Susan Jefferson Jewelry's logo in purple handwritten font

Unique Handmade Sterling Silver Jewelry

Shop Now
It only makes sense that I would explore metalsmithing to enhance my stone cabochons and make them wearable art! Like everything else, metalsmithing takes lots of practice, requires lots of supplies, and most of all requires tons of patience!

Handmade Sterling Silver Jewelry

I’ve learned that there are no shortcuts in metalsmithing. Mistakes made along the way can’t be corrected in the next step, so focusing on getting each step in the process correct is key.

As you delve into metalsmithing for jewelry making, remember that you will make mistakes! You will melt pieces, you will stick things together that you don’t want stuck, you will cut a piece of sterling silver just a hair too small. I’ve made all these mistakes and more, and it has only made me a better metalsmith. And only by practice and repetition can you master the art of making sterling silver artisan jewelry.

My metalsmithing journey started many years ago when I discovered PMC (Precious Metal Clay). PMC is fine silver that is suspended in a binder that looks and works like clay. PMC can be molded into shapes, then dried, sanded, and fired in a kiln. The result is a piece of fine silver jewelry. After experimenting with PMC and learning more about the properties of metal, I decided to make the leap into fabrication of metal with heat and solder.

When I say heat, I mean using a torch! Feeling comfortable with a torch took some time, and learning how metal reacts to heat is so important to successful metalsmithing. Making sterling silver artisan jewelry was my goal, and after many years of practice, I can say that I’ve learned a lot, but I’m still learning more every day!

Beautiful stone intarsia diamond-shaped pendant made of Kyanite Ruby & Fuschite with a border ofGreen Chalcedony and a sterling silver bezel
Kyanite, Ruby & Fuschite with Green Chalcedony & Sterling Silver pendant
A pear-shaped cabochon of white agate with yellow and peach swirls and a large drusy with white crystals in a sterling silver bezel
Teardrop Agate pendant with Crystal Druzy Sterling Silver Pendant
A unique modified leaf shape blue moss agate cabochon in a sterling silver bezel
Blue Moss Agate Cabochon in Sterling Silver
A pear-shaped St. John's Flowering Jasper cabochon with a sterling silver bezel encrusted with a channel of opal
St. John’s Flowering Jasper pendant with Opal Inlay in Sterling Silver

So many slabs…so little time!