Announcements: Just added 6 new pendants on 12/12/24. - Next addition to store inventory will be in 2025. - Currently my store can only sell to customers within the United States and its territories. - Free USPS Ground Adv. shipping in the USA til 1/1/2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Mohs hardness scale?
A: Mohs hardness scale is a measure of stone/mineral hardness that goes from 1 to 10 with 10 being the hardest (diamond). This is commonly referred to by people in the lapidary/jewelry trade as a primary indicator of a stone’s physical characteristics. I refer to it in the “Store” web pages. I don’t sell anything less than a 2.5 on the Mohs scale, nor do I sell anything with a 9-10 Mohs number. I personally think there may be some over reliance on using Moh’s hardness, but it would take a lot of text to explain my concerns. Perhaps it will be a future Stonefeast blog post.
Q:Why do you seem to make only pendants and earrings?
A: I take a minimalist approach to stone jewelry, which means I emphasize the stone and not the fitting. Pendants and earrings are less abused in daily wear than other types of jewelry. Rings and bracelets are much more likely to take a blow. Any stone component in a ring or bracelet really should be protected by some type of setting, usually metal. With pendants and earrings, I can concentrate on the stone since they are worn in a more protected location.
Q: What is a druzy?
A: A druzy is a natural feature that I may focus on when I make a piece. It is a hole that was formed when the stone was formed. Over time, quartz crystals formed on the surface of the hole. If the crystals are not filled with dark minerals, they create a neat effect. I have to be extra careful when cutting and shaping the piece as the material around the stone can be thinner than normal.
Q: Can we visit your shop?
A: I really dislike this answer. Insurance requirements and liability concerns make it impossible at this time.
Q: Why do prices vary from piece to piece?
A: My costs can vary considerably from piece to piece for a number of reasons. The cost of slabs can easily vary by 5 to 10 times, which is primarily due to the scarcity of some materials and/or the uniqueness of the color and pattern. Some materials take longer to process and some shapes contribute to that too.
Q: How did you get into this business?
A: See the first blog post under the “SF Blog” link at the top. That blog post explains it quite well.
Q: How can I identify good stone jewelry?
A: I’ll be posting several entries on that subject into the SF Blog probably by mid-December. Good thing I have that blog!
Q: Is your stone jewelry a good investment?
A: Anything well made and taken care of has the potential to gain value. That is particularly true if the supply of the material is in decline. Every piece of my stone jewelry is one of a kind and therefore unique. Each piece is lovingly handcrafted, and I’ve been told repeatedly, well-made. Additionally, some of the stone slabs I start with are becoming harder to find, which is noted in the jewelry description. Taking care of the jewelry is up to you, but I do provide care instructions with every piece. Having said all that, the number one reason you should buy my stone jewelry is because you like it. I like to think of my jewelry as heirlooms. I don’t promote my jewelry as an investment, but I’m also certain you could make much, much, much worse investments.
Q: Where do your stones come from?
A: To be clear, 95% of the time I start with stone slabs I have purchased. Occasionally, I slice stones into slabs, but that is the exception. I typically have stone slabs in my shop from the United States (primarily western U.S.), Canada, Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Norway, Madagascar, Namibia, South Africa, Turkey, Morocco, Australia, India, Afghanistan, China, Russia, Indonesia and others.
Q: Can you tell me where the stone jewelry piece I purchased came from?
A: Maybe. Stones and stone slabs can go thru several purchases and that origin information often gets lost. I purchase almost exclusively from United States suppliers and a few Canadian suppliers, but they purchase from all over the world. Additionally, if a slab is purchased from an estate sale, the estate representative quite typically has no idea where it came from. But don’t hesitate to ask. If I know, I’ll certainly tell you. I do try to list the stone origin in the jewelry description when I know it.
Q: What is stabilizing a slab with epoxy?
A: Sometimes I get a slab in inventory that has some questionable cracks showing up. If I am concerned about the structural integrity of that slab, I’ll stabilize it. To do this, I use a high grade epoxy designed for this purpose. This is not a coating. The epoxy is forced into the stone after all air has been evacuated from inside those cracks. This creates a very strong reinforced stone. This is the only artificial material, other than the installed metal fittings, that I use in my work.