Touchstone™ Beads & Pendants
Frequently Asked Questions
Do they smell like herbs?
Touchstone™ beads and pendants have organically-grown or wild-harvested herbs thoroughly incorporated into the polymer clay. Once the clay is cured, you will probably not be able to smell the herbs. Occasionally, body heat will release a hint of the herbal fragrance, but it will certainly not overpower perfumes.
Do the colors of the beads and pendants mean anything?
Yes. The colors, like the herbs, are selected for their sympathetic metaphysical correspondence.
How do I wear my Touchstone™ jewelry?
Touchstone™ jewelry is intended to be touched! It is recommended that pieces be worn against the skin. PLEASE NOTE: If you have an allergy to any ingredient in a Touchstone™ recipe, we recommend you do NOT purchase that recipe. While the herbs are thoroughly incorporated into the clay, there is no way to guarantee your skin will not come in contact with an allergen. Please be aware of this and use common sense when selecting your pieces.
My pendant is not the same color/size as the one my friend has – why not?
Each pendant is individually handmade. They are generally made in small batches, and while every attempt is made at consistency, clay colors and pendant sizes may vary from batch to batch.
Can I wear more than one at a time?
Yes, but be sensible about it. Wearing a Restful Sleep pendant with an Energy pendant is likely to be counterproductive. Wearing more than one of the same pendant probably won’t have much additional effect either.
Are the cords leather?
No. I use cotton, hemp, nylon or rayon cording. In general, I don’t use animal products in my work unless I “upcycle” them out of something else (for example, I’ve occasionally found vintage multi-strand necklaces of bone beads in thrift stores, and I have re-used those beads in some pieces.) I do list my materials in my product descriptions, so if there’s some material you’d prefer not to buy, you can make that choice easily.
Are the findings silver?
I use nickel-free, lead-free, hypoallergenic silver-plated beads and findings. Some people are particularly sensitive to metals that are not sterling silver or gold. If this is the case, sterling findings are available for an additional cost.
Can I wear them in the shower/bath/while swimming?
Yes. The pendants and beads themselves are quite durable and won’t be affected by water. Excessive chlorine may lighten the color of your beads and pendants some but it will not remove the color, just as long-term wear may darken the color. HOWEVER. The cords may be affected adversely. The cords will be affected by normal wear and tear, but water and chemicals will hasten that process. This is expected. Note that I will replace cords free of charge for as long as you own the pendants.
How do I store/care for my Touchstone™ jewelry?
Touchstone™ jewelry can be stored however you store the rest of your jewelry – in a jewelry box, hanging on a rack, etc. It can be difficult to tell the difference between Touchstone™ recipes by sight alone, though, so each piece is accompanied by an identifying tag and packaged in a small organza bag. You may wish to hang on to those to keep your Touchstone™ pieces organized. Pieces can be cleaned with a soft, damp cloth. Do not use any cleaners or solvents. Cords are cotton, rayon, nylon or hemp and may absorb and retain odors from perfumes, hair products, soaps or skin oils. You can rinse the cords in warm water, squeeze out excess moisture and air-dry if necessary.
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