QUESTIONS & CURIOSITIES ABOUT FERY JEWELRY.

What does “entirely cut by hand” mean?

All of Fery’s creations are the product of the openwork (traforo) technique. This means that each piece is made by hand, cutting a silver sheet (or high-quality brass) of varying thicknesses (depending on the project), one by one, and with the tools specific to this technique: saw frames and saw blades.
I don’t use stencils or lasers of any kind. Each piece is characterized by slight differences from the others. Each piece is unique. I specialize in single pieces or relatively small productions of the same project.

can you turn a design, logo, or my family initials into jewelry or accessories?

Sure. Send me an email with the design you would like to create in jpeg or gif and we’ll evaluate the feasibility of its translation to metal, taking into account possible modifications and a rough budget.

Which metals do you use in your creations? Do you recycle metals?

All the creations you can see (unless specified) are only and exclusively made in silver 925. I’m used to recycling all the scraps and the dust produced. This means that nothing is wasted. The leftover material is recast and laminated in the lab once more. The recycling process implies that silver with fire becomes purer and purer. The more you melt and recycle, the more it gets purer and increases its value.

There are little details gilded or colored with a galvanic process or by hand or a small part of brass and gold, but you find the details in the jewel description.

Since last year I’ve introduced also high-quality brass. The brass I use is recycled from scraps coming from the production of Italian design lamps made by Anna Lari Light Design.

Silver changes color. Why?

This is perfectly normal, even typical. Silver is a metal subject to oxidation, which is the blackening or yellowing of the metal due to outside factors such as contact with air, dust, or chemical agents.

How Can I get my silver jewelry back to its original color?

There are a number of methods to get polished silver back to its original state.

One option is to use special detergents for silver, which are available in cream or liquid. However, due to their slightly abrasive quality, it’s better not to use them too often.

A more simple and more effective method is to wear your Fery quite often, then wash them to remove sweat or cosmetic residue. You can use neutral hand soap or delicate dish soap.

Another method, especially to remove more stubborn residue, is to fill an aluminum container with water and bicarbonate. The water should be brought to a boil, let it rest for a while, add a couple of teaspoons of bicarbonate soda (in proportion to the amount of water), and submerge your jewel in it. Keep an eye on it and change the doses or soaking time for the desired effect.

If the jewel is scratched or has an opaque effect you don’t like, there is always the option of sending it to a jewelry lab to have them remove the imperfections.

Silver has scratches, it bends, and it gets distorted. Why?

Silver, unlike other metals of the same color, such as titanium or steel, is a more supple and soft metal. Its hardness depends on the way it’s treated and how fragile it is. The more openwork pattern, the more it’s delicate.

By the way, generally speaking about jewelry, it’s important to handle the jewel with care, avoiding any treatment that may deteriorate it or wearing it while doing activities that might break it easily. Once out of the lab, the jewel is under your responsibility, but I will be happy to share tips on the proper handling of each piece according to its necessities.
However, the most important recommendation I can give is to handle each piece with care and store it properly.

Does brass rust? Does brass tarnish?

Brass jewelry doesn’t rust, but it tarnishes. This happens because brass is an alloy of copper and zinc which when exposed to oxygen gets tarnished. Oils from your skin in addition to oxygen in the air might accelerate the process too. By the way, it’s a matter of style and looks. A lot of people enjoying the aging effect on metals, so if you like the patina of tarnished brass let your brass jewelry transform. If you prefer polished jewelry you can clean it in several ways with no problem, unless there’s a special finishing, texture, or patina.

How can I clean my brass jewelry?

There are many ways. The most natural and cheap one involves only neutral soap and warm water, and it’s a perfect way to preserve some kind of patina, too. I suggest testing a corner of your brass jewel, and if you see the patina coming off, better consider a professional cleaning method. Moreover, I suggest not cleaning all the jewelry blackened or with a patina.