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Pedro Calderon de la Barca once said, “Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises.” Now, this is a color we can get on board with! Green is the color of life and nature and we absolutely love to incorporate it into our pieces at W.R. Metalarts. Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!     Here are some of our favorite green stones to work with... Peridot  Peridot can also be referred to as chrysolite. It is a stunning green gemstone that is considered to have the coloring of spring grass. It ranks at a 6.5-7 on the Mohs Hardness Scale making it a wonderful and durable stone to incorporate into your next jewelry piece such as a pendant!  Sapphire  As we’ve discussed in our other gemstone blogs, sapphires can be found in virtually every color… including (you guessed it) green! Green sapphires are extremely vibrant in hue and can range from a deep emerald to a light seafoam. Sapphires are extremely resilient (rated a 9 on the Mohs Hardness Scale) and absolutely stunning. We love working with Montana sapphires especially because we can ensure that they are sourced to the highest standards of ethics and sustainability in the mining industry. Sapphires symbolize wisdom and creativity making them a perfect stone for the creative in your life!      Tourmaline Tourmaline can also be found in a wide variety of colors. Green tourmaline, which is also known as Verdelite, is widely known for its supposed healing properties. It is thought to bring a flow of wholesome energy to the wearer! Excuse us while we wear tourmaline every day... Emerald When thinking of green stones, emerald is generally the first stone that comes to mind.  Emeralds are stunning, elegant stones that make the perfect accent or spotlight to any jewelry piece. They score a 7.5-8 on the Mohs Hardness Scale and are a variety of Beryl along with aquamarine. Emeralds often have inclusions when not created in a lab but that just makes them all the more unique!   Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!  

Pearl Color: We work with white to cream colored pearls mostly but they come in beautiful pinks, greens, and blacks as well. Our Sources: We source our pearls from Columbia Gem House which is known for its practices in fair trade and sustainability. We also use recycled pearls from our internal recycling program!  Stone Cutting: This natural “gemstone” is uncut and sourced in its natural state.   Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!     More on Pearls: We absolutely love working with Pearls! Pearls are an organic gemstone that are created by oysters and mussels. They can be formed by either freshwater mussels - which produce more organic shapes in a beautiful cream color, or saltwater oysters which produce the traditional round iridescent white pearls. Pearls are believed to bring good fortune, luck, and prosperity to the wearer. More on Our Commitment to Ethical and Sustainable Sourcing: We go beyond sourcing stones that are "conflict free" because we view the certification as problematic in several ways. First of all, it excludes small family mining and refining businesses that are unable to afford the certification, but who are producing excellent products by putting their money into paying their employees and ensuring safe conditions rather than paying the costly fee for certification (if you are familiar with the challenges of "organic farming" certifications in the US, this is a similar phenomenon). Second, the "conflict-free" certification only means that 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.  We find that sourcing directly from local cutters and miners is the best way to insure ethical, responsible and sustainable sourcing, practices and conditions.  Through direct relationships, ongoing assessment and accountability we continue to strengthen and develop these practices and the demands for them.   Thank you for supporting responsible and sustainable sourcing!  It is truly an honor!    Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!    

 The color yellow represents energy, joy, and happiness. It is a warming color that is sure to brighten anyone's day. With these amazing qualities, who wouldn’t want yellow stones in every jewelry piece?    Subscribe to our newsletter to know whenever we post another blog! Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!     Here are some of our favorite yellow stones to work with… Yellow Sapphires As we’ve talked about in our other rainbow stone guide posts, sapphires come in virtually every color. Sapphires are amazing when it comes to both their resilience and beauty.  We love working with Montana sapphires especially because we can ensure that they are sourced to the highest standards of ethics and sustainability in the mining industry. Sapphires symbolize wisdom and creativity making them a perfect stone for the creative in your life!  Yellow Beryl   Yellow beryl is also known as heliodore. It is a member of the beryl family like aquamarine, emerald, and morganite. It is a more affordable alternative to yellow sapphires but is equally as stunning! Yellow beryl ranges from pale yellow to golden in hue and we often source these stunning stones from New Hampshire. Sunstones The Oregon sunstone is a stunning gemstone that comes in varieties of red, orange, and you guessed it... yellow! It is regarded as a stone of optimism and goodwill (and who doesn’t need more of that?).    Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!    

