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FAQs

Here is a list of my most frequently asked questions. Can't find the answer to your question? Reach out here.

Ordering

You can shop all of my work here! I always post an overview of featured designs in my Instagram stories and my IG feed a day or two prior to the updates.

Dates are always posted on Instagram and on my website announcement banner. And, if you would like email reminders, feel free to sign up for my newsletter

Pricing varies and depends upon the metals and stones used and the complexity of the designs. Metal prices do fluctuate, which impacts my pricing as well.

I’d say the average cost for a piece of my jewelry is between $300 - $500, with higher pricing for more complex pieces. You'll find that some of my CORE Collection pieces, especially earrings designed for everyday wear, are at a lower price point.

I am no longer selling on Etsy. You can find my jewelry on my website.

Ruby + Revolver shop updates and all other good things are announced in my newsletter and on Instagram

So many folks reach out to me about creating a custom design. Their stories touch my heart and I wish I could say yes. But I truly can’t give custom designs the time and attention they deserve. So my current focus is increasing the number of pieces in each shop update so that more people can access them.

As every piece is made by hand, I don't have the bandwidth to build up inventory or to accommodate wholesale accounts.

I love a good trade…however. as jewelry is my only income, I need to keep my trades to a minimum. I wish I had the time and energy to participate in more trades... I just don't.

Pre-order means that a piece of jewelry is purchased and paid for in full before I produce it. The current production time for my pre-order designs is three months. And I only offer pre-orders for CORE Collection designs.You can expect to see CORE Collectipn updates at leaset once per quarter.

When I update my shop with new jewelry, everything tends to sell out rather quickly, so I don’t have stock jewelry or inventory. However, I do have regular shop updates. I also offer a limited number of pieces in my CORE Collection that are available for pre-order which means more folks can place orders. The CORE Collection is updated quarterly, and when I can, more often than that.

This can be tricky, and as a person living in the sticks with terrible internet service, I can relate to the struggle!  

  • It's a good idea to come to the website a few minutes before a scheduled update and prepare your payment info beforehand. Please ensure your shipping address is correct to avoid any hang-ups with shipping. 
  • When the update time comes, hit the refresh button to see the new listings.
  • If you have your heart set on something particular, completing the transaction before adding additional items to your cart is best.  Adding multiple items at one time means you risk losing all of them.
  • And a happy, lighthearted nature is always appreciated in these sales. If you miss out I promise I'll be working hard to restock the shop again for the next go around!

Unfortunately, this can happen, especially if you take time to look at a variety of pieces and mull them over before purchasing. Pieces you are considering can be in a number of carts at the same time. and are only secured when you check out and complete your purchase.

Please email rubyandrevolver@gmail.com and my assistant Hilary will make the update.

It’s best if you know your true ring size.And if you aren't sure, visit a local jewelry store and ask to use their ring sizer.

Resizing rings made of reclaimed metal is tricky, espcially if there are elements such as stones or engraving involved.

Each piece of Ruby + Revolver jewelry is hand-made. We do not accept returns or exchanges, or refund your money unless there is a defect. In that case, please email us directly at rubyandrevolver@gmail.com and include photographs showing the area you are concerned about. We’ll get back to you right away.

Shipping

I live rurally and only make it to the post office once a week. So, most items are shipped about a week after the purchase is made. Note that CORE Collection pre-orders ship three months after purchase.

The CORE Collection designs give me the ability to offer simple, everyday jewelry to a larger number of people.

Pre-Orders allow me to purchase materials based on the actual number of orders placed. I can take the time I need to produce a larger volume of jewelry and then send the pieces out within three months from the purchase date.

Absolutely - I have shipped many orders to Canada and other international destinations!

Please email rubyandrevolver@gmail.com and my assistant Hilary will make the update.

In the rare event that a package goes missing, please reach out to us via email at rubyandrevolver@gmail.com. We’ll look at our end to see if there’s information or updates to share.

We also suggest leaving a note for your postal carrier and checking with your neighbors and your local post office.

The next step is to file a claim. We fully insure every order that is shipped. Once the claim has been processed, we will refund your money. Note that this can take a few months.

Unfortunately, if the package has been delivered but is missing, it may have been stolen. Unfortunately, we cannot file a claim or refund your money once your package has been marked as delivered.

Please reach out to us via email at rubyandrevolver@gmail.com. It's helps if you share your order number when you reach out.

