Natalie Lund Owens

 As a jewelry artist, I specialize in creating unique, handcrafted designs that combine the beauty of silver and mixed metals with the natural elegance of stones I cut and polish myself. My work reflects a deep appreciation for organic forms and textures, often blending the raw and refined to create pieces that are both timeless and contemporary. Drawing inspiration from nature and cultural artistry, I incorporate a variety of materials, including jasper, agate, and beads made from recycled African glass, African bone, and Czech glass. Each piece is a celebration of craftsmanship and individuality, designed to resonate with those who value artistry and authenticity. 

I think every metalsmith has a favorite project. Mine is argentium silver cuffs. I love the organic look and smooth feel of the completed cuff and enjoy the in the moment creativity of creating with fire. I also enjoy working with mixed metals. The contrast of silver, brass and copper presents an opportunity to create unique and interesting pieces.

Silver Alloys

Sterling Silver: 92.5 percent silver alloy. The remaining 7.5 is typically copper, but can sometimes incorporate other metals. The 7.5 percent add to the material’s hardness and durability.  Sterling silver is the most common silver used in jewelry and has been around for thousands of years.

Fine Silver: 99.9 percent silver alloy, the closest metal to the pure element. The remaining .1% is trace alloys, typically copper. It has a bright shine, but is a softer metal due to its purity making it easier to shape, but also easier to scratch or dent. The higher silver content makes it more tarnish resistant than sterling silver and has a bright silvery-white colar. Fine silver can be fused without solder and is typically used in enameling and keum boo (a method of applying thin layers of gold to silver).  Fine silver is more expensive than sterling silver.

Argentium Silver: A fairly new alloy developed in the 1990’s, argentium silver is 92.5 percent silver alloy. The remaining 7.5 percent is copper and germanium. The germanium creates a tougher and more tarnish resistant metal.  Argentium can be fused without the use of solder but can be more difficult to work with as it can crack when red hot. Argentium silver is more expensive than sterling or fine silver.

Base Metals

Base metals are used in a variety of applications. These metals are typically abundant in the earth’s crust and more accessible to mine and process than precious metals like gold and silver. Common base metals are copper, lead, tin, aluminum, nickel and zinc. Alloys of these metals are also base metals such as brass and bronze.