About

Gold vermeil typically consists of sterling silver that has been electroplated with a very thin layer of 14k gold. The resulting precious metal has the warm tones of gold, and will last as long as any solid gold piece under normal wear.

Gold and silver are pure elements (Aurum and Argentum) caught up in stone deep below the surface of the earth. Ore deposits are formed through the imperceptible, aeonian shifting of the tectonic plates which, over millennia, are brought close enough to the surface for extraction. This process is elaborate and takes time, which means refined gold and silver will always be highly valued, even more so when turned into intentional objects of beauty by the hands of skilled artisans.

Artist

Roberta and Talley Starbird are a mother and daughter team designing jewelry out of their Austin, Texas, based studio. "When I was little," Talley says, "my mom and I would bond by taking crafting classes together." An avid crafter, Roberta has tried everything from knitting to quilting, but working with metal has been the most rewarding. Jewelry design grew naturally out of Roberta's interest in working with color and pattern to create wearable art.

After fifteen years working as a computer analyst for IBM, Roberta decided to focus on building her skills as a jeweler, making singular pieces for herself and for friends. "I think I became a jeweler because I like jewelry so much," Roberta says. "I liked focusing my creative ideas on that medium." After Talley graduated from college with a degree in math, the two started a business creating their fanciful jewelry together.

In her spare time, Talley loves to swing dance, and often travels to other cities for West Coast Swing conferences. She also plays soccer, and has two kittens, Walnut and Nugget, as well as two guinea pigs named Ansel and Flower Pot. Roberta reads mystery novels and often spends the evenings doing crossword puzzles with her husband. She has a corgi named Pip, "but Talley is hard at work trying to convince me to get another dog," says Roberta.

Roberta and Talley still enjoy taking metal smithing classes together, learning new techniques, honing their skills, and bonding.

Details

• drop earrings with sterling silver ear wires
• 1" sterling silver and gold vermeil medallions
• TLC for your sterling silver and gold vermeil jewelry