The 4c’s of Diamonds and What They Mean Choosing the perfect ring design is hard enough and picking the right stone can make the process even more daunting. You might know you want a diamond but then start looking at buying one and be confronted with “The Four C’s” - what are they? What does clarity in a diamond mean? How expensive is a 1ct diamond? Don’t fret! We’re going to break down the 4Cs for you to create the ultimate diamond buying guide.   And don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more tips in your inbox!   Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!     The 4Cs stand for: cut, color, clarity, and carat. Let's break them down… Cut     Cut is the only aspect of the 4Cs that is not determined by nature. It impacts how light will reflect off of and refract within the stone. This quality largely determines the brilliance, sparkle, or “fire” of the diamond. According to GIA (Gemological Institute of America), the cut of a diamond is rated as Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor.  If you are curious about what shapes a stone can come in here is another helpful blog for you! Color     Diamonds follow a D-Z scale when it comes to coloring. D, the highest rating, is completely colorless and Z has a yellow hue. Most of the diamonds we source fall under D-J in grade (unless you are looking for a colorful stone!). Having a diamond that has D coloring is often more expensive, but it is important to remember that color is based completely on preference and does not indicate quality whatsoever. Clarity    Clarity refers to the number of imperfections otherwise known as inclusions that are present within a diamond. The GIA grading scale rates clarity from IF (flawless) to I (included). The scale is as follows: (IF) flawless, (VVS1) very very slightly included 1, (VVS2) very very slightly included 2, (VS1) very slightly included 1, (VS2) very slightly included 2, (SI1) slightly included 1, (SI2) slightly included 2, (I1) included 1, (I2) included 2, (I3) included 3. You can find a helpful chart with examples of each of these below. A stone doesn’t need to be completely flawless to appear clear to the human eye too! You can get a beautiful stone and save a bit as well if you choose a stone that is anywhere from VVS1 to VS2. Carat       Congratulations! You made it to the last of the 4Cs… carat! Carat refers to the actual weight of the diamond. So it is not a measurement of dimensions as many might think. One carat converts to around .2 grams (which for those of you who are equally as confused by the metric system that equates to about the weight of a paperclip). Carat and cost are directly correlated meaning the higher the carat, the more expensive the diamond will be. We hope this quick diamond buying guide will help you in your search for the perfect ring! Make sure to check out our other blogs to learn more about different types of stones too (especially this one if you are looking for alternatives to a diamond)!   Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!      

There are an endless number of ways to cut gemstones to suit design styles, bring out the most sparkle, and get the most saturation of color. We especially love working with our stone cutters to get custom cuts for our designs but here is an assortment of shape possibilities that gemstones can be cut into.    Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!     The Rounds:    The classic brilliant round is often the best way to cut a stone to maximize its sparkle. Round stones can have fewer facets (like the leftmost stone) or more facets (like the rightmost stone). The bottom of these stones is pointed so this is the classic diamond shape.   The Rose Cut:   This is another round cut but with a very different faceting pattern from traditional brilliant rounds. This style of stone cut has a rounded geometric pattern on the surface of the stone and a flat base. It's called a rose cut because the stone has the appearance of a rose bud!   The Step Cuts:   Instead of the triangle facets of brilliant and rose cuts, step cuts consist of rectangular facets that give the illusion of steps ascending the stone when viewed from the side. Some examples of step cut stone shapes (pictured above from left to right) are: Classic step rectangle, baguette, square, emerald rectangle (emerald refers to the cut not the gemstone here), emerald octagon, and Asscher. This is a great style of cut to show off the color and clarity of a gemstone.     The Square Cuts:   There are some repeats in this section from the step cut section but this section includes some of the multiple ways to cut a stone into a square shape. From the stunning princess cut to the classic cushion - square cuts are a beautiful addition to any design. These cuts can have sharp crisp corners or gentle rounded edges. The cuts listed above (from left to right) are: the square step cut, the French cut, the princess cut, the Asscher cut, and the cushion cut.   Other Shapes: You don't have to go with a traditional cut stone for your design either! Here are some of our other favorite stone shapes to work with (from left to right): Trillion, pear, radiant, marquise, and oval.   Custom cuts: If we can't find a cut you love for your stone we also work with custom-cut stones! Our stonecutters hand facet stones to bring your dream shape to life.    Learn more about specific gemstones in our 'Stone Spotlight' blogs. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter to get more tips and tricks for designing and buying the perfect ring in your inbox!     Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!      

Frank Sinatra once said that “orange is the happiest color,” and we couldn’t agree more! Orange gemstones are the perfect option for those who are looking for a piece that is unique and eye catching.     Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!     Oregon Sunstone The Oregon sunstone is a stunning light orange gemstone. It is regarded as a stone of optimism and goodwill (and who doesn’t need more of that?). It is called the sunstone due to the varying colors that resemble a sunset. It comes in orange, gold, and light browns. The darker orange shades are due to the schiller effect. This occurs because select sources of this stone have traces of copper giving it this vibrant hue. Orange Sapphires These stones vary from light pastel orange to a vivid orange-red hue. Orange sapphires are an excellent choice for those looking to create a piece of jewelry that will stand the test of time. They are extremely resilient and are perfect for everyday wear. We source our sapphires from Montana from ethical and sustainable mines. Garnet When it comes to garnets, we are drawn to grossular garnets and spessartite garnets. Grossular garnets have an incredible wide range of color options including a deep orange. Spessartite garnets are generally a more vibrant color if you are looking for an orange that really pops! Citrine Citrine is a variety of crystal that offers a beautiful pastel orange coloring. Citrines are thought to absorb negative energy (yes please!) and are perfect for pendants and rings!   Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter to get updates whenever we have new blog posts!   Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!    

