Materials & Care

STERLING SILVER

Sefa Huyuk’s jewelry is made in this shining material and is plated with other precious metals such as rhodium in many of our designs. A most malleable and flexible material it can be changed and transformed into beautiful shapes. When it is mixed with other metals it is more durable and much stronger. This reliable and valuable metal forms the basis of many of our designs.

How to care for Sterling Silver

Avoid it coming into contact with water too often. Use a cloth pouch for storage to avoid it oxidizing. Clean it using a solution of mild soap and water Silver is a material that is best kept away from water as often as possible because it can cause the metal to oxidise and tarnish. It is good practice to remove it when your hands come into contact with water. You can however clean it gently with a solution of mild soap and water and quickly dry with a soft cloth. When not being worn, store it in a cloth pouch to keep away from the air and light.

18 CARAT GOLD

Many of our pieces have gold detailing or plating. Gold is regarded as a highly precious metal because it has a high resistance to corrosion and will endure long after other metals have tarnished. It is malleable enough to be easily worked with to create stunning jewelry and has a timeless luster and enchanting shine.

How to care for 18 Carat Gold

Give your gold jewelry a ‘bath’ in a solution of warm water and soap. Let it soak for several hours and use a brush with soft bristles to clean it. Rinse with clean water and dry with a soft cloth. Keep gold pieces stored separately in a soft pouch to keep from scratches. A material like gold is durable but we must not forget that it can still be scratched and marked if not cared for. It is best to store it separately from other pieces, either in a soft pouch or a velvet lined jewelry box. When cleaning, soak in a solution for several hours using soap and warm water. Rinse carefully and dry thoroughly with a cloth. If you look after your gold it will last a lifetime.

BLACK ANTHRACITE

One of our more unique signature materials is black anthracite. This rocky material has similar qualities to pewter and graphite, and it is very malleable and when worked with properly. It produces a very lustrous sheen for our creations. It’s semi-metallic nature means that it can be shaped, moulded and carved to create beautiful pieces of jewelry.

RHODIUM

We have used this extremely valuable and rare material when plating our silver. It is an incredibly precious element and comes from the platinum group of precious metals. It mixed well with silver due to its shining patina and creates a luminous sheen that endures across time. It will never tarnish or oxidize so it is a highly prized material which we use with great care.

How to care for Rhodium

Soak your jewelry item in a solution of mild soap and warm water. Avoid scrubbing or using any sort of brush, clean gently with your hands. Only soak for ten minutes, no longer. Use bottled water to rinse your jewelry. Lie flat on cotton fabric to dry. Store in tissue paper in a dark, dry container. When cleaning and storing rhodium it is important to remember that although it is one of the most durable precious metals, it still requires care and attention. Make sure to soak it in a bath of warm water and mild soap but for no longer than ten minutes. Afterwards, use bottled water to rinse it clean and avoid using any brushes, just rub gently with your hands. Lie it flat on a soft cotton cloth to dry. When storing, keep folded in soft tissue paper and keep in a dark, dry container.

RUBY

Our rubies are treated with care and affection, for they are one of the most valuable corundum minerals. Known as a stone of creativity, good fortune and love, the ruby has long been symbolic of passion and abundance. It is the chromium element present in rubies that gives the stone its deep red and sometimes deep pink color. Formed deep inside mountain ranges, pressure and intense heat build up to create this incredibly vivacious and important gemstone that has fascinated and inspired mankind throughout history.

EMERALD

Widely believed to be Cleopatra’s favorite gemstone, the emerald is the most valuable gemstone next to the diamond. A type of beryl mineral it can vary in color from deep green to a gorgeous blue-green. With both chromium and vanadium present in the gemstone, which gives it its rich and verdant color, it is a gemstone that we treat with high regard and care in our jewelry. It is known as a jewel that represents unconditional love, healing and inspiration and is representative of royalty.

SAPPHIRE

The beauty of the sapphire is that it has its signature deep blue color that makes it so popular, but it also has other hues, known as ‘fancy sapphires’. We use these in our jewelry for their range of stunning colors that create truly unique pieces. Sapphire is known as a corundum mineral that has traces of titanium within, which offers a chameleon quality to the gemstones, that appear to transform in color when the light glances off them. Sapphire gemstones are associated with sincerity and truth and are a popular jewel for engagement rings.

CITRINE

One of the quartz gemstone family, citrines can vary in color from a deep orange-brown to a pale sparkling yellow. It is having somewhat of a revival of late, and has increased in popularity. Our jewelry celebrates the special qualities of this unique gemstone. Found deep within ancient igneous rocks, citrine is found in many countries worldwide. Citrine gemstones have long been symbolic of purification and positive energy.

AQUAMARINE

Like its cousin the emerald, aquamarine is one of the beryl mineral gemstones. It is sourced at mountainous heights and us usually mined in large quantities. Famous for its clear crystal blue color it takes its beautiful name from the Latin word meaning ‘seawater’ and it is easy to understand why. A stone used as a talisman of safety by sailors across the centuries, it is also believed to be a jewel of happiness in marriage and youthful vivacity. Its color ranges from the palest blue-white to a deeper green-blue.

