Gain essential insights into official copyrights for works of art.

Being transparent by adhering to U.S. laws and regulations when selling precious metal jewelry informs customers and creates trust. This article emphasizes the significance of accurate hallmarks and quality marks to guarantee purity and fineness, and highlights the distinctions between terms like "plated," "finished," and "electroplated" according to legal standards.

Q: I'm making a necklace with a pendant for a sister-in-law who has metal allergies. The pendant measures 3.5" long. I thought of making the necklace long enough to slip over the head so no metal findings would be used, but with the pendant so long, it would hang too low to look good. How would you finish a shorter necklace (16-17") without using metal findings?

Q: Sometime ago you had an article about copyright laws concerning bead patterns. I just sold a necklace that I now see the author of the pattern says it has been copyrighted--not to use for sale--I am terrified, please help.

Palladium (pay-law-dee-um) is a dense and lustrous, precious white-silver metal. Discovered in 1803 by William Wollaston, it is named palladium after the renowned asteroid Pallas, which is named after Athena, the ancient Greek Goddess of Wisdom. A cousin of the platinum metal group, this rare metal is popular for fine metal jewelry, findings and beads.

Items are made of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper or other alloy, proportions fixed by law. Sterling silver will "patina" in time, that is, its color will take on an "antique" look.