Blue is all around us. It is the color of the sky and the sea and is one of our favorite colors to source gemstones in. We love exploring all the beautiful variations of this color with different stones! Here are some of our favorites to work with:   Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!     Sapphires When thinking about blue stones, sapphires are usually the first gemstone that will come to mind! They are extremely resilient (rated a 9 on the Mohs Hardness Scale) and absolutely stunning. Sapphires come in nearly every color imaginable, but blue sapphires are always the most popular. We love working with Montana sapphires especially because we can ensure that they are sourced to the highest standards of ethics and sustainability in the mining industry. Sapphires symbolize wisdom and creativity making them a perfect stone for the creative in your life! Aquamarine We always think that aquamarines evoke the sea. They range in color from almost clear to a light blue to a green-blue coloring. They are often free from inclusions resembling a pane of blue glass. They are a 7.5-8 on the Mohs Hardness Scale making them durable and a wonderful option for pendants or rings. We source our aquamarines from Maine and Colorado from sustainable and ethical sources and stone cutters. Aquamarines are stones of power and are said to radiate calming energies! Iolite If you love the look of sapphires but don't want to break the bank, Iolite is for you! It is a beautiful blue stone that’s natural coloring is a deep blue. It is slightly less durable than a sapphire, but with proper care, it can last generations. We love sourcing this beautiful stone from Wyoming and cannot wait to work with it more in the future. Topaz Topaz is often thought of as a reddish-orange stone, which it is; however, topaz can also be a stunning blue. Blue topaz is one of the most sought after varieties… for good reason! It looks beautiful in any cut and pairs beautifully with all varieties of metal. If you’re curious about what exactly differentiates white, yellow, and rose gold, check out our helpful blog post! Blue Spinel Some consider the blue of blue spinel rivals that of sapphires (we plead the 5th on that question). It is an affordable alternative to sapphires, but don’t discount it as a replacement. Blue spinel can more than hold its own!     Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!  

Before we dive into the difference between these beautiful golds, it is important to know about pure gold versus gold alloys. The only gold that is pure gold is 24 karat (K) gold. 24K gold does not have any other metals mixed into it compared to 22 karat, 18 karat, or 14 karat which are gold alloys.  While 24K gold is stunning, it is also not practical for everyday wear, or even in metalworking. Since 24K gold is not an alloy it is extremely soft. This means that it breaks, bends and scratches easily. At W.R. Metalarts, we use 14K-18K gold to ensure long lasting durability and elegance. Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!       White Gold  White gold is a mix between gold and a silver alloy such as palladium or nickel. Palladium, a personal favorite of ours at W.R. Metalarts, is much rarer and is perfect for those with sensitive skin. If you like the look of platinum, but it isn’t within your budget, white gold is a wonderful option. Compared to yellow and rose gold, white gold is slightly more durable and more scratch resistant. White gold has a unique warm gleam to it that many love to pair with the brilliance of diamonds and other precious gemstones. It is a great choice for someone who wants a warm white tone of metal instead of the strong cool tones of platinum and palladium. We also often get asked: Isn't white gold just rhodium plated yellow gold? Won't I have to replate it as the finish gets worn away? But have no fear! We work exclusively with white gold alloys that are not rhodium plated and are solid white gold. This way you never need to worry about replating your piece and you can be sure it will stay the same color as the day you bought it! Our standard 14k white gold is comprised of 58.55% gold, 17.5% copper, 8.95% zinc and 15% nickel. If you have sensitivities or allergies to any of these metals we would recommend solid platinum if you are looking for a silver color in your piece.     Yellow Gold If you’re someone who loves the look of classic gold, then yellow gold is for you! Since the alloys we work with are the perfect balance between luster and durability, it will stand the test of time while granting a classic, glowing look to your jewelry piece. Yellow gold looks amazing on everyone and is a classic choice for a reason!   Rose Gold Rose gold is a gold and copper alloy that has a pink tone to it. This rosey coloring gives a romantic and vintage feel to jewelry pieces making it a perfect option for engagement and anniversary presents. Don’t be fooled by the gentle appearance of this metal. Because it is a copper alloy it is incredibly strong and can withstand all of your amazing adventures. Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!  

