are considered life-time products for most people, and the gold layer will not wear off, as it will in electroplated products. We can now do special orders in Red or White Gold-filled in some cases.
I have been using less Sterling Silver wire, and working more with the Anti-Tarnish Sterling Silver wire know as Argentium® Sterling Silver Wire.
Argentium® Sterling Silver is real sterling silver — it is 925 parts out of 1000 silver, or .925. The difference is what the other 075 parts are. Traditional sterling silver uses copper as the balance of the sterling. Argentium® Sterling Silver is a trademarked and patented alloy that uses a combination copper and Germanium to make up the 075 parts of the sterling silver.
Argentium® Sterling Silver is highly tarnish resistant. One jewelry designer who has been using it for years in testing claims that she has never seen tarnish on any of her Argentium® pieces! In fact, Argentium® increases its tarnish resistance over time. Argentium® wire is just a little bit harder to work with than standard sterling. At only about $1.00 to $2.00 more per ounce, its tarnish resistance makes it well worth the money.
Personally, I have found it depends on the acidity level of the person. If you are highly acidic that it will tarnish even the Argentium after time.
We are positive that our jewelry will bring many generation great joy and appreciation.
How to care for wire wrapped jewelry?
A: Wire wrap jewelry, as with all fine jewelry, requires reasonable and sensible care. You can safely use the same cleaner that you use on your other fine jewelry. You can either take it to your jeweler, or if you prefer it is recommend you use a household soapy ammonia, like Lemon sented Joy or Dawn, and a soft (old) toothbrush. First dip both the jewelry and the toothbrush in water. Now dip the toothbrush into the soapy ammonia and gently scrub the jewelry. Rinse well. This process may be used on all fine jewelry and works especially well on blackened sterling. All fine jewelry should be cleaned often to maintain it’s beauty and prevent oxidation, that hand creams and soaps build up.
You can also save all those little silica gel desiccant packets that are packaged with new handbags and shoes. They are like little moisture absorbers and if you slip them in a plastic bag or in your jewelry box with your sterlilng jewerly they will help keep it from tarnishing. Just be sure to keep the packets away from children and pets as the contents are poisonous.
If I have something can I ship it to you to wire wrap?
Yes, I will be happy to wire wrap something that you may already own. It need to be the size of a dime or larger. Sorry, I will not do any animal parts though. Please ship the item to my P.O. Box ( P.O. Box 352, Lewes, Delaware 19958) Please also include your name, phone number, and address. When I receive the item, I will give you a call, so that we can discuss details, such as if you want it wrapped in 14 K gold-filled, Anti-Tarnish Sterling Silver, or two tone. Pendant, pin, earrings, or a ring. If you want a swish or a rosette at the top. How much the it will cost to wire wrap it. Prices start at $75.00 and go up from there. You tell me to go ahead or not, and I get your credit card information at that time.
Why don’t you sell on line?
At this time Sand N Stones does not sell the wire framed jewelry on line. Each stone or shard is so unique and each piece that I wrap is a One-Of-A-Kind piece. You can see samples of my wire wrapping on the web-site. Once it is sold I can not make another one. When you come into the shop you will see several show cases filled with cabaochons of stones from around the world, a few faceted stones, natural crystals, Mother Nature’s Sea Glass shards, Glass cabaochons, diachronic glass, beach stones, beach treasures, Cape May Bay Diamonds, Swarovski Crystals, and Fine Bone China Cabaochons. You can choose any stone out of the cases and I will be happy to wire wrap it for you, you can also bring in or send me a something that you already own such as a special gem, sea glass, coin, button, arrowhead, just about anything. (with the exceptin of animal parts, I will wrap sharks teeth) If you are looking for a special something, call or e-mail me and if I have it in the case I will be happy to send you a picture with the cost to wire wrap it and we can discuss details over the phone or internet.
How do you price your pieces?
My wire wrapped jewelry starts at $75.00 and goes all the way up to $500.00.
The price really depends on…
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If I am wrapping one of my pieces or if you are bring in or sending me something that you already own,
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The price of the stone or glass if it is something out of my cases,
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If you want it wrapped in 14 k gf, anti-tarnish Sterling Silver, or a combination of both,
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If you want a pendant, pin, earrings (which is like wrapping two pendants with a bit of a discount) or a ring.
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It also depends on how big and how thick the piece is, because that determine how much wire I use.
Shopping FAQ
Which credit cards do you accept?
- Visa, MasterCard, and Discover/Novus cards are accepted, as well as debit cards which bear the Visa or MasterCard logo.
- We also take Money Orders, travelers Checks, Sand N Stones Gift Certificates and Checks:
We request that Checks meet this criteria.
-The check must have a complete Street Address not just a PO Box and a verified phone number.
-Sand N Stones, reserves the right to record identification numbers (such as drives license, Military ID, or State Identification Card numbers) on the check.
-The figure and the written amount must match.
-Check must not be postmarked.
-Checks that I receive in the mail, I try to put in the bank within 24 hours of receiving them. The check must be cleared before I send the merchandise.
-There will be a $35.00 return check fee along with any other accrued charges that may apply. It is also my policy to attempt to contact the customer regarding this matter.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Can I cancel my order?
Yes, you can, as long as the item has not been shipped. If you do receive an order that was canceled, accept delivery of the item and call Michele Buckler at 302-645-0576 or send me an e-mail gemwrap@comcast.net
I canceled my order but I haven’t received a credit yet. How long do credits take?
We submit all requests for credits within 72 hours of receipt; however, it may take 7-10 business days for you to receive your credit. You should see this on your next credit card statement or the following one, depending on where you are in your billing cycle.
Can I return an item that is damaged, defective, or I just don’t want?
If, within 10 days, you are not satisfied with your purchase, we will replace the item or provide a store credit for the full merchandise amount less any shipping charges. Merchandise returned without authorization will be refused, and the carrier will charge you freight in both directions. We request that you please return your merchandise in the original box and packing materials. Do not destroy or discard original packing for 30 days.
Shipping FAQ
How long will it take to receive my order?
The standard shipping time for orders shipped via UPS ground or USPS is 5-10 days.
Can I have an order shipped to my P.O. Box?
No. The some of our merchandise is shipped via UPS, and a valid street address is needed to ensure proper delivery. If a P.O. Box is used as a shipping address, an error message will appear when submitting the order. We also cannot deliver to A.P.O., F.P.O. or foreign addresses.
Can I ship my order to a different address?
Yes! When you place your order and come to the Check Out screen, just replace your address with the address you want to ship your merchandise to, then continue. Remember to use a street address, not a Post Office Box, for any shipping address.
How are shipping charges calculated?
Shipping charges vary according to shipping method and destination. Therefore, we are not able to reduce shipping charges for any reason.
Most products are shipped via USPS (because they offer package insurance and excellent tracking software). Rapid delivery requires an additional fee.
Are the shipping charges added when I order?
No, It depends on how you would like you order shipped and if it is insured or not. It also depends on how big the package being sent and how much it weighs. Your credit card maybe billed twice for shipping charges.
