When the Bulb Burns Out, Don't Throw the Lamp Away!
We shall introduce a special material Agalil uniquely implement for jewelry crafting, the concept of modularity and how we combine the two to create high value handcrafted jewelry.
Modularity
Techniques employed in crafting jewelry are diverse. Many of these methods work like... LEGO - the designer selects individual pieces and joins them together; skillfully and artistically, of course!
The key point is: a piece of jewelry made this way consists of components. It is possible to individually remove the components or change them.
This is modularity.
Factory produced jewelry usually comes as one whole piece cast from a mould. They may present modularity too but generally not as explicit as handmade jewelry.
Modularity is an important characteristic of handmade jewelry. If it exists in your jewelry and you understand its merits, you are able to draw extra mileage from your jewelry with this knowledge.
Power Knowledge
When a bulb in your house burns out, what do you do?
Do you throw away the lamp and buy a new set?
Ok, Sure. You can make that an excuse to go shopping for new household accessories.
Or, you can just change the bulb. You don't have to throw the lamp away!
Same thing with a piece of modular jewelry. If a part is damaged, you don't have to give your jewelry to a thrash bin if you would still like to keep it around. Look for a jewelry crafter who practices the same crafting technique to change the damaged part of the jewelry.
Presto! Bulb replaced.
I mean... jewelry repaired.
Change the Bulb. Again?
If you are tired of the yellowy light emitting from your lamp's tungsten bulb, do you throw your lamp away and buy a new one with energy saving daylight bulb?
I know, I know. You want to throw that lamp away just so I wouldn't bring it up again.
Where were we?
Ah, yes. Or you can just change the bulb to give you a different kind of light. You don't have to buy a new lamp.
Same thing with a piece of modular jewelry. If you have grown tired of it or would like a change of colour, have parts of it changed for a make-over!
Modularity is wonderful. We are big fans of modularity. We like to make our jewelry as modular as possible.
Introducing... Ally
As we are obsessed with quality, we test materials out extensively to uncover those that will produce lasting jewelry.
There was a period when we received many requests to replace tarnished connectors and parts in handmade jewelry bought elsewhere.
Connectors? Mmmm, as mentioned, jewelry can be put together like LEGO. There has to be someway to hold the parts together. One method uses 'connectors' crafted from metal pins.
We didn't enjoy that kind of work. For starters, it was major surgery!
Inconspicuous, yet Critical
'Connectors' are the skeleton and sinews of a jewelry piece. They are everywhere and they are tiny and intricate. Replacing all the 'connectors' in a jewelry piece is almost as much work as crafting a new one. (photo)
Besides, touching and handling these badly tarnished, coarse, ugly things make us cringe.
We realized that quality in the 'connectors' is more important than anywhere else.
This is radical thinking. 'Connectors' are just about the most inconspicuous parts in jewelry. But when they tarnish and turn ugly, they become prominent and 'kill' the jewelry. They need to be polished or replaced or few will want to wear the jewelry. We won't even want to touch it.
Our focus and effort naturally directed to hunting down the best possible solution - the best possible material for crafting 'connectors'. And... we found it!
We Found Ally
It is a non-tarnish, non-rust alloy imported from Korea. It is not plating. It won't wear off. Like gold, it doesn't oxidize. Unlike gold, it does not require cleaning or maintenance.
Does it suffer from any drawbacks? Yes, it comes in limited forms. We can make 'connectors' out of them and little else.
It's a pity we can't make whole jewelry pieces out of this wonder alloy but our objective is accomplished. By crafting the skeleton and sinews of jewelry out of this indestructible metal, you would not need to worry about replacing 'connectors'.
That's the best investment you can make in handmade jewelry.
We are so please to have found and use this alloy, we have been affectionately referring to it as Ally. (photo)
Modularity + Ally
When Ally is incorporated into a piece of modular jewelry, you'll reap the following benefits:
the core of the jewelry is precious metal quality. (solid, non-tarnish, non-plated metal)
maintenance free details - when 'connectors' tarnish, they need to be polished or cleaned as well and it is difficult as they are small and the inner parts are hard to reach. Ally is maintenance free.
lower maintenance cost - generally, only the parts at the fringes need replacing. This lowers repair costs. No more major surgery or overhauls.
changing and replacing parts is convenient and easy, attracting lower workmanship fees.
Ally is very, very hard. They are unlikely to be marred by tools when connectors are manipulated to change parts. Can't say the same for other metals.
The result is high value, enhanced handcrafted jewelry.
Jewelry made this way are beautiful and stays beautiful. Easy to maintain. Easy to transform.
What more can you ask for?
"Low prices?"
You'll have that too.
When Ally is present in a piece of Agalil Jewelry, we'll just use the short description: 'Ally connectors' instead of the full form:
'Non-tarnish, Non-rust, Super Duper alloy connectors'
The key point is: a piece of jewelry made this way consists of components. It is possible to individually remove the components or change them.