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A gemstone’s hardness will determine its ability to withstand everyday wear, so picking the right stone is vital for any jewelry design. Whether you're a jewelry enthusiast, a gemstone collector, or just someone looking to make an informed purchase, understanding gemstone hardness will help you find the right piece for your needs. Here we’ll cover the essentials of stone hardness by introducing the Mohs scale, and learning how the scale categorizes minerals from softest to hardest. We’ll also apply that knowledge to jewelry so you’ll know exactly how to choose or create your perfect long-lasting gemstone piece.  In this blog you’ll find all the info to answer your questions like: What is stone hardness? What hardness should my stone be? And what is the Mohs scale?     What is gemstone hardness?  Gemstone hardness refers to the ability of a gemstone to resist scratches. It measures how tough or resistant a gemstone is to surface damage caused by everyday wear and tear. It does not mean a stone won’t chip or break when it comes into contact with other surfaces though. For everyday jewelry, it’s best to choose harder stones. If you have your heart set on a softer stone, just wear the jewelry piece on special occasions - it shouldn’t be worn in moments when it could come into contact with things that could scratch it.   How is gemstone hardness measured?  Gemstone hardness is measured using the Mohs scale, which ranks minerals on a scale from 1 to 10 based on their scratch resistance. The scale compares one mineral's ability to scratch another, with diamond ranking as the hardest mineral at 10. The scale is not linear so for example a diamond, a 10 on the scale, is about 4-5 times harder than sapphire, a 9 on the scale, which is about 2 times harder than topaz, an 8 on the scale. How do I pick the right gemstone for my jewelry?  To determine if a gemstone is hard enough for your jewelry needs, consider both the type of jewelry and your lifestyle. For everyday wear jewelry like rings and bracelets, opt for harder gemstones like sapphire or diamond that can withstand regular use and resist scratches. For occasional wear jewelry such as earrings or pendants, you have more flexibility and can choose softer gemstones like pearls or opals. Also make sure you consider the types of activities you engage in regularly - if you’re involved in sports or hands-on tasks, we recommend choosing harder gemstones for durability. If you know that you’re great at caring for your jewelry pieces during wear, a pearl ring can certainly work for you.  Still not sure which gemstone is right for you?  We are here for you! If you’d like to consult us about any of our catalog jewelry pieces, we are happy to help ask and answer the important questions. If you don’t see exactly what you envisioned, we can also collaborate with you on a custom design that is perfectly paired for you. Just email us at studio@wrmetalarts.com or fill out our custom design form here!    Check out some more resources to help you find the perfect jewelry piece:  -How to Choose your Metal -What Even is a Ring Shank?? -Gemstone Shapes and Cuts -4 Ways to Set a Stone      Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!  

What is greenwashing? How can I be sure my ring is ethically sourced? Where does my gold really come from? Don’t worry, we have all the answers for you!

    Color: Alexandrite is a unique gemstone that exhibits a remarkable color-changing ability, appearing green in daylight and reddish-purple in incandescent or artificial light.  Our Sources: Due to its rarity, we source lab-grown Alexandrite as a cost-effective measure. Whenever possible, we search for sources in-person at events like the Tucson gem show, where we are able to ask questions about origin and ethical practices. Until we find a reliably transparent source, we will continue sourcing Alexandrite only on a project-by-project basis.   Stone Cutting: We are continuing our research to find a consistently transparent sourcing and cutting option for Alexandrite. Currently, our available sources don't provide quite enough information to meet our transparent sourcing criteria. If you're looking for a more traceable stone, we do offer some super unique color-shifting garnets and sapphires.    Custom Alexandrite Mokume Gane Branch Ring   More on Alexandrite: Alexandrite is the traditional birthstone for June, and is sometimes given as a 55th wedding anniversary gift. This stone is a durable one - rated a 8.5 on the Mohs hardness scale - a great choice for everyday jewelry! Discovered in 1834 in Russia, Alexandrite was initially mistaken for an emerald due to its green color, but was later identified as a new mineral species. Alexandrite's captivating colorchanging ability is due to the presence of chromium, which absorbs different wavelengths of light depending on the lighting conditions. Prized for its unique coloration, Alexandrite is a rare gemstone, and high-quality specimens can fetch a hefty price.  Alexandrite is believed to have powerful healing properties and is said to promote self-awareness, creativity, and intuition. It is also believed to balance the energies of the body and enhance spiritual growth and transformation. Some people wear alexandrite as a talisman to ward off negative energy and bring good luck.     Custom Alexandrite and Diamond Multi Stone Ring   Our Commitment to Ethical Sourcing: W.R. Metalarts strives to know the full story of the materials we use in our jewelry. We are committed to supporting artisanal miners and mining communities, promoting healthy and safe working conditions, and avoiding environmentally destructive practices. We are dedicated to deepening our understanding and working to address the historical and ongoing harm of the jewelry industry on indigenous communities and communities of color all around the world. We do not claim to have all of the answers; we are constantly evaluating our practices as we gain a more nuanced understanding of our complex industry. Transparency is critical so that you, our clients and collaborators, can trust that we’ve done all we can to create the most beautiful jewelry - not just the end result, but beautiful at every step of the journey. The way that we back up these values is to do our homework, putting our suppliers through rigorous vetting processes. We don’t take our vendors at face value when they say a stone is “conflict-free” or “sustainable;” we push them to give us the whole story about the journey of a stone and if they are not able to back up their claims of “ethics'' with sources or credentials, we won’t work with them. We source directly from local cutters and miners, when possible, which is one way to ensure ethical, responsible, and sustainable business practices. It takes time and diligence to find suppliers that we trust, but once we find them, we forge incredible relationships built on our shared values of transparency, accountability, and doing good.  Thank you for supporting responsible sourcing!     Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!  

W.R.Metalarts specializes in creating stunning and meaningful jewelry designed to withstand the rigors of daily wear and last lifetimes. Even the most durable jewelry requires proper care to maintain its quality and appearance over time.

