Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can you melt down my old jewelry or silver object and recycle it into a new piece?
No, I do not do casting and fabricate all of my pieces from sheet or wire in gold or silver. However, I can ship it to my precious metal supplier for it to be weighed and processed in order to get a credit towards metal for your new piece. See my Commission Policy for details on commissioning a custom design.
My supplier determines what the metal is worth and they put on my account that amount. You cannot get paid cash directly for it and I will not reimburse you in cash for the amount either, so you must order a custom design from me in which the credit will be applied. Therefore, your metal is non-refundable if you decide to move forward with my Process Fee.
If you would like for me to administer shipping your metal to my supplier, then I charge a $100 Process Fee for coordinating with you. You are responsible for delivering or shipping the metal to me, paying the shipping fee to the supplier, and the insurance fee for the package. I must ship the metal to the supplier, because I have an account with them and they put the amount on my account for me to order the metal for your new piece from them.
You receive as a credit on my account a percentage of the market price on the day it arrives depending on what precious metal it is (sterling silver, 14k yellow gold, etc.). The percentage they deduct is the refining and processing fee. You do not get your metal back, because they refine it industrially in mass quantity with other scrap. I order from them the specific sheet or wire I need to make your new piece, which will not be your metal.
My supplier does not accept plated items, pieces with stones, other materials, or metals on them (must be just one solid metal), or unmarked gold or silver pieces (it must have a stamp indicating what the solid metal is, such as 14k, 18k, sterling, .925, etc.).
If you want to sell your metal yourself, then you can take it to a pawn shop or jewelry store that purchases jewelry or silver objects and coordinate that transaction yourself.
Email info@kaminerhaislip.com for additional details.
Do you do restoration, repairs, or replating?
No, but I can refer you to an expert in the specific area of what you need restored or repaired if you send an email with details to info@kaminerhaislip.com.
How did you get into silversmithing?
I grew up in my family’s hardware and appliance business in Aiken, SC, which directly influenced my interest in tools and equipment. In high school I learned to weld in the industrial tech class and began making sculpture and jewelry, which put me on the path to study silversmithing in college.
For more details, read my website Blog post “How did you get into silversmithing?”.
Where did you learn silversmithing?
I knew I wanted to major in jewelry and sculpture in college, so I attended Winthrop University. I studied under Alfred Ward, an English silversmith from London, for my BFA in Jewelry and Metals and MFA in Silversmithing and Design.
How do you make your pieces?
Check out the details of my handcrafted process on my website page Handcrafted Design.
Where can I buy your jewelry and functional home designs?
You can purchase my available designs directly from my website Store.
Email info@kaminerhaislip.com for custom Commission inquiries and Price Upon Request (POR) item quotes for pieces in my online Shop.
I sell my work regularly at exhibitions and trunk shows all over the country, so check my website Blog for event dates or sign up for my email newsletter for announcements on exhibits where you can purchase my work.
Helena Fox Fine Art sells a curated selection of my silver hollowware, flatware, home interior objects, and jewelry in their gorgeous gallery located in the historic South of Broad district of downtown Charleston, South Carolina.
Do you own a shop or gallery in Charleston?
No, I do not own a retail shop or gallery in Charleston. Please see above for where to purchase my work.
Do you sell your work in shops or galleries?
Yes, my work is for sale in one very exclusive gallery, so please see above for that location.
Do you sell your designs wholesale?
Collaborating on a custom, exclusive design is my preference for wholesale orders, but I do sell some pieces wholesale. Email me directly at kaminer@kaminerhaislip.com for details and pricing.
Do you consign your pieces to retail shops or galleries?
No, I do not consign my work unless it is for an exhibition.
What are your return, shipping, warranty, and purchase policies?
You can find my return, shipping, warranty, and purchase policies on my website Shop Policies page.
Do you work in gold?
Yes, I work in yellow, white, and rose gold. All gold items are custom and made to order. Check out a wide variety of gold pieces I have made in my website Portfolio.
You can also custom order my existing silver designs in my website Store in gold by emailing info@kaminerhaislip.com.
Can you make me a custom design?
Yes, I do accept custom commission orders. You can see examples of custom designs I have created on the Commission Work page of my website and view my Commission Policy that details the process.
Do you offer engraving?
Yes, most of my pieces can be personalized with hand engraving. Check out the details on my Hand Engraving website page.
Do you teach workshops?
Yes, I teach a semester elective metalsmithing and jewelry class at the American College of the Building Arts and we offer through a partnership with Redux Contemporary Art Center one day public workshops. To view the current workshop offerings and to sign up, visit Redux’s website at https://redux.givecloud.co/redux-acba
Do you give lectures?
Yes, I do give lectures. Email info@kaminerhaislip.com for details and fees.
How should I polish my silver hollowware, silver jewelry, and copper items? Do you have any tips?
Visit my Silver & Copper Product Care website page for directions and tips for polishing silver and copper and steps you can take to minimize polishing maintenance.