Celebrate the beauty of genuine gemstones with Elemental Gems jewelry showcasing all that nature has grown organically. Join second-generation jeweler Bryan Harper as he takes you on an exploration for all things gemstones, from semi-precious faceted stones to unique opaques to different varietals of turquoise. Set in sterling silver with 18K yellow gold or platinum plating, each piece has a distinct design with elements enhancing the stones mined from the earth such as texturing, motifs and more.
All weights pertaining to gemstones, including diamonds, are minimum weights. Additionally, please note that many gemstones are treated to enhance their beauty. View Gemstone Enhancements and Special Care Requirements for important information.
Vermeil Plating:
Pronounced "vermay," vermeil is an electroplating process in which 14K gold or higher is coated over sterling silver. Officially designated by the jewelry industry, items may only be sold as vermeil if they have a minimum thickness of 100 millionths of an inch (2.5 microns) of gold over the silver. Regular gold plating is less than 2.5 microns.
The "vermeil" technique of plating sterling silver with gold originated in France in the 1750s. It differs from "gold filled" or "gold plated" in terms of the thickness or thinness of the microns over sterling silver. "Gold filled" pieces have a much thicker layer, between 15 and 45 microns, which is mechanically bonded to the base metal with heat and pressure. Vermeil is a more expensive version of "gold plated". It does not wear off as quickly as gold plating does. However, over time, vermeil wears off and therefore will require re-plating.
Gold/Platinum Embraced Silver or Bronze:
Our platinum and gold embraced collections feature layers of platinum or gold over sterling silver or bronze for a lustrous, radiant finish everywhere you look and touch.
To care for your plated jewelry items:
Prasiolite:
Prasiolite, also known as vermarine or praziolite, is a transparent green quartz. Quite rare in nature, most prasiolites on the market are heat treated amethysts, which is why they are sometimes called "green amethysts". Not all heated amethysts result in green hued prasiolites, however. Only amethysts from a few select locations, including Montezuma, Brazil and Arizona, will produce prasiolites when heat treated. Naturally occurring prasiolite has been reported in Poland.
Prasiolite is considered by some to be a true collector's gemstone due to its rarity. Relatively inexpensive, its popularity has grown in recent years with large, clean, color saturated stones as the most valuable and desirable. The color of prasiolite can vary from light yellow-green to deep green, and can look similar to peridot and tourmaline. Ranking 7.0 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, prasiolite is ideal for everyday wear. Clean the stone with warm soapy water and a soft brush while keeping it away from household chemicals. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat or sunlight may cause damage and discoloration. Store your jewelry in a fabric lined box and away from other items and gemstones to avoid scratching.
Derived from the Greek words, "prason" meaning leek, and "lithos" meaning stone, prasiolite was named for its vegetable colored stone appearance. Some believe prasiolite bridges the gap between physical and spiritual aspects of life and attracts prosperity by strengthening the mind and emotions.
Earring Back Types
Butterfly Back: A double looped piece resembling a butterfly that fits over a post. Variations on this design are called push back clasps. The basic post and butterfly back are usually used for stud earrings and lighter weight drop earrings.
Hinged Snap Backs: This clasp features a hinged post that snaps into a groove on the back of the earring. It is commonly found on hoops. Sometimes the hinged post is curved to provide more room to fit around the ear, sometimes called a saddleback.
Hook Backs: This earring backing is simply a long, bent post that fits through the piercing. Hooks have several variations, most notably the shepherd's hook and the French hook. While thin wire hooks reduce the weight of long earrings, making them more comfortable, they aren't as secure as other clasp styles.
Lever Back: A hinged lever snaps shut against the curved post to form a closed loop around the ear lobe. This clasp is very secure and good for large or medium sized styles that drop just below the ear.
Omega: Also called French clips, this clasp has a straight post and a looped lever. The hinged lever closes around the post and is held against the ear with pressure. The omega clasp is the most secure clasp, especially for the larger, heavier earrings.
Screw back: This backing is a slight variation of the standard post and butterfly nut back. Instead of pushing on the back, the nut twists onto the threaded post. A screw back post design is often preferred for expensive diamond stud earrings that require increased security.