Our Materials
We believe designers should take a pro-active stance in sourcing their materials from responsible suppliers. We use only recycled Platinum, Gold & Silver for our pieces. Our alloy suppliers only source and manufacture metals from “DRC-Conflict Free” mines or other domestic U.S. sources.
All of our jewelry is cast in solid precious metals and are never plated. Plated and “filled” jewelry wears poorly over time. We promise your BALTERA piece is made to last.
Our stones are all cut in here in NYC. Whenever possible the stones are sourced from US Mines. There are hundreds of gorgeous gems, but unless they can be ethically sourced, lab-created or are from a fair trade supplier, we will not use them in BALTERA jewelry.
Some color & variations may occur due to to the natural characteristics of our material and processes. We believe this adds to the inherent beauty in each of our pieces.
Gold
We use the following karatage in our jewelry: 18K Gold. Gold has been highly valued since before 5000 BCE for its beautiful color & non-corrosive properties. Gold will not rust or tarnish. The ancient world used it for jewelry and artifacts where it often symbolized immortality; a gold object can last forever. Gold provides warm sun-energy to the heart chakra and is known for its healing properties. 18-karat gold offers a perfect balance between durability and purity. Its color is closer to that of pure gold, where the hue of 10K or 14K jewelry is not as rich. Since it is purer, it is less likely to cause an allergic reaction in those with sensitivities.
Sterling Silver
The mining of silver began some 5000 years ago. Silver was first mined in about 3000 B.C. in Anatolia. Gold was considered to be the skin of the ancient Egyptian gods, but their bones were thought to be of silver. Sterling Silver is an alloy of silver with the standard 92.5% by mass of silver and 7.5% of other metals. This percentage gives it strength and durability that will stand the test of time. It is the brightest of all the precious metals. Silver is the metal of the moon and reflects the soul, bringing clarity and healing. Silver is a naturally antimicrobial.
Platinum
We love platinum! Platinum was used by pre-Columbian Indians and has been found in other ancient pieces, such as a metal inlay in Egyptian boxes. It is a naturally white metal & will never fade or change color. White gold will yellow over time, requiring its rhodium plating to be replaced every 12-18 months to maintain a white appearance. Platinum is resistant to corrosion and does not tarnish. Platinum is very durable and is perfect for a lifetime of everyday wear. It will not wear away over time, whereas white gold loses little slivers of metal with every scratch. The platinum used in our pieces is a very pure material – it contains less than 5% other metals. This purity makes it naturally hypoallergenic and ideal for those with sensitive skin.
STONES
All stones are hand cut and of natural material; slight variations and distinctions are possible.
Obsidian
When silica-rich lava erupts and rapidly cools as it reaches large bodies of water, it quickly solidifies into a volcanic glass with very little to no crystalline structure. Several varieties of obsidian occur, such a black, rainbow, snowflake and mahogany. Obsidian is a very protective stone and is excellent for removing negativity. It is very grounding and tied to the root chakra. It is used to protect against depression and negativity. The black color of this gemstone symbolizes self-control and resilience.
Sodalite
Sodalite is a rich royal blue tectosilicate mineral. We love that it is a more traditional blue & less ultramarine than Lapis and often has beautiful white veining throughout. Sodalite is one of the mineral components of lapis lazuli. It can be found in pieces from Ancient Egypt & in 3rd Century Peru. Sodalite stimulates endurance. It is said sodalite will harmonize the inner being or the conscious and subconscious mind. Sodalite promotes peace and harmony. Sodalite is extra lucky for writers.
Howlite
In ancient Egyptian art, white represented purity and omnipotence. We chose Howlite for it’s white color and beautiful grey veining. Although howlite was discovered in Canada, most howlite now comes from California and LA. It is a super-calming stone and many people use it to relieve stress of all kinds. Howlite is also used to heighten creativity and expand self-expression.It makes an excellent antidote to insomnia due to an overactive mind.
ENAMEL
We only use Vitreous (Glass) Enamel. Vitreous Enamel has many excellent properties: it is smooth, hard, chemically resistant, durable, scratch resistant (5-6 on the Mohs scale), has long-lasting color fastness, is easy to clean, and cannot burn. Enamel is glass, not paint, so it does not fade under ultraviolet light. Glass enamel has proven itself since 13th century BC to be a beautiful and timeless art form. Some manufactures and jewelers have chosen plastics (labeled cold enamel) over this. We believe there is enough plastic in this world and vitreous enamel adds to the inherent beauty and value of gold and silver. The durable art of enameling; in which powdered glass is heated on metal until it fuses in a translucent layer requires heat that reaches almost 1500 degrees. The resulting bond between glass and metal is strong. It is a time tested technique.
Matte
Our Matte finish is smooth to the touch like a polished finish. However, you will not be able to see your reflection on the surface. This type of finish is best for those who like the smoothness of a polished finish, but do not want the shininess. We love our braids in the matte finish.
Satin Polish
Our Satin Polish is in between a satin & a high polish. Most polished pieces are very shiny and reflective. This highly reflective surface can often overwhelm the details we have created. BALTERA’s Satin Polish is not as intense therefore allowing the beauty of the braid or detail to be shiny but still defined.
Black Patina
Our Black Patina is built up slowly, layering the color to create depth and a long-lasting finish. Each piece is hand painted so the color & depth will vary. Our Black Patina is close to a deep charcoal/ black in color. Patinas are a semi-permanent finish. They will continue to evolve & wear, and these subtle changes can add to the beauty of your piece over time.
We are very excited to have all of our packaging made in the United States. We worked long & hard to find great American manufacturing partners. We are lucky to have two companies who were willing to work with us on our designs & to develop thoughtful, high quality domestic packaging. Our Leather pouches are made by North Star Leather in Ruby, South Carolina. We hand burnish the edges in our studio in NYC. Our boxes are custom made for us at Modernistic, an incredible 3rd generation family run manufacturer in Stillwater, Minnesota. After multiple prototypes they helped us come up with an elegant box to house our pouches. We are huge fans and collectors of well made & vintage packaging and believe it should be made to keep and not thrown away!
COLOR OF PRODUCTS
Although we put our best efforts into displaying our products as accurately as possible, the colors of the metals, stones and enamel that you view on your computer monitor may be different from the actual colors of these products. BALTERA is not responsible for any inaccuracy in this regard.
