THE METALS
Stainless Steel has become one of the most sought after materials in fashion, no wonder why: It is superior to most precious metals in terms of durability and allergic safety. It is also very hard to work with, which makes the pieces offered on KIRSTEN SANDER JEWELLERY unique evidence of craftsmanship, especially when combined with gold, silver and stones. Stainless steel remains "stainless" if it contains at least 10 % chromium. This element reacts with oxygen from the air and forms an invisible surface layer which prevents further oxygen from "rusting" the surface.
Silver was known in the ancient world as argentum and was thought to be more precious than gold as it appeared less commonly in nature. Today it is the most common alloy used in silversmithing and jewellery making. Adopted under King Henry II as a standard alloy in 12th century England, imported refiners from the Easterling area in Germany produced a product of consistent quality, which became currency as Easterling Silver in 1300. Sterling Silver contains at least 92.5% (925 stamp) pure silver - like pure gold it is too soft and therefore alloyed, mainly with copper.
Gold was discovered after copper and therefore probably the second metal worked by man - gold work can be found as early as 3000 BC. One ounce of gold can be drawn into a wire almost a mile long and flattened into a 100 square foot sheet. Like silver, too soft in its pure state (24k) it is alloyed with other metals to achieve the desired hardness, silver and copper are most commonly used. The relative amount of gold in an alloy is called karat - in the UK mostly sold is 9k (375 stamp = 37.5% pure gold) and 18 k (750 stamp = 75% pure gold) . Other countries use different karats, for instance Germany sells 8k (333= 33.3%gold) and 14k ( 583= 58.3% gold). You will notice that most of our steel / gold jewellery will have 14k details, as it was produced in Germany. White Gold is gold made of a more silver alloy and mostly finished with a rhodium plating. Again, mainly sold as 375 and 750 in the UK.
THE STONES
Amethyst is a form of Quartz. The word is greek for "not drunken" - it is believed to protect from the effects of wine if held under the tongue while drinking. Placed under the pillow, amethysts insure pleasant dreams, improve memory and provide immunity from poison. Amethyst is the most useful all-purpose healing crystal, it quietens the mind and allows finer perceptions to become clear.
Diamond from the Greek "adamas"- unbreakable . You are buying a piece of universe , however minute ! Some crystals form beneath the subcontinental lakes of lava that make the earths mantle - the 2720 km thick mantle reaches from about 32 km beneath the continents up to the earths core. Diamonds require temperatures above 1200 (C and pressures typical at 240 km below the earths surface. Diamonds are, as ever, extremely desirable and were believed to render poisons harmless and drive away evil dreams, spirits and madness. Iolite is also called water sapphire, but there is no relation. It is of a beautiful violet colour and is said to increase imagination and intuitive creativity.
Jade occurs in white, yellow, lavender, brown, black an the familiar green. The term refers to 2 minerals, jadeite and nephrite. The Spanish believed it could cure kidney pains and called it "piedra de ijada" - loin stone , European doctors called it "palis nephriticus" from Greek "nephros" for kidney. It is also believed to protect from lightning, bring rain and aid childbirth.
Onyx The term often refers to an agate dyed black. When cut to show concentric circles it forms an eye-like amulet that was worn by Egyptians, Greeks and Romans to ward off evil.
P
earls are attributed to the Goddess Venus as a symbol of innocence. They are deposits formed inside a living mollusk, in response to an irritation felt by the animal. Cultured pearls develop the same way, but have human help to get started - tissue, plastic or glass is inserted into the animal to collect secretions. Pearls are formed in saltwater and freshwater - KSJ offers a beautiful freshwater pearl set.
Rose Quartz. Quartz is the most common crystal in the world, pulverized into tiny bits it becomes sand. The amount of colour in Quartz depends on the amount of iron in the crystal . Rose Quartz is the best known and favourite of the pink crystals. It is supposed to have a calming and reassuring effect and may release unexpressed emotions to further personal growth.
Ruby is the red variety of the hard mineral corundum. The earliest industrial use of rubies was as watch jewels . They have low friction and are extremely hard ( second only to diamonds). Thought to be energizing and balancing , it works with the energies of the heart centre and circulation. Historically it is associated with royalty and the power of life and death.
Blue Topaz Most of us think of Topaz as a sherry coloured stone - it comes in pinks, yellow, green, blue, red and clear. Topaz comes from Sanskrit "tapas" - to glow. It cleaves easily and requires care in cutting and setting. Used as a clearing stone in healing to direct energy around the body.
Zirconium (CZ = Cubic Zirconium) is a transparent, manmade gem, produced from zirconium. It is available in many colours, as well as a bright white that resembles diamond.
