Welcome to RHRdesigns!
Handcrafted Jewelry & Custom Designs
Online Holiday Shopping is Open!
Now through December 15, shop for your favorite pieces in order to receive them in time for the gifting season.
Gold Fill vs Plate
Due to the cost of gold these days I only work in solid 14k gold for custom orders. However, I offer many pieces in 14k gold filled. I do not offer gold plated items. So, what is the difference?
Gold Filled is a confusing term because the gold is actually on the surface of the base metal. The gold is pressure bonded and must meet a minimum weight standard. Essentially, it is a much thicker and more durable layer of gold than gold plated jewelry. I use 14k gold filled.
Gold Plate is a thin layer of gold that is applied to jewelry made of base metal through the electroplating process. It is quite thin and if the jewelry isn't properly cared for, the gold layer can quickly wear away.
About the Artist
I find it hard to write about myself so I’d rather frame my history with the people who helped and influenced my craft.
My dad was sheet metal fabricator who owned his own shop, so I grew up around metals, tools and equipment. I still remember him helping me create my first major metal piece when I was 11, a 3’x2’ copper ship wall hanging. My high school offered jewelry classes and I was hooked. The jewelry teacher noticed my passion and invited me to her home studio often to teach me techniques she could not cover in class. At the same time I was discovering my love for creating jewelry, my father’s mentor and friend passed away. He left his jewelry tools, metal forming equipment and lapidary equipment to us. From there, I worked on my own and took occasional classes when possible. In my 20’s I was fortunate to apprentice with a well-known jeweler in Southern Maine who generously shared her knowledge and business contacts.
I laid down my tools for 22 years to pursue a different career path and raise a family. People often asked why I was no longer working in my studio. Time, just not enough of it. But, now I am back at it and couldn’t be happier.
So, thank you to all of the people who influenced and supported me over the years, those who encouraged me to return to my craft, and to all of you who are now visiting my website.
Rachael H Ryan
