Glass, Inlay and Resin
What is it and why does it matter?
Years of research, trial and development has made us the industry leader worldwide. Through our innovative and progressive preservation process we were able to successfully develop and implement a glass keepsake jewellery range that is not only functional but also recyclable and eco friendly.
BREASTMILK IN GLASS
Our unique preservation process has been adapted allowing us to combine it with glass ensuring that your breastmilk is fused and permanently imbedded in your creation. Once fused, a multitude of striations and bubbles are visible. Air bubbles within the glass is common and gets formed when the air is trapped between the glass and is evidence of containing your breastmilk. The fused glass can then be manipulated, heated and stretched and used to create unique, one of a kind fused glass or lamp worked creation. Breast milk is an organic material and without our unique process it would merely burn away. The fusing process aid in stabilising and colouring the breast milk residue for a visually pleasing piece of jewellery.
A Real Success
CREMATION ASHES IN GLASS
We are able to permanently imbed your beloved's cremation ashes in any of our glass creations. Cremation ashes can be used in lamp work and fused glass items.
A Real Success
HAIR IN GLASS
Human and animal hair, nails, hoofs and feathers is made of a tough protein called keratin. Keratin fills up around 70-85 % of human hair and as it is non biodegradable, it is widely used in industrial and domestic applications. Exposing human hair to extreme heat and temperatures will cause rapid incineration with no visible residue. However, by isolating the keratin from hair through a lengthy process of pre treatments and using prepared solutions, we have perfected the process of extracting keratin from hair leaving a protein structure that can be fused in glass.
Stringers (thin glass rods) are made from the keratin which is visible as slivers in the glass. The stringer is then used to make a unique creation. During the lamp working process, the slivers may contract forming air pockets or air trails which are distinctly visible.
The slivers do not affect the structural integrity of the glass.
A Real Success
SAND IN GLASS
We are able to permanently imbed sand from your favourite holiday or memorable place in any of our glass creations. Sand is suitable in lamp worked items.
A Real Success
BREASTMILK IN RESIN
Our breastmilk preservation process was developed in house and bears no resemblance to any other breastmilk keepsake provider's process. Due to our very unique formula, we are able to create three dimensional shapes without moulds and graduated tinting can be added to the breastmilk to make it truly unique - our rainbow breastmilk spirals are an example of this. The preserved breastmilk will never change colour as many other providers have the misfortune of experiencing. Should you wish at a later stage to convert your resin breastmilk keepsake to glass, our process allows us to use your existing keepsake / jewellery creation, extract the breastmilk part and permanently imbed it in glass.
A Real Success
GLASS JEWELLERY & KEEPSAKE RANGE
Glass is formed either by fusing or on a burner torch.
FUSED GLASS
Glass fusing is the process of joining together of pieces of glass at high temperature. This is usually done in a kiln using temperatures ranging from 700 °C (1,292 °F) to 820 °C (1,510 °F).
The fusing process requires the glass to be heated slowly over a number of hours until the correct temperature is reached (fusing temperature), whereafter the glass will be annealed. Annealing is a process of slowly cooling hot glass objects after they have been formed, to relieve residual internal stresses introduced during the manufacturing process. Kiln annealing ensures durability of glass items.
Some glass fused items will undergo several kiln cycles before it reaches its desired result. Each cycle takes around 12-18 hours to complete.
It is suitable for breastmilk and cremation ashes and typically used to make cabochons (domed obverse with a flat reverse) suitable for rings and pendants.
FLAMEWORKING
Lampworking is a type of glasswork where a torch or lamp is primarily used to melt the glass. Once in a molten state, the glass is formed by blowing and shaping with tools and hand movements. It is also known as flameworking or torchworking.
Glass rods are used in making lampworked items. Rods are typically 7-8 mm in diameter. Detailed work and decoration is added using stringers. Stringers are glass rods around 1-3 mm in diameter.
Glass creations using rods and stringers are melted in a flame temperature reaching up to 2,760 °C (5,000°F).
After the creation is complete, it will undergo another 12 hour kiln annealing cycle to ensure durability.
It is suitable for breastmilk, cremation ashes and locks of hair. We have also recently successfully fused umbilical cord / placenta in glass.
Is typically used to make 3 dimensional items including earrings, rings, charm beads, bead and pendants.
HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR GLASS
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Suitable for everyday wear.
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As it is made of glass, rough handling / knocks can chip / damage it.
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Your creation is UV proof and resistant to any other environmental factors.
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Your breastmilk will NEVER discolour, change appearance or alter in any way, making it the durable and long lasting.
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The breastmilk is processed and imbedded in the glass. It is not liquid and as such will not evaporate.
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You can do every day activities with your unique creation. However, findings (the ring bands, pendant holders, etc), needs to be treated with care to avoid damage or loss to it. Some findings are attached with adhesive and chemicals will dissolve the adhesive over time.