Whether it's a diamond solitaire ring or a colorful gemstone pendant, the way a stone is set can affect everything from a stone's sparkle to the durability of the design. There are many different ways to set stones in jewelry, each with their own unique style and benefits. From classic prongs to modern bezels, it is important to understand the different options available to choose the right setting(s) for your special jewelry. In this blog, we will explore a few of our favorite settings to help you make an informed decision about your design.     Prong Settings Prong settings are one of the most popular and versatile options! Small metal prongs are bent over your stone(s) to hold them in place. This style allows more light into your stone, maximizing its sparkle and shine. From the number of prongs to their shapes and sizes, prong settings can look very traditional or wildly unique. The possibilities for prong designs are nearly endless! While many of our most classic styles feature prong settings, like The Minimalist Solitaire and The Montana Sapphire Ring, prongs can also feel more organic, like The Mokume Twist Ring, or create modern vintage vibes, like The Morganite Halo and The Cat's Eye Ring.    Four-Prong Setting       Four-Prong Basket Setting     Decorative Prong Setting     V-Prong Setting       Double Prong Basket Setting       Bezel Settings Worried about pokey little prongs catching on gloves or clothing? A bezel setting might be the choice for you! In this style, a smooth, thin metal rim encircles the gemstone, holding it in place. Bezel settings are very secure and can help protect gemstones from accidental scratches or other damage. This type of setting may also enhance a gemstone's color and brilliance as the metal frame reflects light onto the stone. Bezels are a sleek choice for solitaires, as featured in our ‘Gold For Good’ Fairmined Solitaire Collection, as well as for multi-stone rings, like our Seven Stone Anniversary Bands. There are two types of bezel settings: full bezel and partial bezel. A full bezel setting completely surrounds the gemstone, like The Square Cut Garnet Mokume Ring, while a partial bezel only covers part of the gemstone's girdle (the widest part of the stone), like The Mokume Embrace. Most of our catalog designs with prong settings can be customized with bezel settings!   Bezel Setting     Partial Bezel Setting     Pavé Settings Pavé means “cobblestone” and “paved” in French. Pavé Settings feature small diamonds or gemstones that are set very close together, to create a continuous sparkling surface of round stones around the ring shank. The stones are all held in place by small metal beads or teeny prongs. Pavé settings bring a lot of brilliance and sparkle to any piece of jewelry; they look beautiful on their own and when complementing larger stones in other settings. While white diamonds are the traditional choice for pavé settings, we love mixing things up with more colorful stones, like The Rainbow Band and The Black Pavé Band. Pavé settings can also be used in nesting or contour bands, like The Pavé Contour Band.   Eternity Pavé Setting     Flush Settings In Flush Settings, gemstones are set into the metal so the tops of the stones are level (or flush) with the metals’ surface. The metal around each stone is pushed over its edges, creating a consistent rim all around the stone, holding it securely in place. Flush settings are extremely durable, and it is nearly impossible for a flush-set stone to fall out.   Only the tops of the stones are visible; the sides and bottoms are hidden below the surface of the metal. This ultra-low-profile setting is comfortable and completely snag-free, as there is nothing above the ring shank to catch on gloves, hair, or clothing. While other settings allow more light into your gemstones, flush settings create a sleek and elegant look of their own, like in The Scattered Stars Ring. If your style is more subtle than blingy, flush settings might be the perfect way to bring a bit of sparkle to your special jewelry.   Single Flush Setting     We hope this blog has shed some light on a few different stone settings and their unique features. Whether you prefer the classic elegance of prongs, the sleekness of bezels, the dazzle of pavé, or the modern simplicity of flush settings, we would love to help you design your dream ring!  Learn more about our Customizing option, where you can customize one of our catalog designs with your favorite stone settings. If you’re dreaming of a completely custom design that incorporates one or more of these settings, tell us all about it! We look forward to bringing your vision to life!       Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!  

Color: Tourmalines come in a huge variety of colors, including blue, green, red, pink, orange, and yellow. Some tourmaline gemstones are even multi-colored, like the “watermelon” tourmalines, which are cut to show off different shades of green and reddish pink within one stone! The Tourmaline Oval Solitaire Embrace   Our Sources: Did you know Maine is an excellent source for tourmalines of nearly every color? We love sourcing Maine tourmalines from our friends at the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum. We also source Fair Trade tourmalines from California and Nigeria through Columbia Gem House. Ethical sourcing is a challenging, nuanced endeavor and we strive to be completely transparent about our decisions. It is important to know not only where your materials were mined, but also when to understand whether or not your purchase is funding a group or government that does not align with your values. Afghanistan is another place with a rich supply of beautiful tourmalines. Columbia Gem House offers Afghan tourmalines that were mined and removed from the country prior to the U.S. War in Afghanistan. These stones were all cut in CGH’s own cutting facility, which adheres to their Fair Trade Principles. While we do not source newly-mined gemstones from Afghanistan, we have used tourmalines from this older supply. Learn more about the complexities of responsible sourcing in Afghanistan in Christina T. Miller’s Living Room Session with Zulaikha Aziz. The Fairmined Maine Tourmaline Notched Solitaire   More on Tourmalines:  Tourmalines are rated 7-7.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, making them durable enough for your everyday jewelry. We recommend cleaning your tourmaline jewelry with mild soap and a soft brush; avoid using an ultrasonic cleaner or steam cleaner, as these could damage your gemstone.  Tourmalines are one of October’s birthstones and are also associated with the eighth anniversary. Because of their complex molecular structure, tourmalines have unusual electrical properties. When heated or compressed, they gain a polarized electrical charge making them magnetic. Different colors of tourmaline are believed to have various metaphysical properties, which include healing, reducing anxiety, promoting empathy and wisdom, increasing confidence, and protecting the wearer from harm. Custom Seafoam Tourmaline Ring Our Commitment to Ethical Sourcing: W.R. Metalarts strives to know the full story of the materials we use in our jewelry. We are committed to supporting artisanal miners and mining communities, promoting healthy and safe working conditions, and avoiding environmentally destructive practices. We are dedicated to deepening our understanding and working to address the historical and ongoing harm of the jewelry industry to indigenous communities and communities of color all around the world. We do not claim to have all of the answers; we are constantly evaluating our practices as we gain a more nuanced understanding of our complex industry. Transparency is critical so that you, our clients and collaborators, can trust that we’ve done all we can to create the most beautiful jewelry - not just the end result, but beautiful at every step of the journey. The way that we back up these values is to do our homework, putting our suppliers through rigorous vetting processes. We don’t take our vendors at face value when they say a stone is “conflict-free” or “sustainable;” we push them to give us the whole story about the journey of a stone and if they are not able to back up their claims of “ethics'' with sources or credentials, we won’t work with them. We source directly from local cutters and miners, when possible, which is one way to ensure ethical, responsible, and sustainable business practices. It takes time and diligence to find suppliers that we trust, but once we find them, we forge incredible relationships built on our shared values of transparency, accountability, and doing good.  Customized Square Cut Notched Mokume Ring Thank you for supporting responsible sourcing! Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!   The Pink Princess Cut Ring

Have you ever thought about getting a ring made out of wood or with wooden inlay? We have all the info for you to make the best decision about your work of art!   Are wooden rings durable? Do wooden rings last? Unfortunately wooden rings are not durable and will only last about a decade even with the highest standard of care. They are much more fragile than metal rings and should be worn with the utmost care. We have made rings in the past that have wooden inlay and do everything possible to make sure they will last as long as possible and give our clients all of the info below before they make the final decision about their rings. Unfortunately, wood rings do not hold up to our high standards for durability.  Can you get wood rings wet? Ideally you shouldn’t get your wood ring wet at all to maximize its durability and make sure your ring lasts for as long as possible.  How can I make my wood ring stronger? Making sure your ring has a metal liner is the best way to make your wood ring last for as long as possible. However the only downside to having a liner is that wood and metal have different thermal expansion rates so metal will move more or less than wood so these materials will want to pull apart over time. Having a liner is still a more durable option than just a wood ring alone. How thick should my wood ring be? Your ring should be at least 2mm thick and 1.5mm high for maximum durability.   How long can wood rings last? Wooden rings are not nearly as strong as metal and will only last for at most a decade. Their softness makes them prone to much more wear and tear than gold or platinum rings. There are certain things you can do to make your ring last for as long as possible. Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!   How can I make my wood ring last as long as possible? We recommend making your ring using a bentwood process rather than carving it from solid wood. Solid wood rings are carved out of a piece of wood wood, whereas bentwood rings are made out of very thin strips of wood inlayed into metal. This results in a more durable ring. Make sure your ring has a reliable protective coating (such as polyurethane, glue, epoxy, or another varnish) and is refinished as needed. Make sure your ring has a metal lining and ideally metal edges, minimizing the amount of wood exposed. Do not get your wood ring wet and remove the ring before swimming, showering, cleaning, gardening or any other activities that could submerge the ring or cause damage. Please be aware that many chemicals can damage the finish and the wood of the ring so be sure to remove it before handling any chemicals - even something like hand sanitizer will cause major damage to the finish of your ring. What wood should my wood ring be made of? We recommend a durable type of wood for your ring such as oak, maple, or cherry. Can I resize my wood ring? Rings with any type of inlay cannot be resized so make sure you have the correct size when you order your ring! You can order a ring sizer here. Please be aware that your ring size can change throughout the day and will change throughout the year and your life so your ring might fit at one point in time and not another.  Are there rings that look like wood but last a lifetime? Yes! We have great alternatives to wood rings that will last generations but give the gorgeous rustic look of a wooden ring. You can explore our woodgrain carved bands and mokume gane bands to find your perfect nature-inspired ring! Mokume gane will give you the look of a woodgrain ring but in metal the best. It translates from Japanese to “wood grain,” and is comprised of 25 layers of metal fused and twisted together to mimics the look of wood.

