FAQ

Though jewelry has been in my life since I was a child, there were several defining moments over three years at the change of the century. 1998-2001.

I sold pieces I made at a store in a neighboring city. My friend and I were making jewelry of hemp and beads, enjoying showing off all our cool beads and making stuff together. I decided to go to the big city, Louisville, KY to have a hippy, head shop type store sell my necklaces. When summer ended, I got paid! Sweet! Now how do I learn “real” jewelry-making, the kind made of precious materials? At the time, I figured I’ll probably be perpetually single and have to make nice jewelry for myself!

I spoke with the only goldsmith in the yellow pages. This lovely person is the owner and jeweler of his shop and spent at least 45 minutes on the phone with me, a stranger. David spoke of the different specialties in the making of jewelry and the schools that taught classes. But throughout it all, and what resonated with me, I could hear how much he loved working in jewelry.

3 Books converged, two as guides to finding my passion, the other to the literal doorstep of my apprenticeship. I was exploring ideas of my "ideal career path” as I read “What Color Is Your Parachute?”. Then my brain combined the boys' personalities vs what their jobs as adults were in a Stephen King novel. Weird, I know...the brain is an amazing machine. So it got me thinking, what did I do as a child, that would make an interesting, unique career path? A couple of days later, I’m combing the streets for a travel agency job when I land at the doorstep of what would become my apprenticeship. I look up at the golden arch above a doorway and the name reads, “Mithril”. Now for you LOTR lovers, you will know this is a made-up metal used in the famous JRR Tolkien books (that I’ve read yearly since I was 12 or younger). Well, Universe, I’ll check it out, and thank you for my future! I got paid to learn.

Retail and Wholesale Repair and Restoration services help regular folk or jewelers with limitations, small and large jewelers, antique jewelry stores, pawnshops, and boutiques.  

Studio One-Of-A-Kind or Collection pieces benefit those interested in our Precious Hammer Jewelry Studio Designs. Set up to mix-and-match and have more quality than those that cater to the masses, these designs are made to order as-is or customized. Every piece in our collection can be specially made-to-order and modified down to the smallest detail. Personalize one of our designs by selecting your preferred stone—color, shape, size, and cut. Choose from a range of metal alloys and embellish with delicate details—such as diamonds and hand engraving. I’ll be on-hand to guide you through our collections and reveal the unique qualities that give these precious materials their distinctive beauty.

Customizing

Explore our collection.

Select your favorite pieces, identifying them by name, design, and style (eg. solitaire, three stone, halo, etc).

Note any changes, additions or special details you’d like to include in your modified design.

Contact us to arrange your customizing consultation. Over a complimentary 30-minute consultation appointment with me, you’ll learn what you wish about diamonds and our procurement process, timelines, ring sizing, and the final details such as delivery options.

 Available at www.precioushammer.com and/or select retailers. We love our unique stones, so some pieces will be OOAK (One-of-a-Kind).

Custom and Re-Styling is available to those excited to explore their style, whether its a twist on a classic for work, a statement piece or becoming your jeweler. Heirloom owners can benefit from my professional antique jewelry restoration experience by either Restoring or Re-styling into a new heirloom while keeping sentimentality safe and cozy.  

Making a custom engagement ring is a joy that lasts for ages. I enjoy incorporating spiritual intention into the pieces, depending on the client. Happy to adorn those who identify as LGBTQ+, sci-fi/fantasy nerds, and introverts. By the way, if you are not a “jewelry person” or are looking to gift to one, Custom can be items other than jewelry... like golf markers, wine charms, and keychains, etc.

Not all jewelry education is created equal. However, I lucked out and got an experience closer to what a classically trained goldsmith would have. My training involved learning the craft from melting down metals, making alloys, working the metal with fire, hammers, rolling mills and a variety of other tools. I’d look over shoulders to see the techniques used on more difficult tasks, and assist our wax carver in the molding and casting process. I also set up the showcases, getting creative reign, learning the different gemstones and helping customers. All in all, a pretty full spectrum of the industry as a beginner.  

