Spoon Rings

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed...

Something Old: Sterling Silver Spoon Rings are said to have originated in 17th century England. Legends state that servants who could not afford wedding rings would steal silverware from manor houses, and in turn, make the stolen silverware into wedding rings. Precious metal was out of reach for most servants during this time. Spoon rings are an old-time tradition whose popularity has varied over the past 35 years.

Something New: The original Sterling Silver Spoon is made into a Spoon Ring by using the spoon handle. The spoon portion of the silverware is cut from the handle portion, and with the handle, the jeweler uses various techniques to achieve the rings shape and size. Sterling Silver Spoon Rings can be very versatile, they almost always are adjustable to fit any ring finger and size. The original spoon becomes new when it is transformed into your ring!

Something Borrowed: The old time wedding tradition of borrowing an item to symbolize longevity fits perfectly with our Sterling Silver Spoon Ring Collection. Our Rose Spoon Ring, Lily, Sunflower, Tulip, Daffodil, and Large Flower Spoon Ring all come from aged silverware collections. Each ring that is fabricated is done with one of our unique aged silverware pieces that we have acquired through the years. In turn, each new ring that is made is from a unique and beautiful borrowed silverware handle.

Spoon Rings make great gifts for any occasion. Brides, Bridesmaids, Maids of Honor, best friends, or any special time when the gift you need has to be something unique and different. These rings are gifts that will be treasured forever.....

http://www.skystoneandsilver.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?page=sky/CTGY/SPN

Zia Jewelry

Nothing has quite maintained its hold on the American Southwest in recent years like the Zia (southwest sun symbol) symbol. The New Mexico State symbol and its meanings have exploded in popularity, and today countless people are scrambling to find gifts that have meaning and are not just a gift for gifts sake. Sometimes the best gifts are those that carry that connection into the lives of the people giving and receiving these gifts. Handmade items tend to last longer, look better and have more meaning than their machine-stamped counterparts, and nowhere is that more true than with Rick Sindeband's Handmade Sterling Silver Zia Jewelry.

Master jeweler Rick Sindeband has earned a wide following for his distinct and timeless American Southwest designs. Most of our designs are 100 percent sterling silver, cut and twisted by hand into the kind of treasure you will not be able to help showing off. If you don't see the Zia Jewelry you are looking for, ask us and maybe we can do something special for your gift giving pleasure. Zia Pendant, Zia Earrings, Zia Cuff Links,and other sun symbol jewelry are available in many sizes.

Peace Sign Jewelry

On March 18, 2003, Lynn Yaeger, of the Village Voice In New York City, included Skystone and Silver's Peace Sign Jewelry to be ranked among the top online sectors selling Peace Sign goods during the start of the war.

The article entitled "Peace Goods No Blood for Oil, and Other Fashion Statements" went on to say:

The fabulous surge of power and solidarity you feel when you attend a peace demonstration begins way before you get to the rally: It starts the minute you board the subway and see so many other people demo-bound too. There is nothing like the thrill of collective action, but if you're not wearing a symbol or a slogan somewhere on your body, how will everyone know you're headed to the same place they are?

After all, the function of clothes isn't merely to keep you covered and warm—it's also to tell the world, before you even speak, what crowd you run with. In a season when more and more citizens are taking to the streets, many for the first time, we searched the Internet for peace-themed merchandise, assuming that since the Web has been instrumental in building the movement so quickly, it would probably also offer a wide assortment of anti-war accessories.

The good news is, there is no lack of left-leaning merchandise online. The bad news? Most of the slogans and symbols have taken up residence on the T-shirt, an item whose ubiquity has rendered it, at least in fashion terms, more than a little boring.

Of course, there are people who wouldn't be caught dead with a patch but who nevertheless want the world to know which side they're on. (If it's truly a mass movement, there ought to be at least a few Dior coats and Manolos in the crowd.) For these types, we recommend http://skystoneandsilver.com, a site that offers sterling silver peace sign pendant, rings, lapel pins, and for capitalists against the war, even a money clip.


These peace sign items are still as popular as ever and I am enjoying shipping them all over the world! Feel free to take a look at my desings and let me know what you think @
http://www.skystoneandsilver.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?page=sky/PROD//classicpeacesign

Great Father's Day Gift Ideas!

You can check out our unique classic car moneyclips on our website @ skystoneandsilver.com and in the Father's Day edition of California Car Cover Co. Magazine!

These gorgeous sterling silver money clips depict the unforgettable contours of many American classics, with images that will last for decades. Artist Rick Sindeband's workmanship exemplifies quality other jewelers are judged by.

Each of the five featured money clips measures 1.75" x 1" x 1mm thick.

They include a choice of:1934 Ford, 1939 Ford, 2005 Corvette, 1957 Chevy each @ $144.99 and the chevy bowtie @ $134.99 each

Any of these unique clips would be sure to make your father's day!

NOTE: The 1957 Chevy is being exclusively sold through California Car Cover Co.

Check out this link for the rest of our similar products:

http://www.skystoneandsilver.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?page=sky/CTGY/T1

Veterinary Symbol Jewelry

Graduation is just around the corner and some of our friends know people who are graduating form Veterinary Schools. In the past our Veterinary Jewelry has made great gifts for these friends and loved ones. Some of the greatest inspirations for our Veterinary caduceus jewelry is the stories behind the pieces. Our Veterinary Key Chain, for example, was designed for one of our customers who had a wonderful experience with some Veterinarians after devastating Katrina, and wanted to show her appreciation for the care of her animals. If you don't find what you're looking for in our catalog, just call us. We love to hear our customers design ideas, and we will make a perfect piece just for you.