  Color: Montana sapphires come in a wide range of colors, including blues, teals, yellows, whites, and pinks.  In general, sapphires are found in nearly every color - except red because we call those rubies! Sapphires and rubies both belong to the corundum family of gemstones; the only difference is their color. Custom Montana Sapphire Mountain Ring   Our Sources: We love working with Montana sapphires because they are some of the most traceable gems in the world!  Our clients can be confident that the sapphires in their jewelry were mined, cut, and polished with the highest standards of human and environmental ethics in the mining industry. We are fortunate to have personal relationships with several miners from whom we source most of our Montana sapphires. We also source them from Fair Trade certified suppliers Columbia Gemhouse and Americut Gems. The Fairmined Montana Sapphire Hexagon Carved Solitaire   Stone Cutting: We know the full story of each new Montana sapphire we source. This includes how and where they are each cut and polished. One of the amazing miners with whom we work cuts and polishes the rough gemstones himself. The other sends his rough stones to a small family-run cutting operation in Sri Lanka. Columbia Gem House and Americut Gems both have their own cutting facilities in China and New Jersey, respectively. This ensures a high standard for both workers' rights and environmental protection.  Custom Birthstone Ring with three Montana Sapphires   More on Sapphires: Sapphires are the traditional birthstone for September. They are extremely durable - rated a 9 on the Mohs hardness scale - making them an ideal choice for everyday jewelry!  Sapphires have been treasured throughout history, holding cultural and symbolic significance all around the world. Sapphires can symbolize wisdom and creativity. These gemstones have long been associated with spirituality or religion and also with royalty. Some people believed that sapphires contained protective powers that would shield the wearer from danger. Others thought the stone had healing powers that could improve the wearer’s overall health and strength, facilitate healing, cure disease, and even act as an antidote for poisons.   The Rainbow Band features fifteen ethically sourced US-mined gemstones, including nine Montana sapphires   Our Commitment to Ethical Sourcing: W.R. Metalarts strives to know the full story of the materials we use in our jewelry. We are committed to supporting artisanal miners and mining communities, promoting healthy and safe working conditions, and avoiding environmentally destructive practices. We are dedicated to deepening our understanding and working to address the historical and ongoing harm of the jewelry industry on indigenous communities and communities of color all around the world. We do not claim to have all of the answers; we are constantly evaluating our practices as we gain a more nuanced understanding of our complex industry. Transparency is critical so that you, our clients and collaborators, can trust that we’ve done all we can to create the most beautiful jewelry - not just the end result, but beautiful at every step of the journey. The way that we back up these values is to do our homework, putting our suppliers through rigorous vetting processes. We don’t take our vendors at face value when they say a stone is “conflict-free” or “sustainable;” we push them to give us the whole story about the journey of a stone and if they are not able to back up their claims of “ethics'' with sources or credentials, we won’t work with them. We source directly from local cutters and miners, when possible, which is one way to ensure ethical, responsible, and sustainable business practices. It takes time and diligence to find suppliers that we trust, but once we find them, we forge incredible relationships built on our shared values of transparency, accountability, and doing good.       Thank you for supporting responsible sourcing!  Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!  

Color: Peridot comes in many shades of green, including chartreuse, deep grass, bright apple, and lighter lime greens.  Our Sources: We source our peridots from Mesa Verde, Arizona. Apache miners extract the mineral from Peridot Mesa in the San Carlos Reservation.  Stone Cutting: Our peridot supplier cuts peridot in their own Fair Trade cutting facility.    Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!   More on Peridot: Peridot is the traditional birthstone for August. Peridot comes from the mineral olivine and their vibrant green colors come from the iron in the stone. They are fairly durable, rated 6.5-7 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. As with all jewelry, we recommend storing peridot jewelry in a protective box by itself to prevent scratches or other damage. Avoid exposing your peridot to impact and ultrasonic cleaning. Instead, use a soft toothbrush and gentle dish soap to clean your peridot jewelry. Store peridot jewelry with care to avoid scratches.     The Rainbow Band features fifteen ethically sourced US-mined gemstones, including a light green Mesa Verde Peridot from Arizona     More on Our Commitment to Ethical and Sustainable Sourcing: W.R. Metalarts strives to know the full story of the materials we use in our jewelry. We are committed to supporting artisanal miners and mining communities, promoting healthy and safe working conditions, and avoiding environmentally destructive practices. We are dedicated to deepening our understanding and working to address the historical and ongoing harm of the jewelry industry on indigenous communities and communities of color all around the world. We do not claim to have all of the answers; we are constantly evaluating our practices as we gain a more nuanced understanding of our complex industry. Transparency is critical so that you, our clients and collaborators, can trust that we’ve done all we can to create the most beautiful jewelry - not just the end result, but beautiful at every step of the journey. The way that we back up these values is to do our homework, putting our suppliers through rigorous vetting processes. We don’t take our vendors at face value when they say a stone is “conflict-free” or “sustainable;” we push them to give us the whole story about the journey of a stone and if they are not able to back up their claims of “ethics'' with sources or credentials, we won’t work with them. We source directly from local cutters and miners, when possible, which is one way to ensure ethical, responsible, and sustainable sourcing, practices, and conditions. It takes time and diligence to find suppliers that we trust, but once we find them, we forge incredible relationships built on our shared values of transparency, accountability, and doing good.        Thank you for supporting responsible and sustainable sourcing!  Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!    

  Color: All rubies are red, yet each stone varies in shade and saturation. Stones range from deep, purplish reds to vibrant, bright reds to more pink or orange-tinted reds.     Stone Sources: Rubies can be found in several countries across Southeast Asia and Africa. Due to significant ethical issues associated with the ruby trade around the world, such as funding ethnic cleansing in Myanmar and human rights violations in Mozambique’s ruby mines, W.R. Metalarts is extremely cautious when it comes to sourcing rubies. We will not buy any rubies labeled “mixed origin,” meaning suppliers don’t know exactly where they were mined.Is it possible to source ethical rubies?Yes! If you have your heart set on a ruby, W.R. Metalarts can source one you can be proud of! The Nyala Ruby® is mined in the Chimwadzulu mine in Malawi. These Fairtrade Level 1 stones are 100% traceable back to this one mine, which adheres to strict Fair Trade Gems® standards for workers and the environment, and are cut in-house by our supplier. We can also source lab-grown rubies, which are chemically and visually identical to mined rubies, and are the most budget-friendly!     More on Rubies: Rubies are July’s birthstone and have traditionally been associated with 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries. Rubies belong to the corundum family of gemstones; they are identical to sapphires, except in color. Extremely hard and durable, rubies rate 9 out of 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Throughout history, people around the world have treasured the ruby. Some cultures associated it with power, wealth, safety, or good health. Others saw it as a symbol of love and passion. Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!        More on Our Commitment to Ethical and Sustainable Sourcing: W.R. Metalarts strives to know the full story of the materials we use in our jewelry. We are committed to supporting artisanal miners and mining communities, promoting healthy and safe working conditions, and avoiding environmentally destructive practices. We are dedicated to deepening our understanding and working to address the historical and ongoing harm of the jewelry industry on indigenous communities and communities of color all around the world. We do not claim to have all of the answers; we are constantly evaluating our practices as we gain a more nuanced understanding of our complex industry. Transparency is critical so that you, our clients and collaborators, can trust that we’ve done all we can to create the most beautiful jewelry - not just the end result, but beautiful at every step of the journey. The way that we back up these values is to do our homework, putting our suppliers through rigorous vetting processes. We don’t take our vendors at face value when they say a stone is “conflict-free” or “sustainable;” we push them to give us the whole story about the journey of a stone and if they are not able to back up their claims of “ethics'' with sources or credentials, we won’t work with them. We source directly from local cutters and miners, when possible, which is one way to ensure ethical, responsible, and sustainable sourcing, practices, and conditions. It takes time and diligence to find suppliers that we trust, but once we find them, we forge incredible relationships built on our shared values of transparency, accountability, and doing good.  Thank you for supporting responsible and sustainable sourcing!  Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!      

