FAQ

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" background="044085a3.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>DeVer Originals</B></FONT><B>    </B><B> |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="DeVer Originals"><B>home</B></A></div> <div> back to  <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="DeVer Originals"><B>DeVer Originals</B></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="045d2e83.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Artists Statement">Artist's Statement</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Artists Gallery">Artist's Gallery</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id37.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2009 Show Calendar/Hosting Home Parties">2009 Show Calendar/Hosting Home Parties</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Caring for Your Jewelry">Caring for Your Jewelry</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id34.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Information about Gemstones">Information about Gemstones</A></div> <div> <B>FAQ</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Your Satisfaction is Key...">Your Satisfaction is Key...</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id36.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us/Mailing List">Contact Us/Mailing List</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id38.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Artist Partners/Other Links">Artist Partners/Other Links</A></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><IMG SRC="edaa3400.jpg" border=0 width="163" height="320" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>National Stone of Israel</B></div> <bR> <div>  <form target="paypal" action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post"> <input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_cart"> <input type="hidden" name="business" value="stdever847@aol.com"> <input type="image" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/btn/view_cart.gif" border="0" name="submit" alt="Make payments with PayPal - it's fast, free and secure!"> <input type="hidden" name="display" value="1"> </form>  </div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 width="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFBF0" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I><B><U>Frequently Asked Questions</U></B></I></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#1" TITLE="FAQ">What is 14k gold-filled wire?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="#2" TITLE="FAQ">What is Sterling Silver?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="#argentium_silver" TITLE="FAQ">What is Argentium Sterling Silver?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="#what_is_a_drusy" TITLE="FAQ">What is a drusy?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="#3" TITLE="FAQ">What is your return policy?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="#4" TITLE="FAQ">What is Chain Maille?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="#5" TITLE="FAQ">What is dichroic glass?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="#6" TITLE="FAQ">How do you wear a neck collar?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="#7" TITLE="FAQ">How do you ship items?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="#what_is_intarsia" TITLE="FAQ">What is Intarsia?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="#titanium" TITLE="FAQ">What is the treatment process used with Brazilian Agate Drusy and Arkansas Quartz Crystal?</A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>What is Intarsia?</B><B> <A NAME="what_is_intarsia"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <bR> <div> Gemstone Intarsia is an ancient art of cutting and placing pieces and stripes of gemstone material together to create a geometrical design. The art is tedious and time consuming and few aritsts in the world can really do it justice. The time honored tradition is found almost all over the globe including many excellent artists right here in the US. Precious stones such as lapis, onyx, opal, malachite, agate and more are used in the creation of an intarsia piece. </div> <bR> <div> <B>What is 14k gold-filled wire?</B><B> <A NAME="1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <bR> <div> Gold filled metal and wire is made from solid gold and filled with other alloys.  Gold filled jewelry wears like solid gold because the outer surface is solid gold.  The process of making gold filled jewelry is quite different from gold plated - there is 100 times more gold in a 14K gold filled piece than in the same piece gold plated.</div> <bR> <div> 14K gold filled wire, also referred to as rolled gold or 14/20, is created by permanently bonding a sheet of 14K gold to a core of semiprecious metal, usually brass, carefully controlling extreme heat and pressure for a precise length of time.  </div> <bR> <div> Laws regulate a substantial layer of gold surrounding the inner alloy.  Gold filled items are strong, durable and resistant to tarnish.  The gold will not wear off as in plated jewelry.  It is nearly impossible to tell a gold filled piece from the same piece in solid gold.  With reasonable care it will last a lifetime.</div> <bR> <div> <B>What is Sterling Silver?</B><B> <A NAME="2"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <bR> <div> Sterling silver is defined as 92.5% pure silver.  It is hardened with another metal alloy of no more than 7.5%, usually copper.  Sterling silver is also referred to as .925, which references the amount of pure silver in the piece.</div> <bR> <div> <B>What is Argentium Sterling Silver?</B><B> <A NAME="argentium_silver"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <bR> <div> Argentium Sterling Silver is a new type of sterling silver that is highly tarnish resistant.  It is not readily available yet in most products but DeVer Originals will begin to use this product almost exclusively in place of sterling silver.  The benefits of argentium sterling silver are numerous.  Argentium is manufactured with a lower level of copper alloy, and replaced with a germanium alloy.  Copper is what causes tarnish to begin with - so decreasing the amount of copper in silver decreases the possibility of tarnish.  Argentium silver is made to a higher standard than traditional sterling silver and is guaranteed to be not less than 92.5% pure.  