See more Veterinary Jewelry
http://www.skystoneandsilver.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?page=sky/CTGY/vt

Ed Hardy watches now available!

Click the link to see our watch slideshow!

http://s679.photobucket.com/albums/vv154/skystoneandsilver/?action=view&current=ee36279e.pbw

Skystone and Silver LLC is now a liscensed dealer for Ed Hardy watches by Christian Audigier. Each Ed Hardy watch is produced using the latest technology. All watches are individually tested and have passed quality controls. Each watch is packaged in a custom box and carries a two-year warranty from date of purchase. We have several styles available and the prices are a great deal!

We currently have styles in all the following categories as they are available:

Mens: Gladiator, First Class, Apollo, Mercenary, Samurai, Kool Steel, Industrial, Revolution,Undercover, Speeder, Warrior

Womens: Chic, Antoinette, Rebelle, Love Child, Lynx, Show Girl, Temptress

E-mail us if you are interested in checking out what is available @ rick@skystoneandsilver.com

Custom Money Clips

What is a handmade Money Clip?

They are not mass produced. Each piece is made individually by a craftsman and every one is slightly different, making them a piece of art.

What do I get when I order a handmade Money Clip from Rick Sindeband at Skystone and Silver?

You get a solid piece of Sterling Silver or 14k Gold that has been hand cut from a large sheet of metal.The piece is flattened with a hammer and hallmarked with the artist's mark and a quality stamp,the edges are rounded with a file. If the Clip is to be appliqued or overlayed (that is artwork made and attached to the clip by Silver soldering), then the clip is bent and prepared for soldering. If the Clip is to be cutout or see-thru, then the metal is cut out to make the design before the clip is bent. No soldering is necessary in this process.

If you are ordering a design that must be attached to the clip, this artwork has to be drawn to scale so that when cut out of Sterling Silver, Brass, Copper or Gold, it will fit properly on the Clip. This cutting only involves the use of a hand jewelers saw and a tiny drill. Artwork could be cast from a master model and attached to the clip. You will see most artwork for clips is made this way. I currently only have one design that I cast; most in my line of clips are fabricated from scratch. If you are ordering a cutout design, I drill the holes in the proper place and cut
everything out that is not wanted. Then while the clip is still flat, I add any stamping or line work. This is done with a little tool called a stamp. This stamp is struck with a hammer at just the right force to give the desired effect. Most of the stamps that I use are handmade out of steel. The Clip is bent before soldering and after being cutout. If soldered, the clip must cool and then it is put in a hot acid bath called Pickle. After the pickle, the polishing begins. If oxidizing is needed, it is applied at this time. Oxidizing gives some black highlights to the piece and looks great when done properly. Polishing is done in a two step process. A pre-polish which helps remove fine scratches and a final polish for the finishing luster. Most of the Money Clips you see are not made in this fashion and are made by machinery. A few of the clips you see are pre-made and castings soldered on top. I look at clips all the time and many are nickel silver or German silver or are plated. There is NO SILVER in nickel silver or German Silver. The myth that only nickel silver holds a spring is false. If Sterling is heated and cooled properly, it has great spring and will last a long time. I currently have over 250 handmade designs, more than any other artist who is currently making Money Clips anywhere in the world. People call every day with ideas about new clips or new artwork for clips, everything from company logos to sayings.

BACK TO SKYSTONE and SILVER

See all the Money Clips

May's Birthstone "EMERALD"

So popular as a gemstone has Emerald been (and for so long) that one of the standard gem stone cuts has even been named after the stone which looks its best when cut in that way.

The mining of Emeralds has been dated back to more than 3,000 years ago, during the time of the Ancient Egyptian Empire. Emerald bracelets, Emerald earrings and Emerald rings have all been worn and sought after since ancient times.

The "green fire" was so mesmerizing and highly valued in the courts of Europe that the Spanish Conquistadors went on a bloody campaign to find the location of the emerald mines in South America. In 1557, the campaign finally ended with the discovery of the spectacular Muzo and Chivor mines in present day Colombia - still the world's major source.

Today Brazil and Zambia produce large quantities of fine Emeralds; however, many still consider Colombian emeralds to be of the highest quality. Very fine emeralds, though in small quantity, are also produced in Pakistan and Zimbabwe. Emeralds of Zimbabwean origin are sometimes called "Sandawana" Emeralds, which refers to the region where the gemstones are mined.

Emeralds are made of the base mineral Beryl, with minute traces of chromium and vanadium giving this gemstone the "green fire". Colombian Emeralds are known for their vivid green color, while Brazilian Emeralds are known for their variety of color, ranging from light green to fine medium dark green.

It is quite rare to find emeralds of fine quality over one carat in size, for large Emeralds sometimes contain eye-visible inclusions, known as "jardin" or the "garden".

With hardness close to 8 on the Moh's scale, Emeralds are quite durable. However, ultrasonic and steam cleaning could damage the stone, causing fractures. Therefore, only professional jewelers should clean Emeralds.

Clarity and transparency are the most important characteristics when evaluating the value of Emeralds. When evaluating from a face up position, very fine quality Emeralds should enable the viewer to see the back facet. The brightness of the gemstone, which is determined by the cutting and the number of inclusions, is also an important evaluation factor. Intense medium green Emeralds command the highest value. The purity of the green color is crucial to the value and the beauty of the stone, with blue or yellow overtones diminishing its value.

Skystone and Silver has a large inventory of nice Emeralds at our disposal. We would be glad to quote one for you either mounted or loose.