Tradition &
Technology
Craftsmen at The Silver Mesa use the finest materials,
combining traditional silversmithing methods and advanced
technology to bring you the beauty of handcrafted jewelry at
an affordable price.
Artisans begin with a flat sheet
of silver and cut the component parts for each piece of
jewelry, the way a seamstress cuts the pieces for a
shirt from a flat piece of material. The parts are
individually shaped and decorated, and then carefully
soldered together. And we do mean "carefully" ,
because the skill required here is to bring the metal up
to just the right temperature for solder to flow without
over heating or melting the piece (as opposed to
casting, which involves melting silver and pouring it
into molds).
Our small design stamps,
embossment dies and most of our repoussè stamps are
original and hand carved in our shop. Repoussè and
small design stamps are applied in the traditional
way-on the blacksmith anvil, one at a time, with a
hammer guided by an experienced eye and steady hand.
Mimbres stamps and large embossments are applied
individually with a hand-operated power tool that
provides the controlled force required to make a clean
even impression of proper depth in the silver.
While much of our jewelry is hand
polished on a buffing wheel, we shine our Mimbres, Rock
Art and Northwest lines by using an advanced multi-step
tumble polish process to better enhance the intricate
designs.
Leatherwork and Findings
Our hatband and belt straps are cut from the finest hides
right here in our shop. We leave the straps
unpunched, so each customer can be given a custom fit.
On our concha belts, we attach
the buckle with a snap, rather than rivets, so it can be
easily removed and worn separately on a plain belt.
"Findings" include the tips on a
bola cord and the french wires on earrings. They
are the items that finish off a piece of jewelry.
Many of our findings, such as the ranger buckle and tips
sets on our hatbands, are handmade in our shop.
Others, like bola tips and french wires, are purchased.
Most of our findings are sterling
silver, however, we do choose nickel silver for items
such as keyring holders and bola backs, where its
strength makes it preferable to silver. This
selective use of non-silver findings enables us to
provide a more durable product.
Environmental Awareness
The Silver Mesa is an environmentally aware shop.
There are processes and supplies we could use to cut
costs and speed production, but the benefit to our
pocketbook is not worth the potential harm to the
environment.
We do no plating, stripping or
etching, which generally involve using cyanides and
strong acids. We purchase only cadmium-free silver
solders, and neutral silver solder paste flux containing
no free fluorides.
Soldering is done on non-asbestos
"Brazing Boards", a product Fritz introduced in 1978
when virtually all silver and goldsmiths soldered on
asbestos pads. This Board, now marketed through
major suppliers, made it possible for smiths to
eliminate a primary occupational and environmental
hazard.
For the tumble polish process, we
specifically sought out media and compounds that are not
associated with any serious health risks and are free of
hazardous materials.
From the supplies that come in
our door to the jewelry that goes out, we are doing our
part to make the world a better place. |
