Razorbud, Whimsigoth Soldered Purple Cowrie Shell Ring

Q: These spikes hurt?

A:We're risky and dangerous! Just kidding... kinda. I just love the raw edge and uncompromising vibe of soldered jewelry, and maybe you do too. That's why I keep some spikes sharp on purpose.If it feels too sharp, you can easily file it the way you like. It's very simple, and don't worry about damaging it.

Q: Are they handmade?

A:Emmm... I don't think any robot could make this. Every piece is handmade, which means each one is one of a kind.

Q: Can soldered jewelry touch water? Will it oxidize? Can it get wet?

A:Yes, totally fine.

Q: Will the solder oxidize?

A: No, it won’t. I apply two layers of anti-oxidation treatment by default. One is metal passivation, and the other is a nano waterproof coating.

Q: Is soldered jewelry toxic? Is it safe to wear long‑term?

A:I've been soldering for years--if melted tin were poisonous, I'm already dead. Just kidding. Tin is actually extremely safe. Both US and EU regulations even allow tin in food‑contact products. Yes, I was worried too, so I did my homework. Our solder wire is custom‑made and contains only tin, with a bit of silver and copper--all perfectly safe metals. That's it, no other nasties.

Heads‑up for DIYers: Most off‑the‑shelf solder wire contains lead or rosin flux, which are TOXIC. Make sure your solder is lead‑free, flux‑free if you want to DIY. Otherwise, you are sacrificing your health for jewelry.

Q: Will soldered jewelry deform?

A:Although tin is softer than most metals, it is still metal, and normal wear won't deform it. But just like any other piece of jewelry, it still needs a bit of care. Avoid bending it forcefully or dropping it.

Q: Where do you collect these materials from? Did you kill these shells and insects?

A: No way, no way! I would never harm a single living creature for soldering. The materials come from many different sources. Some shells are collected from beaches. I know many beaches without tourists. Some are bought at small local markets, and some are provided by friends. I have artist friends who specialize in shell art. Shells are naturally dried and weathered in nature for a while before they’re suitable to use—freshly dead shells smell really bad. As for insects, there are plenty of insect corpses in the forest if you’re patient enough to look for them. If you are away from the city, under streetlights you can find many every day. I also have friends who breed insects, and there are always some that unfortunately die, so I ask them to give me those. There are many sources like this that I’ve developed over the years. For these reasons, some orders require a bit of time to find the materials, and some designs can only be made in limited pieces, and once sold the design is retired.

If you’re interested in learning more, you can check out my IG/TT. I’ve made videos introducing some of this.