Information
Where can I buy your work?
I will soon be launching an online shop of selected ready to wear gold and silver pieces. You can also contact me directly to discuss commissioning a bespoke piece.
e.g.etal in Flinders Lane, Melbourne, showcases a collection of my precious and limited edition pieces. The wonderful team at e.g.etal can work closely with you in choosing or commissioning a piece through the gallery.
Metals
The primary metals I work with are white, yellow and rose gold, (available in 9ct, 14ct and 18ct), platinum and sterling silver.
When commissioning a bespoke piece, your colour preference, vision and budget will steer your metal and carat choice. I can walk you through these options when we discuss your dream piece.
I work exclusively with a very reputable metal merchant and casting foundry, both located in Melbourne.
At this point in time I am unable to recycle client metal.
Ring Sizing
There's a bit of an art to sizing a ring and can be subject to a number of variables. Getting your ring size as close to perfect is ideal before making your ring, as this will alleviate the need for drastic resizing once your piece is complete. There are a number of ways to check your size. For some helpful information on checking your ring size, please head to the sizing chart.
Keep in mind that certain factors can cause your ring size to fluctuate. Extreme temperatures, exercise, pregnancy, illness, weight loss/gain can all have an effect on your fingers, so it can be useful to check your size a couple of size if you’re unsure.
Make sure you’re measuring the finger that you want the ring to go on.
Be mindful that your knuckle play a big role in determining your ring size. Don’t measure the base of your finger without checking that you can get the ring over your knuckle. This is particularly important if you’re trying to measure around your finger with a piece of tape, paper or string.
The best way to measure your ring size at home is to try on an exisiting ring that fits perfectly on the correct finger. Then measure the inside diameter of that ring in mm and refer back to the sizing chart to determine what ring size it is in AU/EU gauge.
Stones
My work predominately features coloured sapphires, white and champagne diamonds. Sapphires and diamonds offer a wide variety of colours and price points, whilst being the least impervious to wear and tear. However I love working with all stones, so if you have a particular stone in mind, i will guide as best I can on their suitability depending on the piece being commissioned.
I work with a select few stone merchants who I trust implicitly to supply me with the highest quality material from reputable sources. Where possible I do my best to disclose the stones provenance, though this may not be possible for every piece.
It is part of my design philosophy to play with unusual coloured and unique stones. I embrace imperfections and inclusions, but never compromise on the quality and integrity of the stone.
I also work regularly with client stones that have come from heirloom or sentimental pieces.
Care
Where possible I do my best to inform you about the specific care needs of your special piece. I pride myself upon creating works that are strong, durable and long wearing, however, as with all jewellery, care must be taken to ensure they retain their integrity and lustre.
To clean your stone/s, use a soft toothbrush and some warm soapy water. However, it is always best to check first if your stone tolerates water as some are highly sensitive to liquids and chemicals.
Avoid wearing your ring when showering, doing dishes, gardening or swimming in chlorinated water. Be mindful that chemicals, (including hand cream, perfumes, soap etc), excessive heat and contact with hard surfaces can damage your ring and stones
With time and wear your ring will polish up and also acquire it’s own share of fine scratches and surface marks. These marks can be polished out if needed, however I encourage you to celebrate gentle wear and tear as this tells the story of your piece’s journey.
Be mindful that our hands fluctuate in varying temperatures. Activities such as swimming in cold water or intensive exercise can cause our fingers to shrink or swell. This can lead to rings slipping off the hand, or getting stuck. With this in mind, it is advisable to remove your ring before undertaking any activity that could result in your ring not fitting correctly. Pregnancy and some medications can trigger this effect as well, so keep an eye on how your ring is fitting.
I’m always happy to answer any questions, so please don’t hesitate in getting in touch.