You may be dreaming of a multi-ring stack for yourself, for one partner or multiple - we're here for you! When it comes to pairing new bands with sparkling rings you already have or creating a complete stacking set from scratch, the possibilities are nearly endless! We’ve put together an illustrated guide to help you create the ring set of your dreams.  We honor and celebrate the diversity of relationship structures by asking and using our clients' language for each project we make. For brevity, we're using the terms 'engagement ring' and 'wedding band' throughout this blog, though we hope this guide is helpful for all types of multi-ring stacks! Straight Bands Straight bands, like our Classic Band or The Diamond Pavé Band, are a timeless stacking option. Engagement rings that have an elevated stone setting will allow these straight bands to slip right underneath, so both rings touch without a gap. Contour Bands     Contour bands are curved or angled to follow the silhouette of a solitaire or multi-stone ring, allowing multiple rings to stack closely together. These are the perfect companion to a low-set engagement ring. You may even choose to have more open space between the rings, adding another dimension to your stack. Nesting Bands     Nesting bands are the perfect option when you want the rings to fit very closely to each other. If your rings have a unique profile, such as our Notched or Olive Branch designs, nesting bands will fit into each other like puzzle pieces, leaving little to no gap between the rings. If we’re hand-casting your rings, we can achieve a closer alignment by creating both rings at the same time. If we’re designing your rings using CAD, we are easily able to create matched companion rings, long after the first ring has been made. Open Bands Open bands have a small gap in the top of the ring shank, which creates space for a stone or stone cluster to sit in between the two ends of the band. This is a great option to complement larger stone settings and they have a distinctive, modern look when worn on their own! Get in touch with us today to bring your dream ring stack to life by clicking the chat button on the bottom right corner of your screen!   Subscribe to our newsletter to get more tips and tricks for designing and buying the perfect jewelry! Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!    

Whether you’re looking for Father’s Day gifts for your dads, a birthday present for your stylish grandpa, an elopement memento for your dreamy partner, or a special treat for yourself, finding the perfect gift for the dapper people in your life is not always easy! We’ve put together this little gift guide to help.  Dapper: A style for folks of all genders who express themselves through a sophisticated masculine or androgynous look with comfort and confidence. The Dapper Line W.R. Metalarts founder Will is quite the dapper guy! His struggle to find elegant masculine jewelry options inspired The Dapper Line, a special collection designed for folx who identify as masculine, androgynous, non-binary, gender fluid, and anyone else who wants to be a bit more dashing and debonair!    Our talented metalsmiths Will, Vanessa, and Martin collaborated on this project, blending their individual perspectives and talents together with a shared passion for inclusion. They brought to life a collection that explores queer masculinity and the androgyny of classic masculine pieces with traditionally feminine elements, such as gemstones, intricate carvings, and delicate patterns. With elegant tie bars, ultra-wearable bracelets, and chic cufflinks, this genderless collection is sure to elevate even the most dapper ensemble!  Tie Bars Whether your special someone wears ties every day or just for special occasions, our one-of-a-kind, handcrafted tie bars are sure to spruce up their look! The Topography Tie Bar and The Mokume Stars Tie Bar flaunt intricate mokume designs, both created by hand-twisting layers of silver and copper together. A sterling silver backing complements each distinctive mokume pattern, creating a tie bar as original as its wearer!      Martin carves both The Mountain Air Tie Bar and The Steps to Mokume Tie Bar by hand before adding a piece of hand-twisted mokume gane, making each of these tie bars truly unique. These intricately carved tie bars are made of silver with mokume gane made of silver and copper.  The intricately carved designs on The Gilded Garnet Tie Bar and The Gilded Steps Tie Bar are also done entirely by hand. These striking tie bars are made in silver with 22k yellow gold plating over the carved areas. A 2mm round fiery Arizona garnet adorns the center of The Gilden Garnet Tie Bar, adding an extra luxurious touch.  Tie bars make beautiful wedding party gifts to show your friends, family, or partner how much you appreciate them supporting you on your special day. W.R. Metalarts can engrave a small date or name on the back of any of our tie bars upon request. Cuff Bracelets  The four cuff bracelets in this collection look stunning when paired with a coordinating tie bar or when worn on their own.  Each cuff is made of solid silver and incorporates mokume gane in the design in some way. Learn more about the ancient mokume gane technique here. The most versatile accessory on this list, cuff bracelets can dress up any outfit!    The Mountain Air Cuff is intricately carved by hand using a similar technique as The Mountain Air Tie Bar. To complement the carved silver, a piece of hand-twisted mokume gane adds a small rustic touch to this refined accessory. This bracelet measures 7mm wide.  All three of these Mokume Cuffs highlight the beautiful patterns Vanessa can create by twisting 25 layers of metal together. Due to the handcrafted nature of the mokume gane technique, no two cuffs are exactly alike!  The mokume’s star pattern takes center stage on The Mokume Stars Cuff. Backed by sterling silver, this bracelet measures 5mm wide. For those who favor a wider cuff, The Path of Stars Mokume Gane Wide Bracelet is perfection! The star-patterned mokume gane is inlaid onto a sterling silver cuff measuring 15mm wide. Looking to coordinate accessories between partners or among a small group, such as a wedding party? Both of these cuffs would tie together nicely (pun intended) with The Mokume Stars Tie Bar while honoring a diversity of personal styles.     Sleek silver edges surround the mokume gane on The Mokume Topography Cuff, which measures 15mm wide at its widest point and 4mm at its narrowest. For some of us at W.R. Metalarts, the wavy mokume pattern evokes fond memories of friends leaning in closely to study one topographical trail map on backpacking adventures. What do you see in this beautiful abstract design?   As with all W.R. Metalarts pieces, any of the cuffs can be adjusted for larger or smaller wrist sizes at no extra cost. Just send us a message with your order!      Cufflinks  It’s all about the little details! Handcrafted cufflinks are all you need to turn the Dapper Dial up to an 11.    Add a touch of dapper to your shirtsleeves with these one-of-a-kind cufflinks. The handcrafted Mokume Gane Hexagon Cufflinks add a subtle rustic element to any outfit. These cufflinks are made with hand-forged copper and silver mokume gane on a backplate of solid silver with silver bullet backs.   Perfect for an elegant adventurer, our charming compass cufflinks are hand carved out of solid gold or silver and accented with ethically-sourced gemstones. The Black Spinel Compass Cufflinks incorporate 2mm round black spinels from Australia while The Garnet Compass Cufflinks hold 2mm round garnets from Arizona. Measuring 13.5mm wide, a solid silver backplate with silver bullet backs completes each stylish piece.      Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!  

