Frequently Asked Questions
Pewter is composed of several gray alloys of Tin with a small amount of Copper to harden it. It is malleable and does not tarnish. Our figurines are made from "lead free" Pewter which can be classified as American Fine Pewter. The fact that there is no lead gives the figurines a finer appearance and actually adds to the quality of each piece. All of the fine designs are first carved in wax by the artist, then cast in Bronze. The figurines are then reproduced in fine Pewter and finished by hand by skilled craftsmen. The finishing touch for many of the figurines is the addition of Austrian Crystal Gems and Prisms which add light and color.
Amethyst is a precious crystallized Quartz stone, which is purple or violet in color. It is the birthstone of February and has many legends concerning its mystical properties. We use only natural Amethyst that has not been cut or polished.
Agate is a rock composed of layers of Quartz, sometimes of different colors. It is distinguished by its brightly colored bands and has been one of the most popular semi precious gemstones for over 2,000 years. Small fractures, holes or pits are natural and common in Agate of this size. Some Pewter Figurines are mounted on a natural Agate base which was sliced on a Diamond saw and subsequently polished to a high luster.
Pyrite is a lustrous, yellow mineral occurring as a native ore recovered from mining operations high in the mountains. The resemblance of Pyrite to Gold caused many prospectors to mistake it for Gold and it became known as "Fools Gold". This Pyrite is all natural and has not be subjected to cutting or polishing.
Quartz Crystals are like snowflakes, no two are alike and while a snowflake is made by nature in seconds, Crystals are nurtured by nature and grow slowly over thousands of years. Due to the varying rate of growth, their sizes vary. They usually grow in clusters, often touching each other and when separated leave a mark on the other Crystal. This is not a chip or damage but a natural indentation marked by small lines. They are not glass but a combination of pure and impure chemicals. These chemicals remain inside the Crystal often making wispy cloud like inclusions, green or red planes of color, or even shiny reflections mirroring beautiful prismatic light.
Austrian Crystals are man made crystals. We use only Swarovski Crystals imported from Austria. These are the same stones used in the manufacture of fine jewelry. The finishing touch for many of our figurines is the application of these fine gems.
Sometimes an item will be marked "Limited Quantity". This is due to the fact that we were only able to obtain a limited supply of this item. When that amount is sold out, the item will no longer be available. Orders are accepted on a first come, first serve basis.
We strive to measure all of our products as accurately as possible. Since many of our items are hand crafted the sizes may vary slightly. Additionally, since many of the Pewter Figurines are mounted on a natural substance like Amethyst, Agate or Pyrite we cannot always control the size. Therefore, we label all our sizes as "approximate" to give the best representation of the size possible.