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Remove your jewellery when working with any chemicals.
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We would recommend you take your jewellery off while swimming or bathing, just to err on the side of caution. It should be treated like fine jewellery and the findings could get damaged causing you to loose your glass inclusion.
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Be mindful of your jewellery, these are durable, yet precious keepsakes.
INLAY JEWELLERY & KEEPSAKE RANGE
Modernising ancient techniques
The Chinese have been using semi-precious stone inlays and carving on their furniture since the early Qing dynasty of the 17th century, when the trend was more towards decorative and luxurious furnishings.
The inlay process has been modernised over recent years and we use the same principles in our inlay work.
Our inlay process uses ancient principles with keepsake inclusions. For non breastmilk inclusions, we use traditional inlay techniques.
For breastmilk, breastmilk fused glass will be crushed and inlaid using inlay techniques into a setting or channel.
Inlay is much more durable, hard wearing and longer lasting than resin only creations.
It Is suitable for all breastmilk and non breastmilk inclusions. We typically used the inlay process when making rings, charm beads and pendants. A resin layer can add a domed effect and gloss. Typically inlay work is flat with a mat appearance. Lighter coloured non-breastmilk inclusions like blonde / white hair is best suited over a very light or white background.
NOTICE
WE NO LONGER OFFER RESIN AS STANDARD SHOP ITEMS, BUT DO OFFER THEM AS BESPOKE ITEMS. PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH US TO DISCUSS YOUR REQUIREMENTS.
RESIN
Synthetic resins are industrially produced resin, typically viscous substances that convert into rigid polymers by the process of curing. Resin is a form of plastic, that is affected by the environment.
Resin can be used to encase almost any type of inclusion, including breastmilk, hair, sand, cloth, umbilical cords, cremation ashes, teeth.
WHAT HAPPENS TO RESIN?
UV light is to blame for changes to cured resin over time. When UV light hits the resin—either directly or indirectly—it degrades the polymers. Although this degradation from UV light is a natural process (UV light is typically always harmful to everything on earth over time), it causes observable, undesirable, aesthetically displeasing characteristics, such as gloss loss, de-lamination, cracking, chalking and yellowing.
UV stabilisers are very effective at preventing gloss loss, de-lamination, cracking and chalking, but they merely delay discolouration. In other words, yellowing is still inevitable with a UV stabiliser. Yellowing first presents as a light tone all over, then progressively darkens until it reaches a dark brownish-yellow hue. Yellowing will be accelerated with exposure to UV light. A resined piece that is placed outside will generally reach its dark brown-yellow colour within hours or even days. Discolouration has also been demonstrated in pieces that have been kept in complete darkness.
We use polyurethane ("PU") resin which is more expensive than regular epoxy, urethane or hybrid resins. PU resin is more water clear, UV stable, mercury free and cures to a Shore D of around 85-90 (around the hardness of a safety hardhat). To reduce the amount of bubbles in the resin, we vacuum and degas all resin before casting.
TARNISHING
Every piece of silver jewellery develops a black coating on its surface after some time. This tarnish is a result of a chemical reaction that occurs when silver comes into contact with air and various substances. Silver tarnish is a form of corrosion, but unlike rust, it does not destroy the underlying metal and can be removed relatively easily.
There is no way to protect your silver jewellery from turning black because silver reacts with so many materials found in everyday life. For instance, tarnishing can be accelerated by contact with tap water (because it contains chlorine), a number of foods (e.g., salad dressings), your perfume and hair spray, and even wool clothing. The tarnishing process increases in hot, humid conditions. Oils from your skin accumulate on the surface and can cause rapid oxidation (blackening of the jewellery).
The main cause of tarnishing of silver is a trace of hydrogen sulfide gas in the air. This gas is particularly present in smoke from burnt raw fuel, such as coal or oil; in some strong smelling foodstuffs, such as eggs and onions; in some fish or shellfish; and in polluted air.
The tarnish may turn the jewellery black and may also be rubbed off on the skin or clothing. A few people with especially moist skin may find that the sterling silver stains their skin green. This is due to the copper component of the silver alloy. When this occurs you should polish your jewellery frequently and use an absorbent powder on those moist skin areas which come into contact with your jewellery.
Medications in the wearer's system, especially certain antibiotics, can also cause jewellery to blacken or discolour.
While tarnishing is a natural process that cannot be prevented, it can be slowed down, but you will still need to clean the tarnished layer at some point. The most effective prevention is to clean your silver jewellery after wearing it, preferably daily.
Please note, we cannot be held responsible for the frequency or rapidness of jewellery tarnishing.
We advise you to check your creations regularly for signs of damage. With some creations, jump rings and other jewellery findings are used to secure the creation. Please ensure that you regularly check that the findings are securely fastened and that there are no broken or loose pieces. We cannot be held responsible if your creation becomes detached or lost.