If you’re looking for a gemstone that will certainly turn heads, then red is for you! The color red is associated with passion, love, and energy making it a wonderful option for an engagement ring.     Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!     Ruby The facts: When thinking of red stones, what comes to mind for most people are rubies. Rubies are stunning gemstones (there’s a reason Dorothy had ruby red slippers!) that are an excellent option for an engagement ring! The pros: Aside from their jaw dropping hue, rubies make a wonderful engagement ring stone because of their strength. On the Mohs hardness scale, which ranges from 1 which is talc to 10 where diamonds fall, rubies are a 9. This durability level is an excellent characteristic for those wanting them for everyday wear. They are also some of the rarest gemstones in the world making them especially valuable in a ring that is going to become a family heirloom. The cons: High quality traditional rubies are harder to ethically source than other stones. We have found some great sources for rubies through one of our favorite gemstone suppliers Columbia Gem House but have found that we are more limited in shapes and sizes in our options for these stones. However we can source some beautiful Rubies from Wyoming! Rubies are also some of the rarest gemstones making them much more expensive than other stones of similar sizes, colors, and qualities.  Garnet The facts: Another red gemstone to consider is garnet. This gemstone comes in many different colors (even green!) but is most commonly found in pink, red, and deep burgundy. One of our favorite types of garnet is called ant hill garnet. Ant hill garnets get their name because they are often found around ant hills. While building their underground colonies the ants will bring the tiny gemstones to the surface where they can be easily collected. They are a beautiful deep red color and as Columbia Gem House says, “they are not just a garnet but part of the cultural history of the Navajo people” where they are sourced on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona. The pros: Garnets are super durable and affordable. They are rated between a 7.5 and a 8.5 on the Mohs hardness scale which makes them perfect for everyday wear. We can also source all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors of this beautiful stone. The cons: While suited for everyday wear they are not as durable as sapphires or diamonds and could be damaged over a lifetime of wear. Also depending on where the garnet is sourced from they can quickly get expensive - for example we can sometimes source ultra-rare garnet from the northeast United States but this source of garnet is typically more expensive than others. Spinel The facts: Spinel (pronounced spin-elle) is another beautiful red stone option. Its color can range from a pink to deep merlot hue. We have worked with it on so many beautiful projects over the years! One of our favorite ways to work with spinel is for custom hand-cut stones for especially unique projects.  The pros: Spinel is a durable stone with a hardness rating of 8 that makes it suited for everyday wear. This beautiful gemstone is much more affordable than rubies and is often confused for them! But they are better than rubies in one key way - they are even more sparkly! The cons: We are not able to source this stone from the United States so it can be difficult to ensure that these stones meet our typical ethical sourcing standards. And similar to garnet, spinel is durable but not as durable as sapphires and diamonds. Mexican Fire Opal The facts: The Mexican Fire Opal truly lives up to its name. It has a vivid orange to red coloring. They resemble flames and are sure to ignite the senses. This stone varies from traditional opals in that it typically does not have numerous bodies of color, but instead is a more consistent shade. The pros: This stone can be sourced from the United States so we can ensure that it meets the highest standards of ethical and sustainable sourcing. We can also work with our reputable stone cutters to get the perfect shape and style for your project! The cons: As with all opals this is a softer stone. It is rated as a 6 on the Mohs hardness scale and that makes it a bit more subjective to wear over the years. If this is the stone for you then we can come up with settings and styles that protect this beautiful stone to make sure it can survive the test of time. No matter what gemstone you chose, at W.R. Metalarts, we work with a variety of materials and stones to bring your dream to life!   Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!      

One of the best things about jewelry is that it can be passed down through the generations. Travelling through lifetimes, jewelry is a profound way to stay connected with your loved ones.     Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!     At W.R. Metalarts, we love using client materials to make our pieces!  Whether you want a new setting for that family heirloom sapphire (heirloom stones may or may not be our favorites!), or you have a stunning pair of earrings hiding in a box that you think would make a better ring, we are happy to help bring your vision to life. When it comes to metals, we are able to test them to see if it is an alloy that we work with which is generally 14k or 18k gold. There are two ways we craft projects out of solid metal: casting through our casting house or hand casting. Casting through our casting house relies on additional manufacturing elements in order to create your piece of jewelry allowing it to be more intricate. Hand casting however is the only method that is cultivated completely from scratch by our masterful craftspeople.  We can use your gold when hand casting, but not through our casting house.  If you have perused our website, you may have come across something known as mokume gane.  Mokume gane is an intricate metalworking method that combines mixed metals to create a masterpiece that mimics the appearance of wood. It is possible to cast your heirloom piece into a liner for a mokume gane ring but we cannot craft the actual mokume gane with your gold. If we cannot use your materials in your specific piece we are happy to apply the value of them as a credit towards your project. This is a beautiful way to recycle materials and heirlooms that are no longer sentimental for one person can turn into something new and meaningful for someone else! We would be honored to play a role in bringing your ideas to fruition and create a unique piece of jewelry for you and for those who will enjoy it for years to come.   Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!      

