Materials Used Here

14kt Gold Filled ( 1/20 ) is a highly durable layer of 14kt Gold permantly bonded by heat and pressure to a support alloy metal. Also known as Rolled Gold. It will not flake off like gold plate. It has a long life and can be worn by most people without reactions or difficulties. Gold Filled has significantly more gold (100 times more) than gold plate, and is consider a lifetime product when cared for properly. You will see the notation "14/20 gold filled" meaning that outer 5 % of the material is 14kt Gold usually over a brass core. When gold filled is placed over sterling silver, it is called "Vermeil". All Wire used is American Wire Gauge "AWG".

Caring for Gold Filled jewelry is simple. Minimize exposure to salt water, extreme temperatures, chlorine, perspiration and abrasive soaps by wiping with a soft cloth to remove these elements which can cause oxidation. Store Jewelry separately to prevent scratching other jewelry. To clean your jewelry, Clean with water and a mild dish soap, and dry with a soft clean cloth. I recommend to use red rouge to bring a high luster to your Gold Filled jewelry. Simple apply a little red rouge to a soft cloth and gently polish your jewelry to a bright luster. (With red rouge, stay away from pearls to prevent damaging your pearls).

Sterling Silver contains 92.5% Silver. The other 7.5% consist of other metals to make the siver hard enough to be used for jewelry. Clean your sterling silver with a clean cloth after each time you wear your jewelry. I recommend to clean your sterling silver jewelry with "Sunshine Polishing Cloth" . I like to use anti-tarnish paper to help keep your sterling jewelry from tarnishing. Simply place your jewelry in a resealable plastic bag with the anti-tarnish strip or paper to retard tarnishing.

If you use a commercial jewelry cleaner, be sure to read the label for instructions. Some gemstones may be ruined by such cleaners such as pearls, opals, coral, shells, etc. Please use caution when using commercial cleaners to prevent damaging your jewelry. And Remember with proper care, you should get many years of enjoyment from your sterling silver jewelry.

Argentium, the silver of the 21st century, stays bright and beautiful. No polishing. Argentium, the way silver was meant to be; forever bright and beautiful. Argentium Sterling Silver (AS) is .925 Silver. In Argentium, Germanium replaces 1.2% of the copper in Sterling Silver that prevents fire scale (oxidation) on the surface of Sterling Silver. Argentium tarnishes very slowly. Argentium is approx. 10% more expensive than Sterling Silver, but well worth the price for the finished product. To Clean my Argentium Jewelry, Simply wash with Dawn Dish soap and water & pat dry with a clean cloth. I also just wipe down my Argentium jewelry with a clean cloth once in awhile to stay looking great. Do not submerse in a jewelry cleaner that has been used for other kinds of jewelry to prevent the addition of cross contamination from other elements. People who have an allergic reaction to the copper in Sterling Silver are usually not allergic to Argentium Silver.

Bright Aluminum is a very light metal with a hint of grey. My Bright Aluminum Jewelry has a very high shine and luster. When taken care of properly it will keep it's shine for years to come. The advantages of using Bright Aluminum is that it's inexpensive. Beautiful looking jewelry can be made at the fraction of the cost of other materials. Bright Aluminum has a slight rub off on the skin. To Clean my Bright Aluminum Jewelry, Simply wash with Dawn Dish soap and water & pat dry with a clean cloth. I also just wipe down my Bright Aluminum Jewelry with a clean cloth before storing in a plastic bag when not in use. Keep your Bright Aluminum Jewelry away from corrosive chemicals such as chlorine, bleach, acids, and drain cleaning solutions to prevent your jewelry from oxidizing and losing it's luster.

Copper is a reddish metal that will tarnish easily and may turn skin green. Copper was the first metal used by man for tools, implements, weapons and artwork. Some people believe that copper can assistant with Arthritic and Rheumatic diseases by improving the circulation of blood and reducing inflammation. Health Practitioners and Scientists have found Copper to help osteoporosis, tendonitis and sports injuries. All copper Wire is in American Gauge "AWG". To Clean my Copper Jewelry, mix a tablespoon of lemon juice, a cup of water, and a pinch of salt. Place the copper jewelry in the solution for up to two minutes while stirring. Take the Copper Jewelry out of the solution and rinse with tap water. The process can be repeated until your happy with the results. Do Not let the Copper sit in the solution for extended time. The acid in the lemon juice will corrode the Copper if left in the solution for to long. When your happy with the results when cleaning your Copper Jewelry simply rinse with tap water & pat dry with a clean cloth. Store your Copper Jewelry in a plastic bag when not in use. Like Bright Aluminum keep your Copper Jewelry away from corrosive chemicals to prevent damage to your Copper.

The word pewter is probably a variation of the word spelter. This became peautre in French, and many other languages. Physically, pewter is a bright, shiny metal that is very similar- if not identical in appearance to silver. Like silver, pewter will also tarnish to a dull gray over time if left untreated. Pewter is a softer metal that contains 91% tin, 7% antimony and 2% copper. Some of the components (clasp) that I use are made from pewter and is specified in the product description. Very few people are allergic to this metal.

Stainless Steel is a material that I have been experimenting with and will soon be offering here at PK Jewelry 4u. Stainless Steel usually contains about 10-30% chromium. The chromium provides exceptional resistance to corrosion and heat. The Stainless Steel that I will be using is Surgical Grade. Stainless Steel is strong enough to make Chain Maille and has a medium to dark gray color. The advantage of Stainless Steel is that it will not tarnish or oxidize. The only down side of Stainless Steel is that it contains nickel, this can cause problems for some people with nickel allergies. However, Stainless Steel is an excellent choice for Unique Chain Maille and I will soon have a line of Men's Chain Maille Jewelry that will make a wonderful choice for your husband, boyfriend, or someone special.

Nickel silver, also known as German Silver, has a very deceiving name. First of all, Nickel Silver contains NO silver at all. Nickel Silver contains approximately 65% Copper, 25% Zinc, and 10% Nickel, If approximately 5% of tin is present in this alloy, it is called Alpaca. The color ranges from a matte silver color to a light yellow. Like all copper alloys, nickel silver will tarnish slightly. I can make per special request, any chain Maille design on this site with Nickel Silver but the process time will take longer. Since I don't readily carry Nickel Silver.

Bronze is an excellent choice for making Chain Maille. Bronze comes in many alloys but the color is a rose gold-caramel-butterscotch color that will darken over time. The bronze I use contains about 94% Copper and 6% Tin. The advantages of using Bronze verses Copper is for the increased strength that bronze has. The addition of tin makes bronze a better choice for chain maille designs that require strenght. Bronze weights a little less then copper but is much stronger. Bronze will tarnish but can be cleaned with Brasso. Bronze will tarnish developing a patina that some people really like. we can use any commercial jewelry cleaner that says it is safe for brass ( such as Brasso) and use per manufacturers instructions.

Jewelers Brass, as known as Merlins Gold, Midas Gold, or Nu gold has more copper content than brass. Jewelers Brass has a yellowish golden appearance making it a suitable substitute for a gold look at a fraction of the cost. Jewelers Brass is durable and a nice weight for making chain maille. It also works well in combinations with other metals and is a good choice for inlay work. It will tarnish developing a patina. To clean Jewelers Brass use any commercial jewelry cleaner that says it is safe for brass and use per manufacturers instructions.