Recycled Gold vs. Newly Mined Gold You might have seen lots of jewelers (including us!) sharing that their work is made in 100% recycled metal. But what does this really mean? We hear it all the time: "reduce, reuse, recycle" so shouldn't recycled gold be the best option? Isn't it best to use existing gold that has already been mined rather than harm the planet to extract more? Read on to find out how a lot of "recycled" gold isn't really the gold standard in ethical sourcing... Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!   But recycled is baseline a good thing...right? Recycled gold may sound like it’s the most responsible option available; however, it really is the bare minimum for jewelers who care about the human and environmental impact of their trade.  The truth is that, because gold is so valuable - it has always been recycled! No one is going to throw away gold like they might with aluminum, paper, or other recyclable materials because it is infinitely reusable! Gold’s worth is not diminished by time or use. So it has always been recycled and much of the gold in circulation in the market today has been used many times before being used in your jewelry. And even if 100% of jewelers committed to only using recycled gold, the global demand for gold would stay the same! Most of the gold you could purchase is more than likely to be recycled gold even if it is not marketed as such. Only 2% of all gold ever mined is unaccounted for in the world and according to the USGS, "about 244,000 metric tons of gold has been discovered to date," which includes, "187,000 metric tons historically produced plus current underground reserves of 57,000 metric tons." To put that in perspective "all of the gold discovered thus far would fit in a cube that is 28 meters wide on every side." So, that leaves us wondering...if recycled gold is mostly the default standard of gold, then why is it presented like it is a conscious ethical choice companies are making? When we first started out as a business we thought recycled was the best way to go. Only after joining other metalsmithing communities, like Ethical Metalsmiths, did we begin to unpack the truth behind gold sourcing. By only using recycled gold, jewelers (like ourselves) tend to separate themselves from “dirty,” problematic mining processes. But recycled gold was mined at some point and, with clever marketing loopholes, that “recycled” gold may actually have been mined quite recently! What can I do about it? How do I make an ethical choice in my jewelry purchase? Choosing recycled gold definitely isn't a bad thing - it just might not be the strong ethical stance you have been told it is. There are plenty of great options out there to make sure your jewelry aligns with your values. You can use heirloom gold to create new pieces and remove yourself from the gold supply chain altogether or you can choose something like Fairmined gold for your work of art. Fairmined gold is certifiably sourced from small-scale mining organizations that are actively embracing responsible business, social, and environmental practices. It is newly-mined gold that directly supports local mining communities. The mining organizations and workers benefit from a guaranteed fair price plus a premium for the gold they provide, and the buyer benefits from full traceability and assurance that their precious metal is responsibly mined. With Fairmined gold, the entire journey of the metal is documented and certified: from the moment the gold is extracted from the ground to when it ends its journey in your piece! This guarantees the positive impact that your purchase makes on the communities that sourced your metal. Fairmined gold purchases also contribute to the preservation of natural resources and the positive development of miners and their families - creating ripple effects of impact that influence more and more miners to get certified and more brands in the market to support and provide Fairmined gold. Up to this point, we have been choosing to only use recycled gold in our work. We are now introducing our own Fairmined initiative because we want to do more to support the small-scale miners directly. By utilizing the purchasing power of the jewelry industry to improve the mining industry, we will have a greater positive impact on mining communities and our planet than ‘opting out’ of the issue. Ethical, transparent sourcing is at the core of our business, so we’re working to level up from the status quo. Investing in Fairmined Gold is deeply aligned with our values, which is why we’re thrilled to announce our Fairmined Collections!  How is Fairmined gold certified?  Fairmined Gold is certified through a rigorous third-party investigation and audit system run through The Alliance for Responsible Mining. This system ensures that the mining organizations meet the highest standards for responsible mining when sourcing their gold. Who started the Fairmined gold initiative?  The Alliance for Responsible Mining developed the Fairmined Standard, which prioritizes positive social impacts and responsible environmental practices in small-scale gold mining.  Who does Fairmined gold support? By choosing Fairmined gold, you support small-scale mining organizations instead of large corporations (who control most of the recycled gold market). Your choice of Fairmined directly contributes to the workers sourcing your gold getting a fair price for their hard work as well as an additional premium to invest in the improvement of their operations, support of their communities, and stewardship of the environment. Artisanal and small-scale mining is responsible for 20% of the world’s gold extraction, yet employs 90% of the workers involved in gold-extraction - nearly 20 million miners working in 80 countries around the world that often face hazardous working conditions including significant mercury exposure to themselves and their communities in addition to not being fairly compensated for their work. Is W.R. Metalarts Fairmined certified? Yes we are! We still sell recycled gold as not all of our pieces can be made in Fairmined gold at this time, and we always like to provide our clients with every option for their projects. Now that we are licensed to offer Fairmined gold we are so excited to offer it as an option for your projects!  Why is Fairmined gold more expensive?  Fairmined Gold is slightly more expensive than recycled gold as it takes more time, energy, and coordination to source. It also guarantees fair wages to the workers who sourced it whereas other gold was sourced by miners paid criminally low wages. Paying a premium for Fairmined Gold ensures that we are knowledgeable and proud of the full story of our materials! We want to invest in the communities that are providing the raw materials we need to create unique fine jewelry that will be treasured for generations. We are committed to transforming the jewelry industry, including the precious metals sectors. Businesses have a responsibility to use their purchasing power to incentivize responsible and sustainable mining practices. Financially supporting this movement will bring about significant, long-term structural change. Your purchase matters and you can make a direct and measurable impact on small-scale mining communities world-wide by choosing Fairmined for your piece! Sources and Resources: What is Fairmined? The Alliance for Responsible Mining promotes responsible gold sourcing  Is recycled gold an ethical choice? - ARM  Ethical Gold: Fairmined vs. Recycled Gold  Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!  

    Color: Colors range widely within the blue to blue-green spectrum, including pale blues, frosty blues, seafoam greens, and deeper greenish-blues Our Sources: We source Aquamarines from Maine, New Hampshire, Colorado, Malawi, Madagascar, and other countries around the world. The Fairmined New Hampshire Aquamarine Emerald-Cut Carved Solitaire   Stone Cutting: We generally source pre-cut gemstones. For stones sourced outside of the US, we look for suppliers who employ stone cutters in the same region where the stones are mined.   Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!     More on Aquamarines:  Aquamarines are March’s birthstone! They are rated 7.5-8 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, making them hard and durable enough to wear everyday. Aquamarines are a part of the Beryl gemstone family, which includes Emeralds, Goshenites, Morganites, and Heliodors. The Aquamarine Pendant More on Our Commitment to Ethical and Sustainable Sourcing: W.R. Metalarts strives to know the full story of the materials we use in our jewelry. We are committed to supporting artisanal miners and mining communities, promoting healthy and safe working conditions, and avoiding environmentally destructive practices. We are dedicated to deepening our understanding and working to address the historical and ongoing harm of the jewelry industry on indigenous communities and communities of color all around the world. We do not claim to have all of the answers; we are constantly evaluating our practices as we gain a more nuanced understanding of our complex industry. Transparency is critical so that you, our clients and collaborators, can trust that we’ve done all we can to create the most beautiful jewelry - not just the end result, but beautiful at every step of the journey. The way that we back up these values is to do our homework, putting our suppliers through rigorous vetting processes. We don’t take our vendors at face value when they say a stone is “conflict-free” or “sustainable;” we push them to give us the whole story about the journey of a stone and if they are not able to back up their claims of “ethics'' with sources or credentials, we won’t work with them. We source directly from local cutters and miners, when possible, which is one way to ensure ethical, responsible, and sustainable sourcing, practices and conditions. It takes time and diligence to find suppliers that we trust, but once we find them, we forge incredible relationships built on our shared values of transparency and doing good. Through direct relationships, ongoing assessment, and accountability we continue to strengthen and develop these practices and the demands for them.  The Mokume Gane Square-Cut Maine Aquamarine Solitaire   Thank you for supporting responsible and sustainable sourcing!  Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!      