Please reach out to us via email at rubyandrevolver@gmail.com as soon as possible. We can easily delay shipping, but given our rural location, it is difficult for us to expedite shipping or accommodate a specific shipping date.

Materials & My Process

"Reclaimed" means the items or materials used to make my pieces are re-purposed and recycled. And nearly every piece I create includes at least 50% reclaimed metal. 

All the pieces in my collections are handmade and hand-finished using natural and reclaimed materials. Because of this, no two items are exactly alike or perfect. Handmade items will have natural imperfections. These slight imperfections give handcrafted items their innate, soulful character and appeal. It's not for everyone… but I like a little old soul in every piece I create.

Gold-filled jewelry is made by pressure bonding an actual layer of gold to another metal.

While it is harder and more durable than gold jewelry, I no longer use gold fill for any soldered work. Over time, gold-fill jewelry will tarnish and show signs of wear. This stands in contrast to the enduring quality of solid gold.

The hardness of gold varies by karat, which is a measure of the percentage of pure gold in a gold alloy. Pure gold is very soft and malleable, so other metals are added to make it stronger and more durable, such as silver, copper, or bronze.

As karats decrease, the less “pure” the gold. Higher karats also give a brighter, true yellow hue that is difficult to achieve in the lower karats. The bottom line~the higher the karat number, the more pure gold comprises the metal.

  • 24k - Pure gold with a Mohs hardness of 2.5. It's a bit soft for everyday use. It is most often used for hand-engraved or filagree pieces. 
  • 18k - 75% pure gold, with a Mohs hardness of around 2.75. It is delicate and is used most often for high-end fine jewelry. 
  • 14k - 58.3% pure gold, with a Mohs hardness of around 3–4. It's a popular choice for jewelry because it's durable enough for everyday wear. 

Unfortunately, I do not repair jewelry. I don't have the time to focus on anything other than creating original jewelry pieces. Best of luck in your search for a qualified jewelry repair artist.

Background & Other Info

I'm a self-taught metalsmith, and to this day, I still have never taken a class...although I'd like to! It's on my bucket list. 

I’ve made many mistakes, burnt metal to a crisp, and spent hours plain ol' messing around. So, trial and error have been my key as I learn by doing. 

There weren't any local classes when I started, and I was pretty broke. So, I read books and scoured pawn shops to obtain the necessary tools. Initially I played around with copper, mainly because it is much more affordable than gold or silver. And things just went forward from there. I'm still learning and improving, still lacking in many areas, but I enjoy the process and love the craft. It's a lifelong journey, of that I am sure.

I was nervous about metalsmithing when pregnant. But, as this is how I make my living, I had to keep going, so I did a little research and modified a few things for safety. 

I am by no means an expert, but here's what worked for me: 

  1. I bought a good respirator, first and foremost
  2. I installed a commercial-grade vent that vents to the outside. I always have it turned on when using my torch, oxidizing, buffing, or sanding. 
  3. And, I open windows whenever possible, but this option isn't always available in the cold Northwestern winters. 
  4. I wash my hands a million times and use gloves when handling hazardous materials such as pickling and oxidizing solutions.

Find your voice. And put your time in. Honestly...that's the best I can give. People create work that speaks to others from their souls and when they can draw from their unique perspectives and history. Because really...there are a lot of amazing artists out there, and the only thing that distinguishes you...is you, it's all we've got. 

And this website is a great all-around resource: www.metalsmithsociety.com

I have in the past...and I'd like to revisit it, but my schedule is packed with designing new pieces, fulfilling orders, my growing animal sanctuary, and my family.

This is a big state, and personal preferences vary so widely. If you're asking me, I'm guessing it’s because you like the outdoors, and for that, the options are endless. I don't spend much time in town and live remotely in the woods. So if you want to know about the nightlife, I’m the wrong person to ask.

There are obvious places such as the national parks. Glacier and Yellowstone are both gorgeous and incredible. But I tend not to spend too much time in places where I can't take my dogs, so a guidebook is best here. 

There are great rivers here to kayak, fish, and raft. Depending on the season, you can find various classes, day trips, and wilderness multi-day floats. There are backpacking, car camping, and climbing opportunities all over this great state, and plenty of wildlife to watch, ridges to ramble, and peaks to bag. And, of course, guides are available at local gear shops to help you get there.