Lena Pringle Jewellery | The Jewellery

Materials

Stringing Materials

I take pride in my high standards of workmanship and use only the finest materials. All my beaded pieces are strung on premium quality professional beading wire and elastic cord from reputable suppliers.

Metals

Most of my designs are constructed using silver plate and alloy metals helping keep my designs affordable. Sterling silver is available on request.

Many of the pieces are made with Tibetan silver beads and clasps. This is an alloy of several metals, much like pewter, which may only contain traces of silver.

All the findings I use are sold to me in good faith as nickel & lead free and in accordance with EU guidelines.

Silver-Plated Acrylic

I use good quality silver-plated acrylic beads in a number of designs. These look just like metal but are deceptively lightweight allowing me to create bold designs that are also comfortable to wear.

Glass and Crystal

I use a variety of different glass beads in my designs. I enjoy using silver foil beads, made of transparent glass lined with silver, for my bolder designs and beads with an AB or aurora borealis finish when I'm making more delicate pieces. This is a coating usually applied to one side of a glass or crystal bead that gives the surface a rainbow effect. Firepolished glass beads from the Czech Rupublic are another favourite of mine, as are crystals for their clarity and sparkle.

Gemstones

I use a variety of semi-precious stones - my current favourites are amethyst, ametrine, rainbow fluorite and agate. The colour of many stones is sometimes enhanced with special dyes, so leaving your jewellery in direct sunlight is not advisable since some colours may fade over time.

I do not buy or use any natural coral since I don't wish to contribute in any way to the destruction of the world's coral reefs.

Pearls

The pearls I use are cultured freshwater pearls from China. Occasionally I add good quality glass pearls to my designs. When I do, I state this clearly in the description of the piece.

Caring for your Jewellery

Guidelines to help you keep your handmade jewellery looking as good as new

Please avoid getting your jewellery wet. Always remove it before washing, playing sports, cleaning or gardening.

Avoid contact with personal care products and chemicals, such as cleaning fluids and polishes. Remove your jewellery when applying perfume, hairspray, deoderant, body spray, creams and lotions, and when doing the washing up!

Many gemstones and glass beads are sensitive to heat and light. Their colours may fade if they are left in direct sunlight so it's best to store them in a pouch or box away from direct light.

Also, when storing your jewellery, try to keep pieces apart so that they won't tangle up or rub together.  Coil up necklaces and bracelets loosely and store flat to avoid kinking the beading wire.

Sterling silver, silver plate and other metals will tarnish over time when exposed to the air. To restore your jewellery's original shine you can polish it gently with a purpose-made polishing cloth. Storing your jewellery in polythene bags will also prevent tarnishing.