FAQ

Will my steel jewelry rust?

Without proper care, yes. Be aware that all steel (even stainless!) can rust. Conditions that favor rust are high humidity or constant exposure to water, especially salt water. Luckily, the answer to minimizing rust on your steel jewelry is simply to wear it. Constant friction from wear and the natural oils from your skin will work well to prevent your jewelry from rusting.

To extend the finish of the steel jewelry sold here, I have finished each piece with a special product called TuffCloth and included in each box a small packet designed to remove moisture from the environment. TuffCloth was designed for the Navy Seals to maintain firearms under conditions of constant moisture. I have included a small piece of TuffCloth with each piece of jewelry. If you noticed your jewelry has begun to rust, simply clean the rust off with a green ScotchBright pad (often used for cleaning pots, pans, and dishes) and rub with the TuffCloth, allow to sit for 5-10 minutes, and wipe any residue off with a clean paper towel.
If you do not wear your steel jewelry for a significant amount of time please rub every surface with a paper towel that has been lightly moistened with oil (any oil will do, really). Wrap your piece in the oiled towel and place both the towel and the piece in a Ziploc bag. Steel pieces may be kept for many years like this and maintain their original finish. When the piece is ready to be worn again, simply wash with warm, soapy water, rub with the included TuffCloth, and wipe any residue off with a fresh paper towel.

Can my steel jewelry scratch?

Yes! Steel is very scratch-resistant, but constant abuse will eventually mar the finish. That said, steel is far more durable than silver, gold, or platinum and should maintain its finish for many, many years to come.

Can I slightly modify the design of my jewelry?

All one-of-a-kind pieces are sold as shown. Please feel free to customize your made-to-order jewelry by selecting different dimensions (shown as small, medium, or large on the purchase menu) or specifying the size, width, height, shape, contours of made-to-order rings (link to sizing), and lining material, if relevant.

The jewelry we wear, like the life we live, is not necessarily static. A special piece may need to be modified at some point to reflect a life change (another stone is added to a family ring to represent a new child or grandchild). Please feel free to contact me concerning any modifications that you would like to have done to your special piece of jewelry.

Can I select specific stones for my jewelry?

Specific stones may be selected on most made-to-order and all custom jewelry. The inclusion of a custom stone into your piece may influence the cost, though, so please contact us before ordering.

Do you set stones with prongs?

Yes, I absolutely can incorporate prong settings into your piece of custom jewelry. I do not routinely use prong settings, however, for both aesthetic reasons as well as the maintenance they require. Please note that prongs must be checked, or even repaired, every 5 years to ensure the stability of the stone.

Can I send you my own stones for setting?

I often have clients that would like me to reset a significant stone (a vintage diamond from a grandmother’s wedding ring, etc) into a new piece for them. Before you do so, please contact me to discuss your custom design. I also strongly recommend taking your stone to a reputable jeweler that can assess the value and condition of the stone. I am not responsible for any chips, cracks, or imperfections that were present in the stone prior to my receiving it.

Can I send you my own organic objects to make into Sylvan jewelry?

Sometimes there is a twig, acorn, or other organic object that holds a special place in your heart. Maybe it was collected during a special vacation, found on the ground where you first proposed, or collected during your child’s first trip to the beach. Turning these keepsakes into Sylvan jewelry is a wonderful way to honor these memories. To ensure that your item is appropriate for casting, please contact me before shipping. Pack your items carefully for shipping. The original piece will be destroyed during the process and I cannot guarantee a successful casting can be made of every piece, so when possible include as many original pieces as possible. Anything shipped will not be returned, so remember to keep some of the original keepsakes for yourself.