Peanut's Info Desk!..

Here we hope to answer

the most frequently asked questions

regarding our products and service

If you have a query that is not covered within the following information please email your query direct to us at our studio.

Although we make every effort to ensure that our Web Site is as accurate as possible you may find that some of the products are shown larger than their actual size to allow you to see the detail of their intricate design. Due to the difficulty in getting computer monitors to display the subtle colours of gemstones the colours may vary slightly from monitor to monitor. Because the gemstones are natural no two stones will be identical and natural inclusions may be present.

All descriptive terms used including gold and silver are purely for colour indication only. Fine metals such as Sterling silver/Bali silver/Karen silver or 14ct gold filled will be specifically listed as so.

The Materials We Use To Make Your Jewellery

All our jewellery is designed using only the finest materials to the highest possible standards.

Gemstones

Our gemstone beads and pendants are hand cut and polished so no two beads or pendants are identical. As a completely natural product these beads and pendants will include the naturally occurring inclusions, markings, etc. for which each particular type of stone or crystal are known.

If we use an item which is lab created we will tell you. If we are aware that a stone is dyed, artificially coloured or enhanced in some way we will tell you. These items are very few and far between in our inventory but there are occasionally specific items of jewellery which benefit from their use.

The vast majority of our gemstone pendants are handcrafted by skilled craftsmen and women which makes our jewellery truly individualistic and personal. We will tell you exactly how many we have made of each jewellery piece so you will be able to see exactly how personal your choice will be.

We source our gemstones from all over the world and only select the finest beads and pendants for our designs.

Silver

We currently use five types of silver in our jewellery - Sterling Silver, Bali Silver, Thai Karen Hill Tribe Silver, Alpaca Silver and Tibetan Silver.

Sterling Silver - you will be most familiar with, widely available on the High Street it contains 92.5% silver. Wherever possible ourSterling silver pendants, focal items, beads, clasps, etc. are stamped 925 which is the manufacturers mark for Sterling silver. Most of these items however will have a total Sterling silver weight lower than the amount required for assay hallmarking in the UK so do not have a silver hallmarking stamp.

Bali Silver – the beads we purchase are handmade by Bali silversmiths and are sold to us with a silver content of not less than 92.5%. Some of the beads are made using the “cast” method but the vast majority are completely hand made in that they are hand decorated with intricate wire work, dots, etching and authentic decorations.

Thai Karen Hill Tribe Silver - is produced by the Karen Hill Tribes in Thailand. A special project was set up in the 1960s to provide these tribes with an income which was not dependant on their usual harvest of Opium. Each piece we use is carefully handcrafted by skilled silversmiths. Each piece is completely individual so no two pieces are alike. Thai Karen Hill Tribe silver averages 97% silver content but is more commonly 99.9%. If we are aware of the silver content we will list it in the description of each piece of jewellery we make. If no specific silver content is listed then the minimum will be 97% pure silver.

Peruvian Alpaca Silver – this is not a true silver but is in fact an alloy comprising of zinc, nickel and iron. Very similar to stainless steel, it does not rust or tarnish and if you wish to clean it you simply use a cloth dipped in mild detergent and a few drops of lemon juice. Our Alpaca silver jewellery is handmade by Peruvian artisans and as such no two items are alike.

Tibetan Silver - Tibetan silver is an alloy which contains a minimum of 20% silver but it is not sterling silver. As an alloy of various metals it could contain copper, nickel and zinc as well as silver. All the beads and findings we use are nickel free or very low nickel and lead free in line with current European Directives. Unlike Sterling silver Tibetan silver will not tarnish as fast and in fact improves its shine with wearing. If you wish to clean it at any time simply wash with a mild detergent such as shampoo and dry with a soft cloth to a gleaming shine.

Glass

All our glass beads are handmade.

Gold Filled Jewellery Items

Over the coming months we will begin to include 14ct gold filled materials in our jewellery. These items are NOT gold plate - they are in fact several layers of real 14ct gold filled in most cases with silver. The end result is a bead, clasp or design element which will in fact wear better than 14ct gold as it is stronger and more durable. In the USA gold filled is considered as desirable as Sterling silver. Obviously gold filled items costs more than gold plated items, but the end result is far superior and it allows us to create designs with the look and feel of real 14ct gold but with a more affordable price tag.