How did you come up with the name “Black Water Siren”?

My maiden name ‘Douglass’ is Scottish. Douglass means ‘black water’ in the Gaelic language of my ancestors.  The word ‘siren’ is another name for a mermaid, the creature and folklore of which I find to be most fascinating. Let me tell you a story...

Once upon a time I was on vacation in Ocracoke, NC, and was lolling about on a fairly deserted beach, basking in the sun with the sparkling ocean waves splashing over my feet. Lying there warm and half asleep, lulled by the heartbeat of the sea, I meditated on my persistent feeling of anticipation whenever I was at the shore. I've always felt like if I waited long enough, was vigilant enough, I would find a treasure in the sand, spat out and forgotten by the ocean tide. While I've found many lovely things beachcombing over the years, I never really found that one special magical gem, that ethereal mermaid's trinket. So I made one.

I retrieved a pair of pliers and copper wire from the car; I always keep them handy in case I get inspired, and wove together a necklace made from seashells along the water's edge. When it was finally finished it was a magnificent and beautiful piece, shells of shimmering amethyst and cream, sienna and rust, with shiny threads of copper lacing them all together that would later turn a rich brown patina with the salty air.

I left it on the beach that day, draped gracefully over a large sandy piece of driftwood, as if an admiring mermaid had become distracted and inadvertently left it behind, high on the beach where the lazy summer tides wouldn't bother to navigate.

I have often wondered what became of that necklace, if anyone found it and took it home, what that person is like, what they thought when they found it, where the necklace is now.

Then an awesome thought struck me. I was that mermaid, that siren of jewelry. It was I who manifested the magical gem, the mermaid's trinket. The precious gift I had been anticipating and searching for so long was simply to be found within the magic of being someone else's unknown nautical muse, to be able to bring a little magic and beauty into someone else's life.

Quite serendipitously, as if to validate my epiphany, I recently stumbled upon this book summary:

"A long time ago, mermaids would rise from the waves on the Breton shores to comb their long hair on moonlit nights. Sometimes they would came ashore in daylight and spread out on the sand their beautiful white linens covered with precious treasures---pearl necklaces, rings of all kinds, and jewels. If anyone approached, they would wrap up their treasures and quickly dive into the sea. One day two young girls were walking along the beach gathering shells. They were surprised and excited to see a mermaid so busy playing with her treasure that she did not notice them. They tiptoed toward her. When they were right in front of her, she looked up, but she did not grab her treasure and plunge into the sea. Instead she gave each of them a gift in a small white linen cloth, making them promise not to open it until they got home. She then waved and dove into the sea. One of the girls could not wait and opened her linen right away. She found nothing but dirt. The other girl waited until she got home and found her linen full of sparkling jewels." From The Gift of the Mermaid, retold by Ruth Stotter as written in The Golden Axe.


How often do you update your website?

Cyndia updates the website frequently. You can sign up for email notification of new updates and sample sales by contacting us.


Do you wholesale?

Yes, we do. You must have a resale tax ID number, and our first time minimum order requirement is $300. Please contact us for further information.


Do you create custom jewelry?

Yes, please click the link here to see some past custom designs.


What are your ear wires made of?
 
Depending on the design of the earrings, the ear wires we use are made of either Sterling Silver, 14K Gold, 14k Gold-Filled, Niobium, or Titanium. We also sell Rubber Earring Backs to keep your earrings where they belong.


Hypo-Allergenic

Webster's New World Dictionary defines hypo-allergenic as "less likely to cause an allergic reaction than other comparable preparations or goods". Allergic reactions may occur from any type of jewelry that contacts the skin, whether it be plastic, ceramic or metal. It can occur as moisture leaches chemicals or metal ions out of the jewelry material. Plated metal or jewelry composed of several metals are especially prone to causing allergic reactions due to electrochemical reactions that occur between dissimilar metals in the presence of moisture.