There are many different metals to consider when designing or shopping for your special piece of jewelry.  Whether color, durability, sourcing, or cost is most important to you, we’ve put together a little guide to help you choose the best metal for you or the significant people in your life!  A note on lingo: Karat (abbreviated as k) indicates the purity of the gold. Pure gold without any other metals mixed in is 24 karat (k) gold. Pure 24k gold is way too soft to use in everyday jewelry so metalsmiths use gold alloys that combine pure gold with other metals! Not only does this increase durability, but it also affects the color of the metal. 14k gold means the alloy is 14/24 parts (or 58.33%) gold and 41.67% other metals. 18k gold means the alloy is 18/24 parts (75%) gold and 25% other metals. None of our jewelry is plated so you can expect your rings to look the same on your 50th anniversary as they did on your wedding day! White Metals There are several beautiful options when it comes to white metals! We design our jewelry to be worn every day for decades or more! For this reason, we do not make or recommend silver rings, which are likely to bend, scratch, and tarnish over time. If white or silver-toned jewelry is your jam, here are our favorite choices:  14k White Gold   $  14k white gold is 58.33% gold alloyed with copper, nickel, and zinc Most affordable of the white metals we use Brightest white color of all the metals because of its nickel content  14k white gold is harder than the other golds, which makes it more durable and scratch-resistant compared to yellow or rose gold, but it may also make delicate prongs more brittle Not the best choice for someone with nickel allergies or metal sensitivities  Certified Fairmined 14k white gold is available! 14k White Gold Classic Band - Matte Finish 18k White Gold 18k white gold is 75% gold alloyed with nickel, copper, and zinc Bright, warm white color  18k white gold is softer than the other white metals 18k gold is more valuable - and more expensive - than 14k gold Certified Fairmined 18k white gold is available! Palladium White Gold   $ $ 14k or 18k palladium white gold is an alloy of gold with palladium, silver, copper, and zinc Grayish-white gray color, with a warmer tone than platinum  This alloy is nickel-free, making it a great choice for someone with a nickel allergy!  Palladium white gold is a little pricier than standard white gold but less expensive than platinum! 14k Palladium White Gold Classic Band - Matte Finish Platinum   $ $ $ Platinum is the purest precious metal available, made of 90-95% pure platinum Cooler, lighter gray color Very strong and durable! Platinum is also a little heavier than gold Hypoallergenic - this is the best choice for people who are sensitive to other metals  Platinum is more expensive than 14k or 18k gold Platinum Flat Band - Matte Finish & Platinum Diamond Pavé Band - Polished Finish   The Textured Band in 14k White Gold and Platinum Yellow Metals We love the classic look of yellow gold!  When paired with diamonds or other white stones, the contrast of the warm tone gives the gemstone an extra sparkly pop! You have several options when it comes to yellow metals:   14k Yellow Gold   $ 14k yellow gold is 58.33% gold alloyed with copper, silver, and zinc  Bright golden color  Very strong and durable!  Nickel-free alloy is great for those with nickel sensitivities Most affordable yellow metal option Certified Fairmined 14k yellow gold is available! 14k Yellow Gold Classic Bands - Matte Finish 18k Yellow Gold   $ $  18k yellow gold is 75% gold alloyed with silver, copper, and zinc  Bright, vivid golden color; 18k has a deeper luster than 14k yellow gold 18k is softer than 14k gold, which makes it somewhat less durable; intricate details may soften or fade over time Nickel-free alloy may work for those with metal sensitivities 18k gold is more valuable - and more expensive - than 14k gold! Certified Fairmined 18k yellow gold is available! 18k Yellow Gold Classic Bands - Matte Finish 18k Royal Yellow Gold   $ $  18k royal yellow gold is 75% gold alloyed with silver, copper, and zinc  This alloy combination creates a yellow-green tint, giving the appearance of 22k yellow gold with the strength and price of 18k gold  Not yet available as Certified Fairmined gold Custom 18k Royal Yellow Gold Diamond Ring Other Metals to Consider W.R. Metalarts is able to source metals beyond platinum and white and yellow gold, including pure palladium and 14k peach or 14k green gold!  By far, the most common alternative to the more traditional metals is rose gold:  14k Rose Gold   $       14k rose gold is 58.33% gold alloyed with copper and a small amount of silver and zinc  Deep rose pink color; richer color than 18k rose gold because of the alloy’s copper content Strong and durable!  Nickel-free  Certified Fairmined 18k rose gold is available! 14k Rose Gold Flat Band - Matte Finish & 14k Rose Gold Classic Band - Polished Finish 18k Rose Gold   $ $       18k rose gold is 75% gold alloyed with copper and a small amount of silver and zinc  Pale pink color; lighter color than 14k rose gold because of its greater gold to copper ratio in the alloy Nickel-free Just as with the other colors of gold, 18k rose gold is a little softer than 14k rose gold Custom 18k Rose Gold Emerald Cut Peach Morganite Solitaire   Mokume Gane If you love the look of multiple metals together, Mokume Gane might be the perfect option for you! Mokume is a traditional Japanese metalworking technique that layers different types of metal together to create one-of-a-kind patterns. To learn more about Mokume, check out this blog post!  Bimetal Mokume  $ $ $ 14k Palladium White Gold, Sterling Silver Bimetal Mokume Gane 14k Rose Gold, Sterling Silver Bimetal Mokume Gane 18k Royal Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver Bimetal Mokume Gane Trimetal Mokume  $ $ $ 14k Rose Gold, 14k Palladium White Gold, Sterling Silver Trimetal Mokume Gane 18k Royal Yellow Gold, 14k Palladium White Gold, Sterling Silver Trimetal Mokume Gane Which metal is your favorite?  We hope this blog has helped you to decide which metals you’d like to use in your own project!  If you love more than one metal, we can get creative about incorporating multiple materials into one piece!  Custom Trimetal Twist Ring with 14k Rose, 14k White, and 14k Yellow Gold Customized Mokume Gane Raindrop Band with 14k Gold Rails If you’re still not sure, we would love to chat with you about what’s most important to you to help you choose the best materials for you! Get in touch with us to start designing the jewelry of your dreams by clicking the chat button on the button right corner of your screen!  Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!  