Argentium sterling also hardens to a greater degree than traditional sterling, providing an added benefit with your treasured jewelry creations.  If and when your Argentium Sterling treasure DOES tarnish - it can be cleaned using normal methods for traditional sterling.</div> <bR> <div> <B>What is a drusy?</B><B> <A NAME="what_is_a_drusy"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <bR> <div> Sometimes tiny quartz crystals form within or on top of an stone when water carrying silica is forced into the stone's bed.  The word "druzy" refers to this fine layer of miniature crystals filling a cavity or coating a matrix.  Many people think of drusy in relation to geodes - but they also form on agates and other stones like brazilian shadow agates, chrysocolla, ocean jasper, botswana agate, amethyst and rhodochrosite - among many others.  </div> <bR> <div> <B>What is your return policy?</B><B> <A NAME="3"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <bR> <div> If you are not satisfied with your DeVer Original creation, I will happily accept returns within a 14 day time period.  You can choose an exchange or a refund.  An exchange is as simple as notifying me of your desires.  If you prefer a refund, you will be refunded all your money minus any shipping costs I incurred if your purchase was over $100.  This can vary but is typically a flat rate of $6.00 which covers shipping and handling.  Of course, if your return is a result of any defect or problem with the piece (which has never and should never happen) I will gladly either repair the piece or reimburse you 100% and will not deduct shipping expenses.</div> <bR> <div> <B>What is Chain Maille?</B><B> <A NAME="4"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" >C</FONT>hain Maille (also known as chainmail or maille), is a flexible product composed of small interlocking metal rings or loops of chain. Maille was historically used as armor from the Roman era until the late middle ages, in both eastern and western cultures. It is used today for industrial armor, combat reenactment, jewelry, fashion design, and sculpture. The term 'maille' comes from the French word for wire, although most sources claim it to be an invention of the Celts.  Today, many people are discovering maille's potential for use in jewelry and clothing, as well as sculpture and functional pieces. Everything from inlaid chessboards and chandeliers to bikinis and bullwhips have been made from this versatile material. The chain maille you see on this site was hand-crafted completely by the artist from a spool of wire to the finished product.</div> <bR> <div> <B>What is dichroic glass?</B><B> <A NAME="5"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <bR> <div> Dichroic is defined as the property of having more than one color, especially when viewed at different angles.  Dichroic glass is a high-tech spin off of the space industry.  Thin layers of metallic oxides, such as titanium, silicon, and magnesium are deposited upon the surface of the glass at high temperatures.  Dichroic coatings transmit certain waves lengths of light, while reflecting others-thus creating an interference effect similar to the iridescence observed in nature's fire opal, dragonfly wings, and hummingbird feathers.  DeVer Originals has added dichroic glass to its' unusual collection, creating a step into the space age for today's modern woman.</div> <bR> <div> <B>How do you wear a neck collar?</B><B> <A NAME="6"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <bR> <div> Neck collars or victorian collars are made from flexible wire.  When you receive your collar - you need to adjust the shape of your collar to fit the form of your own neck.  While you don't want to make any sharp bends in the wire - you can be comfortable gently shaping it to your liking.  Before placing the collar on your neck - look at it from the side and you will see how the collar naturally is shaped to form your neck.  There is a right and wrong side to the collar.  Place the collar on your neck with the side sloping downward toward your body.   If any reshaping needs to be done - with the collar on, gently bend the back of the collar behind your neck so it lays flat and comfortable.  If the front is not laying correctly, take the collar off and bend it gently the correct way using your thigh as a guide.  Bend it carefully so when you place the collar on again, it lays flat and comfortable against your neck.  The only other adjustment you may need to make is gently pulling the sides out (or pushing in) to form the collar.  This is best done with the clasp hooked and the collar on your neck.  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>How do you ship items?</B><B> <A NAME="7"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <bR> <div> All items are shipped USPS priority mail.  Each item is carefully wrapped and boxed in a DeVer Originals cotton-filled box - ready for wrapping when it arrives at your door if need be.  I charge one flat rate shipping and handling fee of $6.00 for any purchases under $100.00.  I cover the shipping and handling charges on any purchases over $100.00.  I will insure items at your request - but typically do not do this because the requirement for a signature at the destination is usually a bothersome issue for my customers.  If you are concerned about the safety of your piece during shipping - please request and pay for insurance.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>What is the treatment process used on Brazilian Agate Drusy and Arkansas Quartz Crystal?</B><B> <A NAME="titanium"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <bR> <div> To achieve the brilliant display of color on drusy, crystal or quartz pieces, the stones are treated with titanium minerals. This is done via an electrostatic process whereby the crystals are put into a vacuum and charged opposite the titanium mineral, causing the titanium to "cling" to the drusy, quartz or crystal piece. The treatment is permanant and is on the outside of the stone only.  It produces an brilliant display of color and is admired by all.  You should treat your titanium coated jewelry with care, as you would with pearls or opals.  Minimize any contact with other jewelry that may cause scratching on the surfaces of the stone.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>