Working to source all of our materials in the most ethical and sustainable way possible means we are constantly reassessing where we get our metals and gems.  It is no secret that any resource extraction done on a mass scale is nearly impossible to be done without negative impacts. Recently we have learned more about gold mining specifically, and it is becoming more and more apparent that the morals and ethics behind gold mining are easily avoided and bent. Especially in the market of “eco-friendly” gold. Currently, all of our metals are 100% recycled. But we have found that much of this metal is recently-mined, and refined multiple times at the beginning of the supply chain to meet the recycled criteria, and came at extreme cost to the environment and the people who extracted it. So we have begun the research and transition into a different approach to our sourcing. We know that now more than ever, it is important to source gold from reputable sources that use something called fair-mined gold.     Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!       What is fair-mined gold? Fair-mined gold has received certification that it was mined in an ethical and sustainable manner from small, reputable mining organizations. It is a revolutionary movement that is making a change for the greater good of the miners and the environment and ensures that the gold you purchase is making a positive impact on the world. Why should you as a consumer care? Unfortunately, when performed in an unethical manner, gold mining can be extremely destructive and dangerous . Gold Mining causes community displacement, leads to contaminated drinking water, environmental and ecosystem destruction, and more. Making the conscious decision to buy gold from a reputable source that uses fair-mined gold can quite literally help change the world. What positive impacts does fair-mined gold have? Fair-mined gold has positive economic, environmental, labor, and social benefits. It ensures and prioritizes the livelihood and well-being of miners as well as their families and communities. Fair-mined gold also helps to mitigate the negative environmental impact of gold mining, thus, reducing irreparable damage and social impacts. Additionally, fair-mined gold contributes to job creation and economic development. Where to find fair-mined gold? At W.R. Metalarts, we are making the transition to fair-mined gold because to us, it’s a no-brainer. And starting today any of our pieces can be made in fair-mined gold! Creating jewelry does not only mean crafting designs with love but ensuring that the jewelry we create is a reflection of who we are and what our values are. We use gems and gold that are sustainably and ethically sourced.  Because jewelry should be beautiful inside and out.  You can learn more about fair-mined gold here!   Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!     Be the change by intentionally opting for fair-mined gold for your project and be part of the movement to  change this ancient industry!

Lab-grown diamonds have long been touted as an eco-friendly alternative to mined stones, boasting identical sparkle and quality without the environmental toll. However, our perspective surrounding the ethicality of lab-grown diamonds has evolved through the years. While lab-grown diamonds are indeed chemically identical to natural diamonds and often offer superior quality and affordability, we no longer view them as our most ethical diamond sourcing option. In our quest for transparency and ethical standards, we now consider artisanally mined natural diamonds with known origins as the pinnacle of ethical sourcing. This is because sourcing artisanally mined diamonds from transparent initiatives can directly benefit small mining communities, creating a positive impact rather than a neutral or negative one, as is the case with lab-grown or recycled stones. Learn more about the ethics of diamonds here:  Where do diamonds come from?    We still acknowledge the merits of lab-grown diamonds, particularly their affordability and sometimes superior quality. However, recent developments have highlighted significant concerns. Sourcing lab-grown diamonds has become increasingly challenging, with many US-based factories closing, leading to ambiguity regarding their origins and production conditions. Also, the global shipping involved in distributing lab-grown diamonds raises environmental red flags, contradicting their eco-friendly image. While they may require less energy to produce initially, their supply chain logistics contribute to their carbon footprint.   In light of these considerations, we now view lab-grown diamonds not as the most ethical alternative, but rather as an option for those prioritizing affordability and quality, albeit with some transparency and environmental trade-offs. Our commitment to providing ethical and environmentally friendly options remains unwavering. We continue to work with trusted partners like Stuller, leveraging their GIA facility for verification and testing. Additionally, we actively seek out transparently sourced artisanal diamonds from entities like Root Diamond and Ethos Diamonds. These initiatives ensure that every diamond purchase positively impacts mining communities. For those exploring alternatives beyond lab-grown and natural diamonds, we invite you to explore our White Stones Blog for a comprehensive overview of other options available. Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!  

Pearls are an organic “gemstone” and though they are far more delicate than other gemstones, with proper care, they will keep their beautiful luster for generations. The thing that makes pearls so beautiful is called nacre, it forms the iridescent outer layer of pearls and can be damaged with improper care. Here is everything you need to know about taking care of your pearls to make sure they last a lifetime! Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!   Keep in mind: Pearls can be damaged by acidic or alkaline substances and extreme changes in humidity and temperature. Heat and prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can dry out the pearls and lead them to crack. Avoid exposing them to cosmetics, lotions, the rule of thumb with pearls is that they should be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off. Never use an ultrasonic or steam cleaner on pearl jewelry. Be mindful not to wear pearl jewelry in a pool, bath, sauna or shower. Do not submerge your pearl in water, the water alone will not harm the pearl, however, the glue used to attach the pearl to a ring can be dissolved and wear away over time loosening the pearl.  Plastic can damage pearls so do not store them in plastic. Caring for your pearls daily: Pearls love to be worn! The water on your skin will actually keep them hydrated and shining. Just wipe your pearl with a soft non-abrasive cloth to keep it looking its best.  Be mindful of the possibility of scratching your pearl, they are only a 2.5 on the Mohs hardness scale and are easily scratched. Do not wear your pearls when exercising.  Never wear your pearl jewelry while cleaning, they should not be exposed to chemicals in any form. Never wear pearl rings while cooking, It's also a good idea to take off your pearls when you're cooking. Acids (like lemon), grease and heat can cause damage to your pearls. How to clean your pearls: Step 1: Gently wipe your pearls with a damp non-abrasive cloth to remove any grime. Step 2: If a deeper cleaning is needed you may use a small amount of pearl-friendly cleaner on the piece.    You can always send us your ring for us to clean for you too! We are happy to give it a touch up if needed. Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!  

