Malachite

Malachite, the vivid bluish green to green opaque gem stone has distinctive markings. They are usually curved, light and dark stripes and can have circular markings do to its botryoidal crystal, (resembling bunches of grapes), habit. Malachite  is a relatively soft stone, only a 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale so therefore, it can scratch easily and has a "poor" toughness. So be careful if you have it set in a ring.

Typically, malachite is made into beads and cabachons for setting in to pendants. Malachite is also quite popular in  inlays and carvings.

It is often found around deposits of copper as this is the mineral which causes the beautiful color. It is mined in Zaire, Australia, England, France, Namibia, Romania, South Africa, US, USSR and Zimbabwe.

Most commercial malachite is enhanced with impregnation with paraffin or epoxy resins with can improve the polish and hide small cracks. So care must be taken when exposing enhanced specimens to heat.

The best way to clean your malachite jewelry is is warm soapy water. Never use a steamer or an ultrasonic cleaner.

I was able to obtain some large size cabochons which I have fashioned in to pendants. I was told that they were mined in Arizona, USA and were cut by hand.

The markings these pieces are stunning. I have used sterling silver and gold fill wire to make the pendants. I have made a large bails so that they  can fit on most bead strands or leather cords.

http://pzmdesigns.com/

German Silver an Affordable Jewelry Alternative

When the price of silver went through the roof, several years ago, many of us, metal smiths, began using German silver, or nickel silver as a more affordable substitute for sterling silver.

German silver (or nickel silver)  has many wonderful qualities but it actually contains NO silver at all. It is actually an alloy made, primarily of  60% copper, 20% nickel and 20% zinc. Nickel silver has existed for over 2000 years in China where it was first known and used. 

The Germans began producing this metal from 1750 on, hence the name. In the 19th century, the American Plains Indians began to acquire nickel silver and began using it in belt buckles, earrings, pendants, and other jewelry. Nickel silver can be hammered, folded, soldered and formed just like silver.

I love making cuffs and bangle. Here are some examples of hammered cuffs, bangles and earrings that I made.

Tall nickel silver cuff

Hammered Bangle Set of 7

Long nickel silver dangle earrings

Wide nickel silver thumb ring


German silver is also very hard and can take a high polish. This metal is a little more difficult to work with than copper or brass so it needs to be annealed more frequently to soften it up.

In the Middle East, some of the most beautiful Bedouin jewelry are made using nickel silver, and even some furniture was made from this beautiful and versatile  Here are a couple of examples.

Today, besides being used in jewelry, many musical instruments including french horns, trumpets and flutes are made from 100% nickel silver.

I do love working in sterling silver and gold but more of my customers can wear and enjoy my designs when they are made from German silver.