The W.R. Metalarts Fairmined Initiative Ethical and transparent sourcing is at the core of everything we do at W.R. Metalarts! Over the past year, we have been deepening our relationships with gemstone and precious metals suppliers that share these values and are dedicated to knowing the full story of our raw materials. In celebration of our commitment to ethical sourcing, we’re so excited to announce our newest catalog additions - Earth to Hand Solitaires: A Fairmined Collection! This collection represents the pinnacle of ethical sourcing using only gemstones mined in the United States set in beautiful Fairmined gold.  Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!   What is Fairmined gold?  Fairmined gold is certifiably sourced from small-scale mining organizations that are actively embracing responsible business, social, and environmental practices. It is newly-mined gold that directly supports local mining communities. The mining organizations and workers benefit from a guaranteed fair price plus a premium for the gold they provide, and the buyer benefits from full traceability and assurance that their precious metal is responsibly mined! With Fairmined gold, the entire journey of the metal is documented and certified: from the moment the gold is extracted from the ground to when it ends its journey in your piece! This guarantees the positive impact that your purchase makes on the communities that sourced your metal. Fairmined gold purchases also contribute to the preservation of natural resources and the positive development of miners and their families - creating ripple effects of impact that influence more and more miners to get certified and more brands in the market to support and provide Fairmined gold! How is Fairmined gold certified?  Fairmined Gold is certified through a rigorous third-party investigation and audit system run through The Alliance for Responsible Mining. This system ensures that the mining organizations meet the highest standards for responsible mining when sourcing their gold. Who started the Fairmined gold initiative?  The Alliance for Responsible Mining developed the Fairmined Standard, which prioritizes positive social impacts and responsible environmental practices in small-scale gold mining.  Why should I choose Fairmined gold over recycled gold?  Recycled gold may sound like it’s the most responsible option available; however, it really is the bare minimum for jewelers who care about the human and environmental impact of their trade. Because gold is so valuable - it has always been recycled! No one is going to throw away gold like they might with aluminum, paper, or other recyclable materials because it is infinitely reusable! Gold’s worth is not diminished by time or use.  In fact, most of the gold you could purchase is more than likely to be recycled gold even if it is not marketed as such. Only 2% of all gold ever mined is unaccounted for in the world. And even if 100% of jewelers committed to only using recycled gold, the global demand for gold would stay the same! By only using recycled gold, jewelers (like ourselves) tend to separate themselves from “dirty,” problematic mining processes. But recycled gold was mined at some point and, with clever marketing loopholes, that “recycled” gold may actually have been mined quite recently! Up to this point, we have been choosing to only use recycled gold in our work. We are now introducing our own Fairmined initiative because we want to do more to support the small-scale miners directly. By utilizing the purchasing power of the jewelry industry to improve the mining industry, we will have a greater positive impact on mining communities and our planet than ‘opting out’ of the issue. Ethical, transparent sourcing is at the core of our business, so we’re working to level up from the status quo. Investing in Fairmined Gold is deeply aligned with our values, which is why we’re thrilled to announce our Fairmined Collections!  Who does Fairmined gold support? By choosing Fairmined gold, you support small-scale mining organizations instead of large corporations (who control most of the recycled gold market). Your choice of Fairmined directly contributes to the workers sourcing your gold getting a fair price for their hard work as well as an additional premium to invest in the improvement of their operations, support of their communities, and stewardship of the environment. Artisanal and small-scale mining is responsible for 20% of the world’s gold extraction, yet employs 90% of the workers involved in gold-extraction - nearly 20 million miners working in 80 countries around the world that often face hazardous working conditions including significant mercury exposure to themselves and their communities in addition to not being fairly compensated for their work. Is W.R. Metalarts Fairmined certified? Yes we are! We still sell recycled gold as not all of our pieces can be made in Fairmined gold at this time, and we always like to provide our clients with every option for their projects. Now that we are licensed to offer Fairmined gold we are so excited to offer it as an option for your projects!  Why is Fairmined gold more expensive?  Fairmined Gold is slightly more expensive than recycled gold as it takes more time, energy, and coordination to source. It also guarantees fair wages to the workers who sourced it whereas other gold was sourced by miners paid criminally low wages. Paying a premium for Fairmined Gold ensures that we are knowledgeable and proud of the full story of our materials! We want to invest in the communities that are providing the raw materials we need to create unique fine jewelry that will be treasured for generations. We are committed to transforming the jewelry industry, including the precious metals sectors. Businesses have a responsibility to use their purchasing power to incentivize responsible and sustainable mining practices. Financially supporting this movement will bring about significant, long-term structural change. Your purchase matters and you can make a direct and measurable impact on small-scale mining communities world-wide by choosing Fairmined for your piece! Sources and Resources: What is Fairmined? The Alliance for Responsible Mining promotes responsible gold sourcing  Is recycled gold an ethical choice? - ARM  Ethical Gold: Fairmined vs. Recycled Gold  Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!  

Diamond sourcing at W.R. Metalarts   Curious about where diamonds come from? Wondering which kind of diamond is right for your jewelry? Don't worry, we've got plenty of ethical choices lined up so you can pick the perfect fit for your project. Let's dive into the different ways diamonds make their way to you - that way you can choose the one that fits best with your values.   Ethically Sourced Natural Diamonds Option 1: Transparently sourced, artisanally mined diamonds At W.R. Metalarts, our preference is to source natural diamonds from ethical small-scale artisanal diamond initiatives. Some such initiatives include Root Diamond and Ethos Diamonds.  It is important to us to buy diamonds outright from these sources, instead of waiting until the stone is purchased by one of our clients to relay payment to the initiative (which is common in the industry). We think of transparently sourced artisanal diamonds as the pinnacle of ethical diamonds, because they actually create a positive direct impact for miners rather than a negative or neutral impact.  Option 2: Heirloom, reclaimed, or recycled diamonds  Whether you call them heirloom diamonds, reclaimed diamonds, or recycled diamonds, all of these terms just mean that the stone has come out of previously-made jewelry. One great thing about this option is that they hold the value of a newly sourced natural diamond but they are not newly mined. We use post-consumer certified recycled stones for recycled options, or family stones brought to us by clients. This option is a nice choice if you want to make sure that the diamond you are using for your project has not recently been sourced in an exploitative way.  The downside to this option is that we are unable to guarantee that recycled stones have been ethically sourced initially. These diamonds could have been unethically sourced or could've been sourced in a way that was damaging to the environment or exploitative to the people who worked to bring it to you. Using reclaimed stones does not actually create a positive impact.  We try to combat participating in the continued exploitation of workers in the diamond recycling market by utilizing our internal recycling program at the studio. We will trade clients heirloom stones for a credit towards their project and from this we have built up a beautiful library of recycled stones that are looking for new homes in your beautiful project! Option 3: Known-origin newly mined diamonds If you are looking for a newly mined natural diamond, especially a smaller stone - then Canadian mined diamonds could be a good choice for you. We source our newly mined diamonds (including salt & pepper diamonds) from Canada because this is the best option we have found in terms of ethical and sustainable sourcing, even though there is still a long way to go.  Though Canadian diamonds are largely traceable with excellent quality, it is true that Canadian mines have created some of the worst mining and land rights issues, so there is potential for Canadian-mined diamonds to contribute to negative impact. One issue that stands with these stones is that there are more "Canadian-mined" stones in the diamond market than have actually been mined in Canada. As a business we push our suppliers to validate their sourcing claims and encourage others to do the same. A note on “conflict-free” diamonds It is important to know that the “conflict-free” diamond certification only applies to rough diamonds, not the beautifully cut diamonds that make their way into finished jewelry. We don't believe that conflict-free certifications go far enough to ensure the ethics of our diamonds so we go beyond sourcing stones that are "conflict free." This certification only means that a company has had to prove that profits have not gone to fund civil war activities in certain conflict regions---it does not ensure safe working conditions, fair wages, or safe and sustainable environmental practices. Another growing concern are the labor abuses that take place in large stone cutting factories worldwide, which conflict free certifications do not regulate.   Lab-grown Diamonds Lab-grown diamonds are chemically identical to natural diamonds, but they are more affordable and can even be of higher quality than natural diamonds. We typically source our lab-grown diamonds from Stuller, who has a GIA facility in-house to help with verification and testing.  The downside to lab-grown diamonds is that the source is usually unknown, especially now that most US-based lab-grown diamond factories have closed. This means that we can’t always verify where the diamond came from or what conditions are like in the factory. Also, lab-grown diamonds also tend to be shipped all over the world before reaching the client, which has negative environmental implications.  Overall, we view lab-grown diamonds as less ethical or transparent than artisanally mined natural diamonds with known-origin. If you want to learn more about lab-grown diamonds, check out our 'All about Lab-Grown Stones' Blog Other Special Diamonds For colorful diamonds, black diamonds, and other specialized stones, we source through certified conflict-free sources - unfortunately we haven't found a more ethical option for these stones yet. If you have specific sourcing preferences for your project just let us know and we can make sure it is a top priority for your project!   Get in touch with us today to bring your dream project to life with the perfect diamond by clicking the chat button on the bottom right of your screen! Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!  