GARNET

A garnet comes in many forms. It is a collective term used to describe a range of silicate minerals and therefore presents itself in a range of colors and depths. The most traditionally recognised garnet is the deep red jewel that had its name conferred from the Latin word which means ‘seedlike’ - due to its similarity to tiny juicy pomegranate seeds. Garnets have been continually popular throughout the centuries, and are believed to ward off

CHROME DIOPSIDE

This verdant gemstone is sometimes compared with the brilliant emerald due to its luscious green color. It has gained popularity recently due to its dramatic sparkle. It is rich in chromium, which is what endows it with such richness of color and it is a favorite among our artisans because of this quality. It has long been known as the jewel of wishes and opportunities, as well as being a gemstone that helps the wearer with self-improvement.

AMETHYST

Probably the most well known and popular member of the quartz family, amethyst is recognized for its signature deep purple hue. As far back as ancient Egypt, royalty and highborn lords wore it as a most prized gemstone. Depending on its source, amethyst can range from a dark purple color to a more red tone with hints of purple within. Named for a Greek Goddess who was transformed into the jewel, it has associations with sobriety and decency, as well as being believed to encourage good quality sleep and to act as a detoxification aid.

TOURMALINE

Found deep within granite, tourmaline is an Elbaite mineral which comes in a wide range of colors, much more than any other gemstone. It changes color when seen from varied viewpoints, known as pleochroism, and because of this, it is prized for its chameleon like qualities and unique beauty. Sri Lankan tourmalines garnered the name ‘turmali’ meaning colored crystal and so the name tourmaline was born. Considered to be a gemstone that nurtures creativity in the arts, it is also valued by those who work with sufferers of trauma and is a jewel that champions sympathy and empathy to others. It is also a gemstone that signifies friendship and love.

QUARTZ

Amethyst and Citrine are of the quartz family and may have their own description, but the quartz mineral crystal comes in a wide array of forms. Many are used in our pieces, such as rutilated quartz and smoky quartz. Formed from silicon dioxide, quartz has always been an extremely popular and fashionable gemstone throughout history. Valued for its range of color and luster it is known as the stone that enhances others and amplifies their strengths. They are also associated with the gift of life and nature as well as having connections with the spiritual realm.

SPINEL

Usually distinguished by their darkness of tone, spinel comes from a large collective group of isometric oxide minerals, including galaxite and ceylonite among others. It has had a recent surge in popularity due to its ability to complement other gemstones in a rich and luxurious setting. They are present in a wide range of colors, and therefore have versatility and can be used creatively. Spinel is associated with refreshing energy levels as well as overcoming adversity. Other beliefs are that it helps the wearer to develop humility

TOPAZ

Topaz has ever been a popular jewel and its name derives from the sanskrit word for fire. It comes mostly in a colorless gemstone but other more frequent varieties are in a pale sparkling blue, similar to aquamarine. It also can be found in a wide range of other colors and is one of the silicate gemstones. It is one of the pleochroic gemstones and as such will transform in color when viewed from varying angles. It is known as being symbolic of affection as well as promoting long life and good fortune.

PERIDOT

Rich in magnesium, peridot is sometimes known as the ‘evening emerald’ because of its ability to sparkle a rich, deep green in artificial light. The meaning of the name is French and is connected to the word ‘gold’ because the color and hue of the gemstone can vary from dark green to a pale yellow-green. It has long been prized as the national jewel of Egypt and is revered as a gemstone that works to aid friendship and dissolve jealous thoughts.

CHRYSOBERYL

TSAVORITE

It is no myth that ‘diamonds are forever’ as they are literally the most durable mineral on earth. Throughout history, diamonds have been the highest valued of all of the gemstones and are connected with the ultimate expression of love, strength and endurance. Diamonds are prized for their colorless hue but some that have a rare color are extremely sought after. We have used Black Diamonds in several of our pieces for their shine and opacity. Diamonds are the hardest substance and will never scratch or get damaged, hence the Ancient Greeks naming them ‘adamas’ which means ‘indestructible’. Diamonds enhance the connection between body and mind, offering the wearer total clarity.

CUBIC ZIRCONIA

Man made to imitate the sparkle of diamonds, cubic zirconia has its own unique personality and luster that can enhance more prominent gemstones. It is durable and clear and very interesting to work with, and as a synthetic material, jewelers have long prized it’s resilience and useability. It adds character to many of our pieces and is usually colorless, although color can be added in the forming process.

PEARLS

Pearls have a timeless elegance all of their own. Their beauty is prized throughout the world and throughout the ages, never wavering and always loved. Pearls can be found naturally or can be cultured but are usually in tones of either white or cream. Pearls have a flawless sphere-like shape that is abundant with beauty and they are a joy to use in our jewelry. Pearls are connected with Goddesses as well as with loyalty and purity.