Metal Allergies

One of the more common metal allergies that people may have is to nickel. One thing that many people do not realize is that surgical stainless steel contains a small amount of Nickel (usually 8% in jewelry). If you have only a slight allergy, then you can probably wear surgical steel for a few hours, or possibly all day. Or, you may be so sensitive to nickel that not only can you not wear any earrings with it in them. 

Every year we get a few customers who believe that they cannot wear gold jewelry because they get an allergic reaction to it. Some believe that they are allergic to gold. We have never yet known anybody who was allergic to pure gold.

The most common cause of allergic reactions to jewelry is nickel contained in the alloy. Nickel is frequently used in white gold alloys because it is inexpensive, hard, and has a strong whitening effect. Better quality white gold alloys use palladium, which has excellent properties but is more expensive.

The next most common cause of allergies for jewelry wearers appears to be detergent or other chemicals which lodge between the jewelry, usually rings, and the skin. Hairdressers are often affected. Rinsing well can help, but it is probably best to remove rings before using any troublesome chemicals, and use a barrier cream.

A few jewelry wearers still seem to be slightly allergic to yellow golds, nickel cannot be the cause because it is not used in yellow gold alloys. In most cases sufferers only experience problems with low gold content alloys such as nine carat, so upgrading to a better alloy such as eighteen carat usually solves all problems.

The other common components of nine carat gold alloys are copper, silver and zinc. Zinc is usually very well tolerated, it is used in many medical preparations. Silver and copper do not usually cause allergic reactions, but both will form compounds with atmospheric pollutants which may be the cause of some reported problems. When copper and silver are present in high carat alloy such as eighteen or twenty two carat, they are more resistant to attack by chemicals, because they are bound more closely with the gold content, and this will explain why high carat alloys cause fewer problems.

Strange as it may seem, using antiperspirants can exacerbate metal allergy problems. It has been found that the sweat of a healthy person in a sauna can contain 20 times the nickel content of blood plasma. Antiperspirants can reduce the bodies natural way of eliminating heavy metals by hindering the body's ability to produce necessary sweat. 

Titanium and niobium metals are the best elements to use for ear wires for people with sensitivity to metals:

Niobium - Niobium is not plated or painted. It is anodized, meaning it is colored by dipping it into an electrically charged "bath". Because it contains no nickel, most people with metal allergies can safely wear Niobium.

Titanium - Titanium is good for metal sensitive people with newly pierced ears. Its neutral grey color blends well with many fashions, and will allow the sensitive to "finally wear earrings".

Learn more about these metals

Hypoallergenic Titanium and Niobium ear wires are available for purchase.


What is Mystic Topaz?

Mystic topaz is created using genuine topaz, which has a natural brilliance and sparkle. The Mystic part is technically known as Physical Vapor Deposition, produced by heating natural topaz in the presence of metal oxides. This process creates a coating on the pavilion of the stone (the back), creating the prism of colors seen through the front of the gem.


What are opal triplets?

Information About Opal Triplets


Definitions of Types Of Silver

The proportion of silver in these alloys is stated in terms of fineness, which means parts of silver per thousand of the alloy. Sterling is the American and British standard for silver. Sterling silver contains 92.5 percent of silver and 7.5 percent of another metal, usually copper; i.e., it has a fineness of 925. The sterling standard is 925 parts of silver to 75 parts copper in every 1000 parts sterling silver. Pieces manufactured in the United States are stamped Sterling or 925. British sterling pieces bear hallmarks, symbols and letters indicating maker place of origin, and year of manufacture, as well as the sterling mark, a standing lion (Lion Passant). While other marks vary, the sterling mark appears on all British sterling except for pieces manufactured in Scotland, which bear a thistle mark instead of the Lion Passant. (These thistle-marked pieces are exceedingly rare on the local market).

Jewelry silver is an alloy containing 80 percent silver and 20 percent copper (800 fine). Coin silver was manufactured prior to the acceptance of the sterling silver in the US (about 1960). Most manufacturers in the early 1800s stamped "Coin Silver" or "Pure Coin" on pieces to indicate the quality; 900 parts silver per thousand. 900 silver is 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper.  For jewelry in Egypt - there is no sterling silver. 

