Abstract: A sterling silver alloy composition consisting of in parts by weight: at least 92.5% silver, 0.5%-1.2% palladium, 3.4%-4.8% copper, 0.5%-1.5% zinc, 0.1%-1.5% indium, wherein zinc and indium combined content is not greater than 2.4%, 0.3%-1% germanium, and 0.005%-0.05% silicon.

Abstract: A jewelry item that is for support from the body of a user in order to display the jewelry item. The jewelry item includes a base member and at least one charm that is for support from the base member, the charm having a display end where an indicia piece is formed and a support end in the form of an elongated support post. The base member includes at least one opening for receiving the support post of the charm so as to retain the charm in place relative to the base member.

Abstract: An earring post construction that includes an elongated earring post and a cup that is for the support of a decorative piece. The elongated earring post and cup are integrally formed in a single piece construction so as to eliminate the use of any attachment means between the elongated earring post and the cup; in combination with a securing stud that engages with the elongated earring post, and wherein there is provided an elongated passage in the elongated earring post so as to minimize the amount of precious metal used in constructing at least the elongated earring post.

Abstract: An earring post construction that includes an elongated earring post and a cup that is for the support of a decorative piece. The elongated earring post and cup are integrally formed in a single piece construction so as to eliminate the use of any attachment means between the elongated earring post and the cup; in combination with a securing stud that engages with the elongated earring post, and wherein there is provided an elongated passage in the elongated earring post so as to minimize the amount of precious metal used in constructing at least the elongated earring post.

Abstract: A metal canister that is used in the fabrication of an item, the metal canister comprised of a first metal layer, and a second metal layer that is clad to the first metal layer so as to form a sheet stock, wherein the first metal layer comprises Tantalum and the second metal layer comprises Niobium or Molybdenum. The first metal layer of Tantalum is on an inner surface of the canister when formed. The canister can be comprised of more Niobium (or Molybdenum) than Tantalum, more Tantalum than Niobium (or Molybdenum), or approximately equal amounts of each of the Niobium (or Molybdenum) and Tantalum. The sheet stock can be clad together by mechanical bonding under high pressure of at least 1,000,000 psi. Prior to cladding, the materials can be subject to a brushing to deoxidize the materials.

Abstract: An earring post construction that includes an elongated earring post and a cup that is for the support of a decorative piece. The elongated earring post and cup are integrally formed in a single piece construction so as to eliminate the use of any attachment means between the elongated earring post and the cup; in combination with a securing stud that engages with the elongated earring post, and wherein there is provided an elongated passage in the elongated earring post so as to minimize the amount of precious metal used in constructing at least the elongated earring post.

Abstract: A method of forming a canister by means of a mechanical bonding of respective layers of a first metal material (tantalum) and a second metal material (niobium) to form a sheet stock, thereby forming the sheet stock into a canister form, wherein the first metal material comprises tantalum and the second metal material comprises at least one of niobium, molybdenum, or steel. The completed canister comprises a first metal material comprising tantalum, and a second metal material mechanically bonded to the first metal material by subjecting the first and second metal materials to at least 1,000,000 psi, to thereby form a canister having an inner diameter of 13-19 millimeters (mm), the second metal material comprising at least one of niobium, molybdenum, or steel.

Abstract: An earring post construction that includes an elongated earring post and a cup that is for the support of a decorative piece. The elongated earring post and cup are integrally formed in a single piece construction so as to eliminate the use of any attachment means between the elongated earring post and the cup; in combination with a securing stud that engages with the elongated earring post, and wherein there is provided an elongated passage in the elongated earring post so as to minimize the amount of precious metal used in constructing at least the elongated earring post.

Abstract: An earring post construction that includes an elongated earring post and a cup that is for the support of a decorative piece. The elongated earring post and cup are integrally formed in a single piece construction so as to eliminate the use of any attachment means between the elongated earring post and the cup; in combination with a securing stud that engages with the elongated earring post, and wherein there is provided an elongated passage in the elongated earring post so as to minimize the amount of precious metal used in constructing at least the elongated earring post.

Abstract: A method of forming a canister by means of a mechanical bonding of respective layers of a first metal material (tantalum) and a second metal material (niobium) to form a sheet stock, thereby forming the sheet stock into a canister form, wherein the first metal material comprises tantalum and the second metal material comprises at least one of niobium, molybdenum, or steel. The completed canister comprises a first metal material comprising tantalum, and a second metal material mechanically bonded to the first metal material by subjecting the first and second metal materials to at least 1,000,000 psi, to thereby form a canister having an inner diameter of 13-19 millimeters (mm), the second metal material comprising at least one of niobium, molybdenum, or steel.

Abstract: A jewelry snap setting for supporting a jewel and that includes a one-piece support member having a base portion having multiple sides and a plurality of elongated prongs with one extending from each respective side of the base portion. Each elongated prong includes contiguous respective proximal biasing and distal retaining portions. Each proximal biasing portion extends integrally from a respective side of the base portion, and at least said proximal biasing portion has an arcuate cross-section in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the proximal biasing portion.

Abstract: A formable decorative item that includes an outer sleeve having an outer decorative surface and an inner cavity, an elongated flexible plastic insert that is disposed within the inner cavity of the outer sleeve, and an elongated resilient wire element mounted with the elongated flexible plastic insert and that extends substantially a length of the elongated flexible plastic insert. The elongated resilient wire element is constructed and arranged so that the elongated resilient wire element can be formed in a predetermined configuration and maintained in that predetermined position so as to correspondingly maintain the outer sleeve in the predetermined position.