Amethyst Color: Soft lavender to deep purple. Our Sources: Maine Mineral and Gem Museum. We often use stones mined as part of the intergalactic Find (also called the Fourth of July find) in the mid 1990's. Mined by the Intergalactic Mining Corporation at the Eastman Prospect at Deer Hill in Stow, ME. Stone Cutting:  We source pre-cut pieces.   Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!     More on Amethyst:  This stone is the birthstone for February and is also associated with the zodiac sun sign of pisces. The ancient Greeks believed that this crystal got its purple color from Dionysus, the god of wine, pouring wine over it. There are many beliefs that associate amethyst with peace and it is believed to have a calming affect on whoever wears it. More on Our Commitment to Ethical and Sustainable Sourcing: We go beyond sourcing stones that are "conflict free" because we view the certification as problematic in several ways. First of all, it excludes small family mining and refining businesses that are unable to afford the certification, but who are producing excellent products by putting their money into paying their employees and ensuring safe conditions rather than paying the costly fee for certification (if you are familiar with the challenges of "organic farming" certifications in the US, this is a similar phenomenon). Second, the "conflict-free" certification only means that 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.  We find that sourcing directly from local cutters and miners is the best way to insure ethical, responsible and sustainable sourcing, practices and conditions.  Through direct relationships, ongoing assessment and accountability we continue to strengthen and develop these practices and the demands for them.   Thank you for supporting responsible and sustainable sourcing!  It is truly an honor!    Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!      

Through the years, your ring might need a touch up to keep its luster. Daily wear can expose your ring to all sorts of grime that can build up over time, but have no fear! Here's all the info you need to keep your ring looking as shiny as the first day you saw it!  Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!   For any ring with stones or solid bands: Clean your ring once a month with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a small amount of mild soap in warm (not hot) water.  We recommend using our new Jewelry Cleaning Kit, which contains everything you need to safely clean your special pieces! This kit comes with a bottle of gentle cleanser and a soft bristle brush, safe for cleaning diamonds and sapphires, as well as softer stones, including opals and pearls. You can even use it to clean costume or antique jewelry! The cleaning solution is made of a special blend of bio-based surfactants that coalesce in a foam to efficiently break down the daily buildup of oils and grime and allow them to be easily rinsed away, leaving your jewelry sparkling clean!    For mokume rings: You can do the same cleaning process as above but you can use hot water and a firmer-bristled toothbrush if you'd like to really clean out the grooves of the ring. If the silver in your mokume ring is tarnishing you can polish it with this method: You Will Need: About two cups of hot water, a glass dish, a third of a cup of baking soda, one teaspoon of salt, and aluminum foil.First, line your glass dish with a piece of aluminum foil, shiny side up. Remember to use a new piece of aluminum foil anytime you want to polish your ring. Next, Put your mokume on the aluminum foil and make sure it is making as much contact with the aluminum foil as possible. Once your mokume ring is on top of the aluminum foil (remember shiny side up!) add the baking soda to the hot water and stir. Once it is dissolved add the salt and stir to combine everything. Slowly start to pour the water, baking soda, and salt solution over your mokume in the aluminum foil lined dish. If you see bubbles on the ring that means the process is working! Leave everything until the water cools and then remove it and it should look good as new! Just give it a quick rinse to remove any residual baking soda.   How to keep the finish on your ring looking new: If your ring has a matte finish that is starting to be worn away to look polished you can use a Scotchbrite pad to re-matte it and buff the surface. Be careful not to do this too often because it will wear the ring down over time. We recommend only doing this once a year.If your ring is polished, you can use a polishing cloth, these can be easily found online and we love them! We often cut them up to make them smaller for single-use too. One thing to note is to keep your polishing cloth in an airtight container as the polishing compound in them will dry up over time. If you use a polishing cloth just be sure to wash your ring in warm soapy water before wearing it again to make sure all of the polishing compound is removed.   Wood and wood inlay rings: If your ring has wood in it only use cold water and be super careful with it as the inlay is very delicate and should be treated similar to pearls and other soft stones.   An important note about ultrasonic machines or steam cleaning: Ultrasonic and steam jewelry cleaners will crack or damage some stones. Please be cautious and aware of what stones are in your piece. Diamonds and sapphires are the only stones that are durable enough to handle these types of cleaners. We strongly advise against cleaning any other stones with these methods as they can irreversibly damage the stones.    If you have questions about your specific piece feel free to email us at studio@wrmetalarts.com     Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!  

