c r a f t e d:
every piece of SUN & SELENE jewelry is crafted, set, hammered, and polished in house in our Richmond, VA studio. materials include natural or sustainable gemstones that are mindfully sourced and recycled metals that are nickel free including .935 argentium silver, 14kt gold fill, and 14kt solid gold. earring posts are nickel free .925 sterling silver. scroll down for more info on our metals, materials and jewelry care and cleaning.
d i a m o n d s:
natural or lab grown
we shop our diamonds from trusted sources working in accordance with the Kimberly Process*, independent and family owned stone cutters, sustainably lab grown or recycled from heirloom or estate jewelry. *The Kimberley Process (KP) unites administrations, civil societies, and industry in reducing the flow of conflict diamonds around the world. our lab grown diamonds (LGD) go through an in-depth screening process and are visually, chemically, and physically identical to natural diamonds. each stone is still one of a kind and grown over the course of 2-4 weeks. LGD’s bring the same sparkle and shine as a natural diamond at a more flexible price point for larger carat stones with exceptional color and clarity. the choice between a natural or LGD is a personal and intimate one, there is no wrong choice and the stone you choose will be uniquely yours no matter how it was created.
take a scroll through the Studio Series highlights on Instagram for a behind the scenes look at how some of our favorite pieces are crafted
m e t a l s:
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a high content bright silver that’s antibacterial, more resistant to tarnish, and nickel free. a beautifully resilient metal that can always be polished back to brand new even after a lifetime of love. argentium silver is the sister of the traditional .925 sterling silver (with an additional touch of geranium).
CARE: daily wear will help keep your silver bright and clean, and not in use - storing your pieces in a velvet pouch or box will keep the surface from dulling or oxidizing. 935 Argentium silver has a much higher resistance to tarnish, but proper storage will prevent any surface oxidization.
most heavy tarnish on silver that’s been left out to patina or tarnished from pool/chemically treated water can be cleaned easily in a pinch with a paste of baking soda and water. use your fingers with a paste of baking soda for a natural deep clean or use a toothbrush to scrub with the paste, rinse, and dry! for a really stubborn tarnish (you know that silver ring you let sit out for months on the bathroom shelf???) give it a soak in warmed white vinegar. heat a small bowl of white vinegar, drop your tarnished silver pieces in for 3-5 minutes and watch as they return to bright, clean pieces. Bbush clean with hand soap and water after. this DIY fix works great for jewelry as the acidic nature cleans your metal of any patina or tarnish and is non-toxic!! avoid the vinegar method for any pieces of jewelry with gemstones. -
a solid bond of 14kt gold to a gold tone base metal, usually brass. unlike a plated alternative, 14kt gold fill is a long wear and nickel free gold option with a moderate price point that gives you the warm glow of solid 14kt gold. with proper care it will wear and keep its shine for the life of the piece.
CARE: natural wear and tear will gradually lead to small scratches or a fading of your golds surface. a buff with a polishing pad will help preserve the surface of your piece and keep its shine. casual wear/handwashing will help keep your gold fill pieces bright and clean, and when not in use, storing your pieces in a velvet pouch or box will keep the surface from dulling or oxidizing.
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will last forever with minimal care or maintenance. an ancient earthly element with a bright natural luster.
c a r e:
for a safe, effective clean you can do anytime, a soft bristle toothbrush + mild hand or dish soap will do wonders! doing this when you notice any dulling will clean and remove any dirt or buildup. your silver, gold fill and solid gold pieces can all be polished with your included microfiber pad for a fresh shine and finish with a quick soap and water rinse.
your pieces are safe for day to day showering and hand washing, but do so at your own risk as over exposure to hard water, certain beauty products, salt water, and hand sanitizers can cause surface spots or tarnish (these can be fixed with a quick microfiber polish and clean). pool water chemicals and salt water can cause surface reactions - be aware!!
always avoid prolonged water contact with soft stones like opals, pearls, and emeralds and if ever in doubt - google it first!
opals should always be removed for showering, swimming, washing dishes or anything else that submerges your stone or could expose your stone to harsh cleaners or heavy hand work (gardening, bartending, working out etc…). they’re especially soft and fragile so take extra special care of those opals! :)
NOTE: always use a drain cover when cleaning small items in a sink or basin!!
all pieces come with a lifetime of cleaning, buffing, polishing, sizing or repair.
ways we work
sustainably:
our metal supplier values their responsibility to the environment and operates their facility with nearly 5 acres of solar panels. their operations circulate recycled metals to jewelers and metalsmiths who contribute to that cycle by saving and recycling every scrap of metal from the workbench.
all studio scraps, metal dust, and shavings are recycled through Precious Metals Refining Services. read more about them here.
SUN & SELENE purchases are minimally packed with reusable elements including our velvet pouches and boxes.
online orders are shipped in EcoEnclose bubble mailers that are made from 50% recycled content and 10% post-consumer waste. the mailers have two adhesive strips allowing for us to use the upper strip before shipping, and then customers can use the lower strip for sealing the mailer when making a return or recycling for a future shipment.
wholesale orders are packed in green-line bags which are biodegradable and reusable.