Metals

Mokume Gane: A laminate technique composed of fused sheets of varrying alloys that are hammered, carve, and/or filed to expose a cross section, creating unique patterns. This technique is similar to damascene steel.

Fine Silver: 99.9% pure silver

Sterling Silver: an alloy of 92.5% fine silver, and 7.5% copper

24k Gold = 99.9% pure gold

22K Gold = 90% gold, 10% silver and/or copper

18K Gold = 75% gold, 25% silver, copper, and/or zinc

White gold, rose gold, green gold, or other colors of gold are composed of 24K gold and other metals, which change the color of the gold from yellow. Because enough enough copper, palladium, or nickle is needed to achieve a color change, these alloys are always 18K or lower.

Bi-Metal: Sheet gold fused to sheet sterling or fine silver. Bi-metal is a formable sheet of metal like any other and nearly as durable as solid sheet gold. It is NOT gold filled, plated, vermeil, kum boo, or gilding. It is an actual sheet of gold backed by a sheet of silver for strength. My use of bi-metal allows me to create larger works that would not only be excessively heavy in gold, their cost would be prohibitive. Pieces using bi-metal are stamped according to karat (18K or 24K) and also stamped sterling and/or fine silver.