Three Crows Metalworks
Natural Fern Earrings in Bronze with Lapis Lazuli
Natural Fern Earrings in Bronze with Lapis Lazuli
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Created from real ferns collected while hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, these handmade fern earrings are the perfect way to carry a small token of the mountains with you. Live fern leaves are pressed into bronze metal clay and then fired to high temperatures in the kiln before being antiqued and polished. This pair is complemented by the cool hues of beautiful lapis lazuli beads and hang from sterling silver ear wires.
Measurements:
Total earring length: 62mm (2.5in)
Earring width: 18mm (3/4in)
Materials:
Precious Metal Clay
Precious metal clay is a moldable material that needs high heat to be transformed to its final metal state. It is made with precious metal particles, an organic (non-toxic) binder, and water. It is used to make jewelry, jewelry components, findings, embellishments for ceramic work. Once formed and dried, the clay is fired in a kiln at temperatures ranging from 1100 degrees F to 1650 degrees F. During the firing, the organic material is burned out and the metal sinters to form a solid mass of metal. Once fired, the metal can be worked using traditional metalsmithing techniques including soldering and forging.
Bronze
Bronze is one of the earliest metals known to humans. It is defined as an alloy made of copper and another metal, usually tin. Bronze usually is a golden hard metal, and the properties depend on the specific composition of the alloy as well as how it has been processed. It is typically highly ductile, and many bronze alloys display the unusual property of expanding a small amount when solidifying from a liquid into a solid, making it desirable for sculpture casting. Upon exposure to air, bronze oxidizes, but only on its outer layer, creating a lovely patina protecting the interior metal from further corrosion.
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Shipment processing time
All orders are processed within 2–4 business days of receipt. Orders are not processed or shipped from Friday, 12 pm EST through Sunday, or holidays.
If we are experiencing a high volume of orders, shipments may be delayed by a few days. If your shipment experiences a significant delay, we will contact you via email.
Shipping rates
Shipping charges for your order will be calculated and displayed at checkout.
Care Instructions
Care Instructions
When exposed to oxygen, jewelry made with precious metals can get a dark tone, commonly referred to as tarnish.
You can avoid tarnish by wearing your jewelry often. The oils in your skin will polish the metal and keep it looking shiny. However, contact with harsh chemicals, like household cleaning products, will cause corrosion and tarnish — so it’s a good idea to remove jewelry when doing household chores or going swimming. Raw copper can sometimes react with oils in the skin and cause discoloration. This is harmless and can usually be removed with soap and water.
Tarnish can be easily removed by regular wear and light polishing. It is important to note that, as metal artists, we sometimes intentionally darken or patina parts of our pieces, typically to make small details stand out or add an artistic finish. Use caution when cleaning patinated jewelry since the coloration can be lost with excessive cleaning or polishing.
When you are not wearing your jewelry, be sure to store it properly. Exposure to air will tarnish most metals; storing jewelry in airtight plastic bags with anti-tarnish strips is a great preventative measure. Also, since some metals, like silver, are soft, it is important to store each piece separately so the individual pieces don’t scratch each other.
CLEANING YOUR JEWELRY:
- Clean the piece of jewelry by washing with mild soap and water.
- Dry your jewelry immediately and thoroughly.
- Tarnish can be removed by polishing jewelry with a polishing cloth or a piece of flannel or microfiber.
- To protect your jewelry, you can use a light coat of carnauba wax (car wax) applied according to the container instructions.
A complementary anti-tarnish strip and polishing cloth are enclosed with each of our orders.