Sheffield Plate is a confusing term. The city of Sheffield, England remains a major center for the manufacture of sterling and plate, although true Sheffield Plate is no longer made. Sheffield Plate is a silver and copper 'sandwich' with the less precious metal in the middle. It was rolled into thin sheets and used in silverware manufacture at a price far lower than that of sterling. By the mid-1800s, however, the electroplating process made silver plate an even lower priced alternative, and the manufacture of Sheffield Plate was discontinued.

Electroplate is a process of plating a base metal with silver after an object has been manufactured. The base metal is usually indicated in code on the piece: EPNS Electroplate on Nickel Silver (most common today); EPBM Electroplate on Britania Metal; EPWM, Electroplate on White Metal; EPC, Electroplate on Copper.

German Silver is another misleading term. It is not silver at all, but an alloy of nickel, copper, and zinc. Nickel Silver is another term used interchangeably with German Silver.

Over time oxidation reactions will occur, especially with sulfur and oxygen, causing silver to become tarnished. Tarnishing on silver jewelry, when worn on a regular basis, usually does not occur. Storage for a prolonged time causes silver jewelry to tarnish. Contact with rubber bands may cause tarnish - the sulfur in rubber is a catalyst for tarnish. Taking a medication that changes the acidity of your skin may cause silver jewelry to tarnish. Individuals with a more acidic PH balance will notice their silver jewelry tarnishes.


Definitions of Types of Gold

Gold Jewelry - Karats & Color
Gold has been used in jewelry making for thousands of years and is the most popular jewelry metal today. Because of its high malleability (among metals, only silver is more malleable), gold can be manipulated into intricate designs. It does not fade, rust, or corrode, and it is very resistant to tarnishing. As you know, gold is also expensive. Only one other metal, platinum, is pricier than gold.

Gold Content in Jewelry - Karats
Because gold is very soft, it's usually alloyed with other, harder metals. Alloyed gold is less prone to scratching and deformation over time, making jewelry more durable. The amount of pure gold in a piece of jewelry is measured by the "karatage" system. Every piece of gold jewelry should be labeled with a small metal stamp indicating its karatage. These stamps are called "karat marks." They typically depict a number followed by the letter "k."

Karat marks indicate the amount of pure gold in 24ths. Pure gold is described as 24 karat (or "24k"). If you divided a 24-karat piece of jewelry into 24 equal units, all 24 would be pure gold. A 10 karat piece of jewelry divided into 24 equal units would contain 10 units of pure gold and 14 units of other, nonprecious metals.
Here are the most common karat marks used today in the United States and Europe:
 

In the United States, all gold jewelry is required by law to contain a karat mark, and the minimum legal karatage for jewelry sold in the U.S. is 10 karat. Gold content may be as low as 9 karat in the United Kingdom, and as low as 8 karat in Germany. Twenty-four karat gold jewelry is rare in the U.S. and Europe, but is a traditional wedding gift in China and Hong Kong.

Gold Colors
In its pure (24 karat) form, gold is deep yellow-orange with a slightly dull finish. When gold is alloyed with other metals, its color changes subtly or dramatically, depending on the alloy. It also becomes shinier. Yellow gold typically contains copper and silver. White gold contains copper, nickel, and zinc. (This is important to remember if you're allergic to nickel.) Gold can even be colored "rose," green, or "red" when alloyed with various amounts of copper, zinc, and/or aluminum.


Anatomy Guide for Selecting Jewelry

Metaphysical Meanings of Gems and Metals

Stones, Crystals, & Metal Stampings
 

What are your payment options?

We accept Paypal through which you can pay with MasterCard, Visa, Discover, American Express, debit cards, and eChecks. We also accept regular checks and money orders. Shipment will be held until your check clears. To arrange payment by check or money order, please email or call with your order.


Do you ship internationally?