Have you ever wondered how we make our signature piece gets made? It's time for a metalsmithing class!   The story of the mokume twist is really the story of W.R. Metalarts. This small business began in loving partnership between Will and Rosie and has lead to so many beautiful designs over the years. Will brought his metalsmithing skill which he honed at Earlham College and Rosie brought an eye for design to come up with the concept for turning Will's favorite style of metalwork, mokume gane, into a wearable work of art.       Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!       There are many skilled artists all over the world that craft mokume gane into beautiful rings but Rosie wanted to add something extra special to a new piece that they were adding to their collection and it became a W.R. Metalarts original design. By adding the movement of the twist to Will's mokume gane rings it elevated the rings to our signature style! Here's how we bring this beautiful style to life: We start by making mokume gane  (you can read more about the history of this technique here). This is a process of fusing multiple layers of alternating types of metal together through eutectic bonds. The metal must be thoroughly cleaned and stacked in alternating types (we use silver and different types of gold). Then it is compressed in a hydraulic press to put the metal under extreme pressure. After that it is heated in a kiln and through the intense pressure and heat the metals fuse together on a molecular level.  We hammer the billet out or put it in a rolling mill to stretch it out as much as we can. We alternate between hammering the metal and heating the metal to stretch it without breaking the bonds that we created. Hammering makes the metal brittle and likely to crack so every time we hammer it we must then heat it to soften the metal once again. This is a delicate balance of not overworking or overheating the metal to stretch it to the optimal size.  T hen comes the fun part - patterning the metal! Our woodgrain mokume gane pattern is created by twisting the metal over and over again by hand. It's one of the most labor-intensive metalwork techniques we do for our rings and you would never believe how much hard word goes into creating something so beautiful and dainty! We put the stretched out mokume gane into a vice and heat it while twisting it over and over again until it is perfect. Then we flatten it again and it is ready to get turned into a ring!  The making of the actual mokume twist is a beloved W.R. Metalarts secret but once we have the intricate twists formed we connect them together and attach the setting. We then etch the mokume gane to bring out the layered woodgrain pattern (you can learn more about etching here). Then we set the stone and the ring is ready to be worn for a lifetime! Do you have questions about how your ring was made? Leave a comment for us below and we can tell you all about it!       Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!  

Engagement Ring Band Styles Picking out an engagement ring is definitely a nerve-wracking experience! There are so many different variables - stone type, color, shape and size, metal type, detailing, side stones, setting style...the list goes on! Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!   It's so easy to get overwhelmed by how many little details there are - that's why we have broken the process down into individual decisions to make bringing your ring to life an absolute breeze! One of the most influential design details is the band (also called a shank) style. This small detail can totally change the look of a ring. Here are some of our favorites:                                                               Straight Half Round The classic half-round solitaire. This is likely the ring you picture when you think of an engagement ring. The rounded edges make it comfortable to wear and it is definitely a classic for a reason! This timeless design never goes out of style!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Reverse Tapered The style is a romantic and vintage take on the classic half-round style. With a narrowing shank it can also make the stone look larger. This delicate band can also elongate the finger.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Tapered This durable and vintage style is a great way to showcase metalwork on a ring. This style is super sleek and looks beautiful with all sorts of setting styles.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Bypass (Embrace) This modern style has a beautiful movement to it that encircles the main stone. Unlike other ring shank styles this band becomes parted when each side reaches the stone. This style is easily customized and can even be combined with others like the reverse taper - this can be seen on rings like our Aquamarine Embrace.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Split Shank This vintage style can be seen on many rings throughout history. This style is highly customizable - making the split larger, smaller, more or less pointed - all of these are ways to make the  ring more romantic, dramatic, subtle, or complex. This band gives a beautiful movement to a design without sacrificing durability and style.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Knife Edge This sleek and modern design has gotten more and more popular over the past few years. Though it may look sharp it is still super comfortable to wear and the edge can be softened as much as you'd like. The angled edges make the band appear thinner and can make the center stone appear larger as well.     What about adding some more stones? Adding some sparkle around the band or the center stone can make really take the ring to the next level!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Pavé This style features a trail of tiny stones along the band of a ring. Pavé is French for pathway and makes it appear that the ring is "paved" with these tiny sparkling stones.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Halo This style can be paired with many other shank styles. It refers to the halo of stones surrounding the center stone which can add an extra level of sparkle to a ring.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Pavé and Halo If you want the maximum level of sparkle then this is it! Having a gorgeous center stone surrounded by a shining halo and a pavé band means this ring will be a show-stopper from every angle.                                                                                                                                                            Don't see your dream ring style here? We can bring it to life! Click here to tell us all about your vision.                                                                     Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!  

