A sustainable and handmade jewelry dish

Keep your rings ready to use by placing them in this one-of-a-kind, sustainable dish. Blue reflections on the surface of the sea inspired the design of the small “riflessi blu” plate, great for your jewelry, but also as a distinctive object to adorn your home.

Why is this piece sustainable? The “riflessi blu” dish is made using recycled copper and the patina is created with household ingredients such as sea salt, vinegar, and more. Can you buy one before they sell out? Of course, you can! Just click here.

A distinctive jewelry dish for your rings or whatever else you like!

How do I forge silver to make jewelry?

It doesn’t look like an easy metal to work with, but silver is actually malleable and offers the opportunity to create unique pieces. “Forging” is an ancient metalsmithing method that allows controlling the shape of silver and other nonferrous metals by hitting the material with a special hammer. The metal needs to be heated with a torch beforehand.
In the image, this one-of-a-kind pendant (for sale online) is forged using the technique described above.

The one of a kind “planeta infossato necklace” handmade in silver

Sea salt for jewelry-making? Why not.

Using household items like vinegar, lemon, sea salt, and water to handcraft jewelry is nothing new. To make unique pieces, it’s enough to use some imagination… and have a basic knowledge of jewelry-making. These “riflessi blu” earrings – inspired by reflections on the water surface -  are handmade using several products that I found in my house. The process takes two to three days, but it’s worth the wait. What do you think?

Riflessi blu earrings handcrafted in Maddalena Bearzi’s studio, Los Angeles, California, using different techniques and a patina made with household items

Everyday materials for jewelry-making

One of the things that I like the most about jewelry-making is to create pieces that are totally original and one of a kind. I often oxidize silver, bronze, and copper and add patinas to produce exclusive pairs of earrings, rings, cuffs, or necklaces. I also use everyday household materials like sea salt and fine salt, eggs, water, vinegar, etc. to change colors and/or add texture to a specific piece. The result? Pieces that are always different from each other (and fun to make!)

Model Frances wear necklace and earrings from the costellazione collection. These jewels are made by hand using different techniques, including oxidation.

What's a patina finish on jewelry?

I get asked this question many times, so here is my response. Patina is basically a film that develops on the surface of metal over a certain period of time. Due to exposure to open air (and the natural process of oxidation), an aged metal like copper and silver tends to develop a “patina”. A natural patina can take from days to even years to occur but a jeweler can speed up the process by making (or buying) an “artificial” patina. One of the most commonly used patinas on the market for jewelry-making is the liver of sulfur.

This one of a kind and organic-looking silver ring from the “Costellazione” limited-edition collection has been created by the designer using two different kind of hand-made patinas. The final result is totally unique!

This “double-finger”, handcrafted ring makes a statement with its unique patina finish

Dark patina for an edgy ring

Inspired by a wreck found in the abyss, this one of a kind ring finished with balls of solid gold makes a statement on anyone’s hand. The dark patina is what adds that edgy touch to the piece. I often use black or green patina to finish my jewelry pieces. The patina tends to highlight some of the work that I have done on the metal. A black patina always looks great on hammered silver and creates a great contrast with gold!

Relitto striato nero is an one of a kind ring handcrafted by the Italian jewelry designer