Tone Jewels uses a multitude of materials to create its jewelry. But, there are some common elements found in many of the creations. 

Common elements include Pearls, Gem Stones, Crystals and the Metals.

Below we provide some brief information about these common elements.

Sample right: Glass leaves with dark Topaz Swarovski Crystals accented with 14K Gold-filled chain and ear wires.

Something about Pearls

Pearls play a major role in Tone Jewels.  Pearls come in many forms, both real and artificial - all of which are beautiful.  Tone Jewels will always identify which pearl has been used in each design.

Sample top left: Sterling Silver earrings with nearly round Cultured Freshwater Pearls.

Cultured  Saltwater  Pearls.  These are the prized gems from the sea, typically created by Akoya Oysters (Akoya Pearls).  A bead nucleus is inserted into the oyster.  The pearl "grows" as the "nacre" forms around the nucleus.  "Nacre" is the secretion that makes the "mother-of-pearl" inside the oyster shell.  When the "nacre" develops around an foreign object, a pearl develops.  Saltwater pearls are prized because they have the best luster and are more round than its freshwater counterparts.

Cultured Freshwater Pearls.  Certain freshwater lake and river mollusks also create pearls.  Freshwater pearls, however, begin by inserting a small piece of tissue into the mollusk.  Because it is not bead nucleated, round pearls are extremely rare.

Sample left: Nearly round Cultured Freshwater Pearls with Sterling Silver accents strung and knotted on silk.

Imitation Pearls.  Imitation pearls can add beauty without the expense of genuine cultured pearls. Some of today's most beautiful imitation pearls are the "Shell Pearl" and "Crystal Pearls."  Shell pearls are made from the oyster shell (mother-of-pearl).  The Mother-of-Pearl is ground into a powder and sprayed onto a small mother-of-pearl nucleus until the desired form and size are reached.  Crystal Pearls begin with a crystal nucleus, thereby simulating the weight of a natural pearl.  Swarovski has perfected its technique to create very round, lustrous crystal pearls.  There are also glass and plastic pearls.  Imitation pearls are sometimes sold under names giving them the appearance of genuine pearls, such as "Mallorca Pearls," "Red Sea Pearls," "Laguna Pearls."   But remember, today's imitations can be extremely beautiful.

How to Tell the Difference.  A real pearl is crystalline in nature while an imitation pearl is very smooth.  One common test is to rub a pearl against your teeth, or to rub the pearls together, to feel for smoothness or roughness. These "tests" can scratch genuine pearls.  If you do this test, we suggest that you use the pearls closest to the clasp.

For more detailed information about Pearls, visit the Pearl Guide.

Something about Gem Stones

Gem Stones refer to a multitude of stones ... from diamonds to agate.  Even materials which are not technically "Stones" may sometimes be referred to as gem stones.  Gem Stones also come in a multitude of shapes and sizes, smooth to faceted.  At Tone Jewels, we will identify the Gem Stone used in each creation.  However, Tone Jewels does not employ a certified gemologist.  For more information about Gem Stones and Gemology, go to the Gemological Institute of America or the International Gemological Institute.

Something About Jade and "Jade"

Jade is a Gem Stone which today has many faces.  True "Old" or "Nephrite" Jade,  the gem of Ancient China, is actually pure white.  The colors resulted from various metals found in the Jade's crystalline structure.  Jade's smooth and even texture made it suitable for carving and jewelry.  Today, Jadeite, originally discovered in Burma, is now the more prized and pricier Gem Stone because of its vivid green colors and translucency.

Today, you will find many references to "Jade" ... African, Golden, Black, Olive, Yellow, Malaysian, Mountain, etc. "Jade."  Most of these gem stones are actually not Jade, but are various quartz, marbles and serpentine in their natural or dyed state.  These Gem Stones are called "Jade" because of their smooth Jade-like appearance.  When Tone Jewels uses these materials, you will see the word "Jade," in quotation marks to denote that it is not genuine Jadeite or Nephrite Jade.

Sample top right: Burmese Jade and Freshwater Pearls with Sterling Silver accents.
Sample bottom right: Yellow "Jade" and Sodalite Gemstones with Sterling Silver accents.

Something about Crystal

The "Gold Standard" for crystal is Swarovski.  In the late 1800's, Daniel Swarovski patented a machine which cut crystal faster and more precisely than the  manual method.  By the mid-1900's, Swarovski was also producing its own flawless brilliant crystals.  Since then, Swarovski has established itself as the leader in quality precision crystals, using coloring and surface treatment techniques that create unique colors and enhancements.  Others have tried, and continue to try, to create a crystal to compete with Swarovski crystals and have yet to do so.  There are "hand-cut" crystals on the market but the brilliance of a hand-cut crystal does not rival the brilliance of Swarovski's "Gold Standard" crystal.  The precision with which a crystal is formed and cut determines its brilliance.  As with diamonds and other precious gem stones, the cut makes all the difference in the world.

Sample Top and Bottom Left:  Swarovski crystals with Sterling Silver.

Tone Jewels uses only Swarovski crystals in its designs.

Something about Metals

Tone Jewels is sensitive to those with metal allergies.  All Tone Jewels' creations will identify the metals used.

Metals are used not only for accents, but jewelry can be created entirely of the metal.  Which metal is used effects the character of the piece of jewelry.  The metals used in the jewelry piece will also effect the pricing significantly.  Tone Jewels can use specified metals in custom jewelry.  Absent specification, Tone Jewels uses Sterling Silver, Vermeil or 14K Gold-filled metals in its design.   Below is a brief description of the most common metals used in jewelry.

Sample top right: Vermeil heart-shaped lobster claw clasp.  Sample bottom right: Sterling Silver.

Pure Gold is referred to as 24K.  The closer to pure, the softer the material.  Jewelry gold typically comes in 10K, 14K, 18K or 22K.  The higher the karat, the richer the color of gold.  When Gold is used in jewelry, it should identify the karat of gold used.

Gold-filled is usually 14K or higher gold plating with a minimum of 1/20th weigth layer (100 times more than standard goldplating).  This gold coverage is usually sufficient to protect against sensitivities to base metals.

Vermeil is Goldplated Sterling Silver.  Vermeil has a minimum of 10K and 1.5 micrometers of goldplating.

Sterling Silver is an alloy of silver containing at least 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper.  Other forms of silver also exist, such as Britannia Silver (95.4%) and Mexican Silver (95%).  An alloy containing less than 92.5% silver may not be identified as sterling.

Surgical Stainless Steel is stainless steel but can contain a mix of base metals.   

Goldplated and Silverplated metals are base metals with a very light coating of gold or silver. 

Gold tone and Silver tone refer to gold colored or silver colored metals which typically have no gold or silver plating and may be comprised of base metals or mixtures of base metals to simulate the color of gold or silver.

Base Metals refer to metals which easily corrode or oxidize, such as iron, nickel, lead or zinc.  Metal allergies are often a reaction to one of these metals.  Metals that do not corrode easily are "Noble" metals, which are considered the precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum.

The term "hypo-allergenic" has no quantified standard.  The word simply means "less allergy prone" but has no baseline against which "less" is measured.  Thus Tone Jewels does not represent any metals as "hypo-allergenic."  

For a brief discussion about metal allergies, see the article "The Itch That Won't Quit" found at the American Academy of Dermotology.  As the article states, if you have a reaction to metal, see your physician immediately!

Enjoy our incredible handcrafted jewelry wearable everyday or for special occasions featuring Freshwater Pearls, Swarovski Crystals and Genuine Gem Stones.

Shop at the Tone Jewels Gallery