A social friend introduced me to a lapidary friend of his. So, I spent a few weekends learning to cut and polish stones from rough, making several pendants as well. I liked it enough to buy a little machine and cut cabochon stones that may get incorporated into my jewelry. I even went sapphire mining in Montana in 2017.

Every workshop I have worked in and mentor I’ve had has been different. Repair and stone setting have taught me a ton about the making of jewelry and working with metals and stones. Almost a decade of specializing in antique jewelry restoration has taught me old crafting methods, history, and to work a laser welder on platinum filigree like nobody's business! I’ve had the privilege of making jewelry for others from scratch and I adore creating a piece of jewelry that takes the person’s personality and blends it into a wardrobe staple, hence the Custom Questionnaire.

Books are great as a reference, but in the end, hands-on is the best way to learn and increase your skillset. Whether on the bench in the back or assisting customers in the front, all aspects combine to form an “expertise”. After 20 years, I feel great about what I know and love adding to the never-ending mastery of jewelry. It also doesn’t hurt to be married to a classically trained, 30-year career goldsmith, whose work takes my breath away.

Good gifts come in small packages! Because of the Custom Questionnaire, you will have gone through the design collaboration and made any adjustments at certain points of the process giving you confidence in your decision. When you put the piece on, you will feel amazing, because now you know how resonating with your jewelry can fill your heart and become a tool of concentration, dedication or remembrance. You receive a piece of jewelry that was made especially for you. Taking your Style, Personality, and Needs into consideration. You can rest assured to have a quality, hand-crafted, personalized, resonant addition to your jewelry wardrobe. A Precious Hammer gift of love. 

PayPal accepting Mastercard, Visa, Discover, and American Express

Collection pieces: 

Paid in Full at time of order.

One-Of-A-Kind (OOAK) pieces are first come, first served: 

Paid in Full or 

Non-Refundable Deposit of 50% with Monthly payments per private agreement.  

Shipped once paid in full.

Custom: 

50% Non-Refundable Deposit, Remainder due at Completion. 

Wholesale:

Monthly or as agreed

One full-year guarantee on craftsmanship

Lifetime free cleaning and inspection. 

Every person is different in how hard they wear their jewelry. However, these pieces were designed with your lifestyle in mind and are made to last if taken care of responsibly. Your jewelry has the potential to last generations.

Jewelry is just Metal and Mineral after all, and will eventually show wear and tear and need maintenance from time to time, any Precious Hammer Jewelry Studio pieces needing some re-loving will enjoy discounted rates provided no outside work has been done.

I’ll be building a treasure trove of info, helpful advice and folklore so, stay tuned! Join our Precious Hammer Newsletter, the monthly New Moon Magazine.

All sorts of jewelry needs are met here. We are Problem-Solvers.

Studio Born Collections are already designed for you, just choose your metal and maybe a stone! Made to order. 

Precious Hammer One-Of-A-Kind (OOAK) pieces are already made for just the right person first come, first served!

If for some reason, I cannot help you, I will try my best to assist you in moving forward in your goals.

The process for Custom work is usually 4-8 weeks, depending on workload, sourcing certain stones, and communication. Many times sooner. If there is a timeframe needed I will consider that as best as possible.

Large indents from a ring that is way to tight, is something I can help you with.

If you cannot remove your ring, it can be cut off of your finger.

I suggest a jeweler, such as myself. In emergencies, the emergency room and fire department can help you. You may try mild soapy water, windex, or a bit of olive oil to lubricate. I hesitate to use ice water to reduce swelling because many stones can break with extreme temperature changes.

Have your finger slightly bent (prevents the skin at your knuckles from bunching up), and twist, toggle your ring off.

If you can remove your ring, allow 10-14 days to let your finger come to its natural state. Now your finger is ready to be sized properly.

A bit of advice, Get sized in the spring and fall. If you've had a lot of salt, or its been hot and your fingers have swollen, this is temporary. And opposite, if your hands are cold and a bit smaller than ususal and your rings are loose, also temporary.

You know your hands best, and fingers taper differently. Unfortunately, the same finger on the other hand is not necessarily the same size.

The right size will go on smoothly and come off with a slight effort.