how do i take care of my jewelry?

Please handle your Armed With Ardor pieces with the same care and attention as you would a work of art. Avoid dropping or bumping your jewelry against hard surfaces, as the impact may scratch, chip, or shatter the stones. Do not bend or pull on the chains. Refrain from wearing your jewelry while exercising, bathing, swimming, or sleeping. If some chains oxidize over time, creating an "antiqued" appearance, the item can be sent to a jewelry cleaning service. Chains can also be cleaned simply using a lemon and baking soda solution. Stones can be cleaned with a soft cloth.

returns and exchanges

At this time Armed With Ardor does not take returns but will gladly exchange your purchase for equal or lesser value within 14 days of receipt in its original packaging, provided there is no damage to the piece. Please email contact@armedwithardor for more information.

do you do alterations or repairs?

If the chain is too long or short or a clasp is broken, I can often alter or repair the piece. Please allow two to three weeks for alterations and a fee of $75. If a stone is chipped or cracked, it is not repairable. It is very important to be mindful not to drop the stones or let them collide with hard surfaces.

CAN i request a bespoke or commissioned piece?

I would be delighted to create a custom piece for you. We could explore alternative stone or chain combinations for an existing design, subject to material availability. Additionally, if you possess a stone of sentimental value, we could collaborate on a design to set it using the materials I typically work with. Please note that bespoke pieces can take up to six weeks to complete, and there is an additional fee for my time determined at the conception of the project.

are your pieces hypoallergenic?

The epoxy and resin compounds are jewelry grade and hypoallergenic. Almost all of the chains I source are high-quality nickel-free brass, gold-fused, or silver-plated.

Where are you based?

Primarily crafted in my Marlboro, Vermont art studio, Armed With Ardor jewelry ships worldwide. I also dedicate extended work periods a few times a year in Brooklyn and Sag Harbor, New York, and occasionally undertake month-long residencies abroad.

Do you collaborate with other artists or brands?

I am always open to collaborating. Please reach out via email if you have a project in mind.

can i see your work in person?

To view the jewelry in person, please visit the AWA boutiques listed at the bottom of each website page. If you are in New York City or the Hamptons, I may be able to arrange a personal viewing appointment, subject to my schedule. Please contact me if you are interested in setting up a meeting.

What materials do you use in your JEWELRY?

The jewelry is made by way of hand molding and sculpting a unique epoxy, embedding it with gold and silver dust, gold leaf, 18K gold leaf paint, resin, rare vintage chains, and raw and refined crystals and other ethically sourced hand-cut stones.

are your pieces handmade and one-of-a-kind?

Yes. Each piece is handcrafted by me, the artist and is as unique as is the stone it incorporates.

where do you source your stones and chains?

Sourced in NYC, some rare vintage chains date back to the 1930s. I handpick each stone, sourcing some from their indigenous locations worldwide. Other stones are sourced from sustainable, family-owned mines in Cristalina and Minas Gerais, Brazil.