Yes. Shipping internationally is $3.00 for the first item, .50c each additional item via USPS regular airmail. It can take up to three weeks for your package to arrive from the USA. Priority USPS International shipping starts at $16.00. If United Parcel Service or Federal Express shipment is preferred, or if other overseas shipment is required, please indicate this request on your order and we will email confirmation to you with the calculated shipping charges. 


Domestic shipping for website, Etsy.com, and eBay orders

Standard shipping for our jewelry is $3.00 for the first item, .50c each additional item to anywhere in the USA via USPS First Class with Delivery Confirmation, unless requested otherwise.

Need it fast? USPS 2-Day Express Mail will get it there by 3pm the second day for $17.50.


Returns & Repair

Cyndia stands behind the fine craftsmanship of her jewelry. All jewelry is guaranteed against manufacturer’s defects for a period of one year from the date of purchase from Cyndia at Black Water Siren Studio or an authorized distributor or gallery. We guarantee that our products will be “as stated”. All products have been checked for quality before the product is shipped to you. If you are not happy for any reason, we accept returns of unused, undamaged merchandise for a full refund within seven days of receipt provided the merchandise is accompanied by your original blackwatersiren.com receipt. We guarantee the craftsmanship and materials used in our work. All jewelry is inspected before shipment for any defect in workmanship. Should you receive your order in less than satisfactory condition, please return any damaged merchandise within seven days of receipt for repair or replacement.

If you lose or damage a mate to a pair of earrings, we will replace it for a small charge. Please send the remaining earring, and all broken parts if possible, back to us for reconstruction.


Returning Standard Items

Any stock, standard, limited edition, advertised one of a kind, or non-commissioned item may be returned for refund, credit or exchange within seven days of date received as long as the item is in its original, unused condition, with no missing, broken, or exchanged stones and the finish of both metal and stones are unscratched and unmarred. Call before returning the item to obtain a return authorization number, otherwise the package cannot be accepted. Original shipping charges and credit card fees (if any) are not refundable on returns (unless the item was damaged in its original shipment to you).

Any standard item that is customized (ring sizing, adding stones, etc.) is not returnable for refund (unless it was damaged in shipping), but may be returned for full credit or exchange.


Returning Custom Work

Jewelry that is created as a custom design on a commission basis is not returnable unless the item you receive arrives damaged. Our guarantee is that the piece will match the final design you approved including the dimensions of the piece, the stones and metals used.

If you have any questions about ordering a custom designed piece, please contact us. We will be happy to answer your questions and discuss any concerns in detail.


Returning eBay Purchases

Items listed on eBay can be returned within seven (7) days of receipt of purchase. If you need to return an item that was purchased through eBay, you must first contact us concerning the reason you wish to return it. We will give you a return authorization number which must be included with the item and item must be shipped in its original packaging (gift box and backing card) if possible.  Purchase price only is refundable, shipping is not refundable, and return shipping is the responsibility of the buyer. 


 

Jewelry Care

Adjusting your new cuff bracelet to fit properly

Buy your bracelet in a size that is close to your wrist size so that the adjustment you need to make is small. Measure your wrist with a measuring tape or use a piece of string or strip of paper. Wrap the tape around the narrow part of your wrist and then measure the length.

Most Sterling Silver cuff bracelets can be adjusted 1/2 inch one way or the other, use this measurement as a guide when purchasing your jewelry. You will want to adjust your bracelet to fit your wrist so that it does not have to be done again every time you wear it.

Carefully open your bracelet by very gently, but firmly, pulling the two ends apart, so that it fits over your wrist from the side. Place the open part of the bracelet at the side of the narrow part of your wrist, moving far enough to be able to turn it into the correct position. When the bracelet is placed as you want to wear it, gently squeeze it just enough to fit comfortably, and so that it can still be removed by reversing the process.

The next time you put it on, it will fit perfectly. Over time, metal that has been repeatedly stretched and compressed will stress, and may form a crack or weakened area that can limit the life of the bracelet. Using this method, your cuff will fit every time you wear it without any further adjustments that may damage it.


How do I clean my jewelry?

