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You can also find us on the web at: Our Origins Charming Sam Studio was born out of the varied interests of artist Amy Steinberg. She began painting in 2001 and started the Charming Sam line of jewelry after her daughter was born in 2004. Amy's paintings are works based on voyages of the mind, travel both real and imagined to far away places. She begins her works by researching a region of interest, whether vast or specific, and delves into the area's architecture, colors, smells, and atmosphere. Part National Geographic junkie, part restless nomad, Amy strives to unlock the secrets of places by creating paintings that recall the moments when one first arrives in a new environment--the intoxicating feel of a new wind, the awakening of the brain as it absorbs different smells, unfamiliar architecture, geographic markers, the choreography of passersby, and local dialect all at once. She is interested in capturing a place, be it ancient Persia or contemporary Paris, at a precise and fleeting point in time. The paintings she creates represent places as she has come to understand them, whether through intensive reading, perusing photographs, recalling her own travels, or listening to the stories of friends native to a region that captivates her. Pieces may include collage elements, areas heavily textured with modeling paste, partially obliterated writing, elegant, curving flowers, and bold washes of color. The final product blends recognizable icons with rich, mysterious layers, evoking the romance of maps, early 20th Century travel posters, and wistfulness for something beyond our immediate grasp. The Charming Sam jewelry is all hand crafted by Amy and closely mirrors the work she does in her paintings. Each piece is delicately assembled using combinations of gold fill, gemstones and beautiful tid-bits she acquires from around the world. Charming Sam has been fortunate to be featured in some of the fashion industry's finest publications including, O-The Oprah Magazine, InStyle, Lucky, DailyCandy and Marie Claire. She resides in San Jose, CA and is represented on the east coast by Monsoon Gallery in Bethlehem, PA. Fine Gold Is marked 24 Kt. = 100% gold. 10/12/14/18 Kt. Gold - For most uses of gold the pure metal is too soft on its own and is therefore hardened by the addition of alloying elements (base metals), copper, silver, nickel, palladium and zinc. The final color is dependent on the ratios and type of alloys added including the final plating process. Gold Filled - A material that is overlaid by a mechanical process with a layer of gold. The gold layer must constitute at least 1/20th of the weight of the metal in the entire article. And is generally 14k or 12k. Gold Plate/d - A material that is plated with a layer of gold or gold alloy. The layer of gold, not less than 10 karat fineness, is required to be of a substantial thickness, and the minimum thickness throughout is required to be equivalent to one-half micron (or approximately 20 millionths of an inch) of fine gold. Gilt/Gold Flashed/Gold Washed - Are similar to gold plated, except they do not meet the minimum thickness specified for gold plated. These will tarnish quickly and are typically used in low-end costume jewelry. Resistance to Tarnish - 18 carat and 22 carat gold alloys are almost completely resistant to chemical attack while 14k, 12k and 9k gold are much less resistant to environmental exposure. In short the higher the carat plating done on any jewelry the less likely the item will discolor over time. The original bright finish can usually be restored quite inexpensively by a working jeweler for little cost should your chain become chemically or mechanically damaged over the years. |
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