Elizabeth Garvin

From the Skyscrapers of New York City to the green grass of Central Park, Elizabeth Garvin draws her inspiration from all aspects of the life that surrounds her. Her jewelry, at first glance, is industrial in style, yet nature too plays its part; not so much on the surface, but in the underlying balance and geometry of her design. For Elizabeth, designing jewelry is not work, it is play, every extra minute, she spends at the bench manipulating metal and playing with ideas. She never sketches or plans, she simply imagines and does.

Elizabeth Garvin graduated with honors from New York University in 1986 with her Bachelor of Arts degree, and continued studies at Parson’s School of Design as well as Massachusetts College of Art. Her use of sterling silver, gold vermeil, and cubic zirconium is enhanced by her 3-D designs, which allow for light to flow through her jewelry beautifully while placing a feminine spin on her otherwise industrial style.

When Elizabeth Garvin sits down to bring an idea to life she combines traditional metalsmithing with architecture and engineering techniques, creating a look that is both modern and timeless. Her designs are playfully graphic and sensibly made. She works without expectation; she plays with her design, moving things around and putting them together, just waiting to see what comes of it. Her jewelry is filled with the playfulness that she enjoys while creating it.

Comfort and elegance, aesthetics and function, Elizabeth Garvin’s jewelry is beautiful and wearable. Joy and fun are at the base of each of her designs, and that translates beautifully into each piece of jewelry.

Step 1; wash piece with soap and water, using a bristle brush to clean satin surfaces.
Step 2; if tarnished, rub tarnished areas using liquid tarnish dip applied with a cotton swab.
Step 3; wash again as above.

Step 1; wash piece with soap and water, using a bristle brush to clean satin surfaces.
Step 2; if satin silver is tarnished, clean with liquid tarnish dip applied with a cotton swab. Rub repeatedly along silver stripes, avoiding the gold or black surfaces. Do not submerge.
Step 3; wash again as above.

Step 1; wash piece with soap and water, using a bristle brush to clean satin surfaces and stones.
Step 2; if satin silver is tarnished, clean with liquid tarnish dip applied with a cotton swab. Triple deckers may need to be submerged occasionally, [for 5 seconds only].
Step 3; wash again as above, brushing hard-to-reach interiors carefully.

Step 1; wash piece with soap and water, using a bristle brush to clean satin surfaces.
Step 2; if matte background is tarnished, clean with liquid tarnish dip applied with a cotton swab Do not submerge.
Step 3; wash again as above.

Sterling Silver

Many silver jewelry pieces today are rhodium coated to prevent tarnishing and can be easily cleaned at home. Use a damp cloth, gentle soap and water to clean your jewelry. Then dry with a dry cloth.

More aggressive cleaning may be necessary for tarnished or textured jewelry. Heat the item by dipping in hot tap water. Then scrub with a soft toothbrush using toothpaste, baking soda or a non-abrasive silver polish to remove most tarnish and dirt.

Jewelry with pearls or soft gemstones (carnelian, lapis, malachite, opal, onyx) requires special care. Use only the softest cloth and wipe gently, and never use harsh cleaning solutions or chemicals.

To prevent damage and reduce the need for cleaning, keep all jewelry, (especially pearls and soft gemstones) away from household cleaners and hair care products. Chlorine bleach found in hot tubs and swimming pools can be especially harmful and will immediately tarnish most sterling and damage soft gemstones.

Cleaning Sterling Silver with Baking Soda and Aluminum

Non coated sterling silver reacts with moisture resulting in a layer of tarnish or oxidation. Baking soda activated by boiling water in the presence of aluminum will dislodge the tarnish by making it bind with the aluminum, leaving the sterling silver clean and shiny.

This is the simple, organic way to clean and polish your sterling silver jewelry. Place a sheet of aluminum foil in the bottom of a glass tray that is deep enough to cover your jewelry. Place the jewelry item in the tray. Sprinkle a tablespoon or more of baking soda on the jewelry. Pour enough boiling water into the tray to cover the jewelry. Bubbling should occur (the sulfuric gases released by the cleaning action).

Move the jewelry item in the solution with a wood or plastic utensil allowing the various surfaces of the piece to come into contact with the aluminum. Notice that the silver has become bright again.

Rinse the jewelry under tap water. To ensure that you don't lose small pieces like earrings and pendants, put a sieve over the drain to catch whatever may slip off your fingers.

Wipe the jewelry gently with an absorbent towel and polish with a soft cloth.

Gold, Platinum and Other Precious Metals and Gems

Most fine gold jewelry may be cleaned simply using warm water and nonabrasive soap using a small bristle brush such as a soft child’s toothbrush to remove solid substances lodged to the surface. Rinse in warm water, dry and polish with a soft cloth.

An ultrasonic cleaner can be used, except for items with aquamarines, emeralds, opals, and pearls. Jewelry with aquamarine, emeralds, opals, and pearls should be cleaned very carefully with soap and water.

Take Simple Precautions

Fine jewelry is durable, but not indestructible. We recommend not wearing your fine jewelry weightlifting, heavy lifting, playing golf, landscaping, gardening, horseback riding, in the pool or spa. Chlorine is toxic for many metals.

ZFolio