  Being a small business means all of our work is collaborative and the result of the hard work of so many people! Our team is made up of some seriously incredible people too. Our metalsmiths Will and Vanessa are the heart and soul behind every beautiful W.R. Metalarts piece. To celebrate our teamwork and collaboration as creatives and businesses they have brought a brand new line to life to add to our catalog collections! Check out our "Together Apart" collection now available!   Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!   Will and Vanessa met at Earlham college in Richmond Indiana. Vanessa was two years above Will and she was his TA in his very first college metalsmithing class! They became fast friends and Will ended up working as a TA with her! They even took an intensive course on the ancient art of mokume gane together. After gratuating Vanessa went on to pursue her masters' degree in metalsmithing from University of Miami in Ohio. She now works as a professor at the university and is also super skilled in ceramics and woodworking.  Will and Vanessa have collaborated on many projects together over the years. She has always been a mentor to Will and has helped him countless times on various projects over the years. Throughout the years they have supported each other in building their own businesses and have turned to each other for support and ideas in their amazing projects. From sharing techniques, ethical stone sources, and business advice they have always supported each other in their artwork.  In celebration of Vanessa joining our team as a metalsmith, she and Will have launched a new line in the W.R. Metalarts catalog! They have named it The Together Apart collection in honor of all of the friendships and relationships that have found ways to persist through the separations we have had to endure over the past year. Watching the ways our clients and community have found ways to create closeness in their hearts even when their loved ones are far away has been such an inspiration! We are celebrating you all and we hope that this new collection brings a new way for you to share some love with your favorite people!    Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!  

Rose Quartz Color: Light Pink to Super Light Pink Our Sources: Tripp Mine in Alstead, NH and Bumpus Mine in Albany, ME Stone Cutting:  All of our Rose Quartz is hand cut by Donny, our stonecutter, in New Hampshire, USA.     Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!     More on Rose Quartz:  Rose quartz is known as the "mothering crystal." For centuries it has been thought to have healing properties for love, self-love, deep inner healing and feelings of peace. It has been used to heal the body and heart after birth, pregnancy loss, post-partum and other times of trauma or self-doubt. More on Our Commitment to Ethical and Sustainable Sourcing: We go beyond sourcing stones that are "conflict free" because we view the certification as problematic in several ways. First of all, it excludes small family mining and refining businesses that are unable to afford the certification, but who are producing excellent products by putting their money into paying their employees and ensuring safe conditions rather than paying the costly fee for certification (if you are familiar with the challenges of "organic farming" certifications in the US, this is a similar phenomenon). Second, the "conflict-free" certification only means that 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.  We find that sourcing directly from local cutters and miners is the best way to insure ethical, responsible and sustainable sourcing, practices and conditions.  Through direct relationships, ongoing assessment and accountability we continue to strengthen and develop these practices and the demands for them.   Thank you for supporting responsible and sustainable sourcing!  It is truly an honor!  Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!  

木目金 ● Mokume Gane ● pronounced: MOH-koo-may GAH-nay   This Japanese traditional metalworking technique is one of our favorite styles to work in! Layers of different types of metal are soldered together to create stunning patterns. The style you will see most often in our work is our woodgrain pattern, but we also make beautiful samidare or raindrop style pieces and many other patterns. Will learned this type of metalworking in college from his mentor and it quickly became a W.R. Metalarts favorite.   Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!       When was mokume invented? What is the history of mokume? Mokume was first created in Japan in the 17th century to be used for elaborate decorative sword handles. But by the 20th century the technique of mokume gane had almost disappeared. Japan had slowly transitioned away from traditional craftwork and the skill needed to make mokume gane made it incredibly difficult to master. But in the 1970's Hiroko Sato Pijanowski learned the technique from Norio Tamagawa and she and her husband began teaching mokume gane to their students in the United States. Why was mokume created? Mokume was created to make decorative sword handles but quickly became popular to be used for housewares and jewelry. What does mokume mean? Mokume gane roughly translates to woodgrain metal or wood eye metal because of the beautiful woodgrain patterns that emerge when this technique is used. What is mokume made of? Our mokume pieces are made of several precious metals in different colors that are layered over each other over and over and fused together to form a single block of metal called a billet. Then the billet is twisted to create the desired pattern and shaped into the final ring design. Is mokume the same as damascus? What is the difference between mokume and damascus steel? They are really similar! They are both made of different metals layered, fused, and twisted to create intricate patterns. Damascus steel is made of iron alloys and mokume is made of precious non-ferrous metals. So a damascus blade might be made of steel and stainless steel where a mokume ring is made of gold and silver alloys. How do you make mokume gane? Mokume gane is made by layering precious metals and fusing them together. After that they are twisted, hammered, and shaped to create beautiful patterns in the metal. What metals are used in mokume gane? We use all sorts of gold alloys like 14K rose gold, white gold, palladium white gold, 18K gold, 22K yellow gold, etc. We also use silver in our mokume gane to fuse the layers of gold together with eutectic bonds. We then put the shaped ring in acid which eats away at the silver and brings out the woodgrain layers in the ring even more. You can learn more about our etching process here. How do you clean mokume gane? All of our rings are super easy to clean - even our mokume gane ones! The best way to clean it is with warm water, a gentle dish soap, and a toothbrush to clean out the grooves of the meal. The best way to keep your mokume gane beautiful for generations is to not expose it to chemicals, lotions, or dirt. And always remember to take off your beautiful ring before doing any work with your hands!   Enjoy 5% off your first order & be the first to know about new collections, exclusive offers & more!