We were super lucky to experience the renowned Tucson Gem show for the first time in-person this year and we are so excited to share what we learned with you! Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!   What is the Tucson Gem Show? (and why did we go this year…)  The Tucson Gem Show is not actually one show, but a vast array of shows that span the city for over three weeks! Suppliers from around the world converge to celebrate and sell a multitude of gems, minerals, and fossils. We were most excited to attend the Ethical Gem Fair - a four day event sponsored by our friends at the Ethical Gem Suppliers  collaborative. We’ve spent the past several years working closely with many of these like-minded folx on Ethical Metalsmith Zoom meetings, Webinars or through their online stores and we were honored to connect in person! Not only was it thrilling to be around so many passionate gemstone enthusiasts, we were also energized by seeing and feeling so many beautiful gemstones in real life!  The Ethical Gem Fair brings together gemstone suppliers focused on responsible sourcing, with jewelry designers from large and small businesses who are all committed to environmental and social ethics at every point along the supply chain. While we’ve already been working with many of these suppliers - such as Columbia Gem House, Moyo Gems, VirtuGem, and others - it was amazing to actually meet these partners, find new ethical gemstone sources, and see so many beautiful stones in real life! Each of these suppliers were excited to answer questions and share each gemstone’s origin story. The ability of these suppliers to trace the complete story of a stone, from where it was mined, to who mined it, who cut it, and whose hands it passed through all the way to the gem show was incredible. Many of these suppliers buy rough gemstones directly from the miners and work to support local artisans who cut and polish the stones near the mines. They support the local mining communities with projects and programs chosen by the people that live there and we are so excited to work with more direct suppliers like Moyo Gems and VirtuGem in the future! What is Ethical Jewelry?  ‘Ethical jewelry’ has become a bit of a buzzword that has, unfortunately, become a fixture of many greenwashing campaigns in the jewelry industry. Because this term is at the core of our values rather than merely a marketing strategy at W.R. Metalarts, we are going to define what Ethical Jewelry means to us. We believe in informed transparency about all of our materials’ sources. We are committed to supporting artisanal miners and mining communities, promoting healthy and safe working conditions, and avoiding environmentally destructive practices. We are committed to deepening our understanding and working to address the historical and ongoing harm of the jewelry industry on indigenous communities and communities of color all around the world. We do not claim to have all of the answers; we are constantly evaluating our practices as we gain a more nuanced understanding of our complex industry. We believe transparency is critical so that you, our clients, can trust that we’ve done all we can to create the most beautiful jewelry - not just the end result, but beautiful at every step of the journey.  The way that we back up these values to ensure that you, our client and collaborator, have as much information available to you as possible is to put our suppliers through thorough vetting processes. We don’t take our suppliers at face value when they say a stone is “ethical” or “sustainable” we push a supplier to give us the whole story about the journey of a stone and if they are not able to back up their claims of “ethics'' with sources or credentials, we won’t work with them. It’s difficult to find suppliers who we trust completely but once we find them, we forge incredible relationships built on our shared values of transparency and doing good. Knowing the story of a gemstone - what we learned! Attending the Gem Shows in Tucson allowed us to make new connections, deepen existing relationships, expand our knowledge, and level up our capacity to offer stunning ethically and sustainably sourced gemstones to all of our clients. We teamed up with some of our like-minded designer friends to tackle critical conversations with suppliers within and beyond the Ethical Gem Fair. Some suppliers were honest about not knowing the origin of their stones. Many suppliers make claims about the origins of their stones, but are vague when pushed to back up these claims, trusting word-of-mouth or their long-standing relationship with one individual towards the end of the supply chain. By asking questions about the origins of traditionally-mined gemstones, we aim to push the industry to consider the human and environmental impact of our trade, proving there is a market for ethically sourced gemstones. We also found a few new suppliers that were able to answer the tough sourcing questions, including one Montana-based miner who sells his own sapphires at the show every year! The best part... what we brought home!   We’re excited to work with our clients to find a special stone that fits your own story, whether that has to do with the geographical source of the stone, a specific color, or one that aligns to your values. Start your custom project with your dream gemstone today!  Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!  

We are always getting asked: can you use my old jewelry to make something new? And our answer is YES! At W.R. Metalarts, we’re constantly striving to strengthen our sustainability practices and reduce the environmental impact of our industry. One of the ways we do this is with our internal recycling program, where we upcycle precious metals, diamonds, and gemstones from heirloom pieces into new works of art!    Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!     How Can I Repurpose My Heirloom Jewelry? Perhaps you inherited your grandmother’s vintage earrings but they are just collecting dust in a drawer, unworn because they aren’t your style. Or maybe you wore your favorite ring to the gym and bent it while breaking your personal bench press record. Whatever your circumstances, W.R. Metalarts would love to work with you to transform your heirlooms into something new and create an updated piece of jewelry that you’re excited to wear! Our experienced metalsmiths are able to carefully deconstruct your special jewelry and then incorporate your gold, diamonds, and gemstones into a new custom or customized design! This is a great way to honor your memories and preserve the significance of the original jewelry. We love reimagining heirlooms so much, we’ve already written a whole blog about it!  Can I Trade-In My Metal and Gemstones for Credit? Upcycling heirlooms isn’t the only way W.R. Metalarts recycles! Recycling clients’ materials – whether in their own project or somebody else’s – is one way WRM reduces our environmental footprint. We happily give credit for the value of the platinum, gold, gemstones, or diamonds in your personal jewelry, even if you are not using those materials in your own project. You can apply this credit to your new project while feeling warm and fuzzy knowing your jewelry will get a new life in somebody else’s dream ring!  Can I Make New Jewelry out of Recycled Materials? Everyone can participate in our internal recycling program, whether you have jewelry to repurpose or not! WRM is committed to ethical and sustainable sourcing for all of our materials. All of the metal we use is either recycled or Fairmined. Our recycling program goes beyond precious metals; we have an inventory of vintage stones from clients’ heirloom jewelry. Incorporating these beautiful gems and diamonds into your project is one way we can bring your sparkly vision into reality! Besides being eco-friendly, recycled gemstones are also more affordable! How Can I Recycle My Old Jewelry? We love transforming jewelry that is no longer worn into something new that will continue to bring joy for years to come! Let us know if you’re excited about upcycling an heirloom, turning unworn jewelry into credit, or using recycled gold or stones in your own new project by using the chat button on the bottom right of your screen. We would be honored to help you bring your ideas to life!   Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!    

We have some exciting news...we have a new collection!! Meet the Dapper Line! A collection filled with cufflinks, tie bars, and ultra-wearable bracelets. Any of these pieces will turn your classic suit into a whole new sophisticated look!  Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!     This collection began when Will was searching for elegant masculine jewelry pieces and came to life with the intention of celebrating positive masculinity and all things debonair! Why Dapper? Dapper: A style for folks of all genders who express themselves through a sophisticated masculine or androgynous look with comfort and confidence. This collection explores queer masculinity, and the androgyny of traditional masculine pieces with feminine elements (such as gemstones, intricate carvings, and delicate patterns). Our three metalsmiths, Will, Vanessa, and Martin, came together in the creation of this line to showcase their talents in metalwork and passion for the representation of all identities and styles in our work. This non-traditional collection is meant to elevate accessories for those that identify as more masculine, non-binary, gender fluid, dapper, androgynous, or just anyone who wants to be a bit more dashing and debonair. What is in this collection? From cufflinks, to tie bars, to cuff bracelets this genderless collection has pieces that are created to elevate any debonair look. Who is this collection for?This collection is for all folks who exemplify positive masculinity in any and all forms and want to accessorize their look. And any piece from this collection makes the PERFECT gift for someone looking to level up their tie, cuffs, or general look in a debonair way.   Shop the Dapper Line today!