The absolute best thing on the market to use is our Polishing Cloth, which works on all metals and is safe for stones. This is my personal preference for all of my jewelry, both in my studio and for my own collection. Do not use chemical solutions, like Tarn-X or other jewelry cleaning solutions, as some jewelry has an applied patina which would be destroyed. Avoid immersing porous or fragile stones such as turquoise, malachite, pearls,  emeralds, or opals, into chemical anti-tarnishing agents because it will damage the stone. If you have questions about specific pieces, please contact us.

Beauty products can affect jewelry. Spray perfume or hairspray can discolor gold or make pearls turn yellow. Put jewelry on after you have applied cosmetics and sprays.

Take off your jewelry, especially rings, when doing household chores or gardening. They could become damaged by knocking out stones or coming into contact with abrasive materials which discolor metal.

Settings can get clogged up with soap and hand cream. Take them off before washing hands and using cream.

Heat and hot water can loosen settings where an adhesive has been used. Pearl rings, earrings, and pendants have this type of setting.

Strong smelling foods like fish & onions can tarnish gold and silver.

Don't wear jewelry to bed or when getting wet. It is a good idea to take your jewelry off before bed and store it properly so it will maintain its luster. Wearing silver while showering or swimming will likely tarnish it more quickly. Enameled pieces in gold or silver should not be exposed to water or cleaning agents.

Don't expose silver or gold to chlorine, sulfur or strong household cleaning supplies since the harsh chemicals can erode the quality and sheen of the metals.

Clean your jewelry periodically. An old soft toothbrush is useful to get into any difficult nooks and crannies with warm soapy water.


Pearl Care

Protecting your pearls by caring for them properly will help to preserve their life span. The actual care and cleaning process is very simple and can be done in only a few short minutes. It doesn't matter if the pearl is a mabe, biwa or pearl beads the care is pretty much the same.

Pearls are produced by living organisms, therefore they contain calcareous crystals which are very sensitive to chemicals and acids. The content of protein and water in Pearls can subject them to drying out and cracking if not Properly taken care of. It is advisable that pearls be Dampened periodically, in lightly salted water.

Pearls, because of the natural creation process, are not as durable as other precious stones, therefore it is recommended that they are stored apart from other jewelry to prevent scratching their delicate surface. In addition, pearls should not be exposed to substances such as dishwashing liquid or acidic products like vinegar, lemon juice, hairspray or perfume.

After wearing your favorite mabe pearl or freshwater pearls simply wipe them off with a soft cloth or chamois, the cloth can be damp or dry. This will help prevent dirt from building up, as well as stop the accumulation of perspiration, which is slightly acidic and can cause deterioration of the pearl nacre.

If wearing a pearl ring or pearl bracelet the manner in which it is removed can, in addition to cleaning, preserve its beauty. Always remove the ring by grasping it from the shank rather than by the pearl itself. This will help the pearl from coming into contact with the oils on your skin or from becoming loose.

For pearls that have not been cleaned for an extended period of time, or have become very dirty, the best remedy is to take them to your local jeweler for a thorough cleaning. If you would rather take care of the cleaning yourself, it is a very simple process.

Start by gently washing the pearls in water using a very mild dish soap such as Ivory or Lux. Ensure the dish soap is extremely mild as some commercial dish soaps, such as Dawn, can actually cause damage to the pearls because of their high level of acidity.

While washing the pearls, pay close attention to the areas around the drill holes where dirt tends to collect. Once the washing process is complete, simply lay them flat in a moist kitchen towel to dry. Once the towel is dry the pearls are ready to be worn or put away.

These few simple caring steps can make a tremendous difference to the life of your pearls and will allow you to pass them down from generation to generation.


Finding your Ring Size

Wrap a strip of paper about 5mm or 1/4 inch wide snugly around your finger.

Mark the point where the ends meet.

Lay the piece of paper flat and measure length either in millimeters or inches with a ruler. This is the circumference of your finger.

Use this measurement and the chart below to determine your ring size. Please remember to take into consideration the size of your finger joints that the ring must slide over.