COPPER IN THE TIME OF CORONA.
Greetings folks . . . this is a PSA from your favorite jeweler. We all know that copper is so very handsome, pretty and looks great with diamonds in it too. You also may know it helps with arthritis and tennis elbow but did you know it's been proven to help protect people from viruses? It’s true. Copper is antimicrobial. It kills bacteria and viruses, sometimes within minutes.
Now and always is a great time to be wearing all your copper jewelry. Please pass it on to your people!
An excerpt from a paper about the work of physician Victor Burq:
"Among the deaths by cholera, there had been no jewellers, goldsmiths, burnish-ers, foundry workers, boilermakers, and so on.”
More info from Victor Burq’s findings here: https://www.karger.com/Article/PDF/487667
And a great article on the power of copper here: https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/xgqkyw/copper-destroys-viruses-and-bacteria-why-isnt-it-everywhere
DISCLAIMER:
We are not doctors. Just believers in the powers of copper. Read about it for yourself : )
Growing up in the Midwest in an auctioneering family, John Paul was raised on buying things used and giving well-made items a second chance to be useful. The attitude of reusing & repurposing things has been in his blood ever since. Be it rummage sales, estate sales, thrift stores, auctions, craigslist or antique stores, he buys absolutely as much as possible, used. Nearly all of his large equipment and tooling is 50-100 years old. Some of his favorite tools include an anvil from Sweden, a fly press from the turn of the century, and his 100 year old 25lb Little Giant mechanical hammer. Most of his smaller hand tools are from the 1940's-70's. He finds great pleasure in rescuing old tools and working them in to his day-to-day operations.
Metals: John Paul Designs strives to use recycled metals whenever possible or applicable. All of the gold we use is 100% post consumer recycled from Hoover and Strong. We also spend time dismantling old jewelry, removing gems, separating the karats and colors and re-using clients' gold and platinum to create new works of art with their "recycled" gemstones and heirloom diamonds.
Diamonds: All of the diamonds used to create the John Paul Signature line as well as our custom designed work utilize conflict-free diamonds. John Paul Designs fully supports the Kimberley process, which is an International process used to track and certify diamonds. In April 2003, congress and President Bush passed a law adopting the Kimberley Process - a certification scheme that requires all US diamond retailers to buy diamonds from manufacturers who have documentation warranting that the merchandise was obtained through legitimate channels. Today, the US Customs Service actively enforces the Kimberley Process requirements as diamonds enter American ports. The Kimberley Process is by no means perfect, though we stand behind it while it becomes more standardized.
Displays: Nearly all of the cases & displays at our gallery are old artifacts and objects of interest that John Paul found while "making his rounds" as he likes to call it, antiquing and junking. Over the years, this has led to a fair amount of people who bring things they see that remind them of JPD's displays. Occasionally, some people find his displays more interesting that the jewelry! Egad!
Packaging: We strive to use as many American made items as absolutely possible. From our hand stamped Kraft bags, to the light bulbs in our fixtures, we are relentless in pursuing the origin of an object and doing our best to support local makers & USA manufacturers.
Belief: A friend of his once said, "I want everything in my house to be beautiful, so no matter where you look or what you touch, you see or handle something beautiful." John Paul identified with that wish, and felt at ease knowing that he wasn't alone. This deeply held belief continues to inform every piece that he designs and creates.
However, there are a few things that you can do to take care of your treasured pieces, and show 'em some love. John Paul's designs incorporate a wide range of various metals and gems, and are built for active people who like to spend their time doing things they love, which doesn't usually include cleaning jewelry. Stop by and see us once or twice a year so that we can check gemstones and give your pieces a great professional clean. In between visits, here are a handful of easy care tips to keep in mind...
Your jewelry is meant to be worn and enjoyed, not worried about. So strap on that bike helmet & go for a ride, put that kayak in the river & paddle away - but when it's time to relax and soak those sore muscles in a hot tub or hot springs, leave your pieces in a safe place. The chemicals can discolor the finish and patina.
In regard to patinas, if your piece is sterling silver or copper, it will continue to develop its own unique patina that is a combination of its environment and your individual body chemistry. A safe way to protect that patina while cleaning your jewelry is to use a non-detergent soap like Dr Bronner's combined with a bit of water and a soft toothbrush to gently get into the tight places. Your platinum, palladium & gold jewelry can benefit from the same.
About scratches: they happen. When your jewelry is fresh off the bench, it's a perfectly blank polished slate - ready for adventures. Your piece will eventually hold a visual history of your life and what you've worked towards while wearing it. Each scratch is another chapter in your storybook, representing what you truly treasure and hold dear.
Occasionally your piece may require a check-in with the doctor for a minor repair. We are always happy to help keep the piece in a condition that you want to wear it every day. Please call or stop by to arrange an appointment.
"Days before the holiday proper, John Paul Designs announced a “Show Us Your Christmas Spirit” contest on Facebook. Revelers were invited to swing by and display as much Yuletide “razzle dazzle” as they could muster. Their photos were posted, and prizes — including a custom silver pendant — awarded for the most “likes.” One woman brought in a decorated 7-foot white Christmas tree; another showed up as Santa, bearing beer. “There were lots of votes cast, good hype, and we got quite a few new fans out of it,” says Amy Castaño, who handles marketing for the store."
