About Our Jewelry

Is all Barse jewelry sterling silver?

Our jewelry that is sold under the label Barse Sterling Silver is without exception, sterling. Pieces are marked with a "92.5" to signify authenticity.

Jewelry sold under the Bronzed by Barse label is bronze (an alloy of copper and tin). The earring posts on Bronzed by Barse pieces are sterling silver. The earwires on Bronzed by Barse earrings are gold plated sterling silver. So those with sensitive ears can safely wear any of our jewelry!

How do I know that my jewelry is a genuine Barse piece?

Each piece of Barse jewelry is stamped “Barse”, either directly on the piece, or on a sterling hangtag that is attached to bracelets or necklaces and some earrings. If you do not see the “Barse” stamp, it is not authentic Barse jewelry. The only exception would be a very delicate pair of earrings that do not have an area large enough for a stamp. Any Barse jewelry that you purchase from our retailers is presented on a card or hangtag with the Barse logo.

Bronzed by Barse pieces are also stamped with the Bronzed by Barse logo.

How are Barse designs created?

Our co-founder and lead designer, Melanie Barse Gobril creatively corrals a group of talented designers to interpret her artistic inspirations. Melanie travels worldwide to derive inspiration from other cultures; seeing the beauty in everything from classic Greek architecture to the Balinese jungles, Melanie brings the beauty of these cultures to her jewelry.

Each piece of jewelry begins with a sketch that is refined into a precise three-dimensional drawing that will be masterfully interpreted by our artisans in Thailand.

Where is Barse Jewelry made?

Production of our cast pieces is largely based in our own Thailand factory and coordinated by our offices there. Each perspective of jewelry is moulded, polished and usually set with stones that are cut specifically for these designs. Our mould craftsmen are masters at interpreting our designer’s creations and painstakingly form the moulds that will bring about our finished product.

Some of our designs are produced in China and Bali, where we also have overseas offices. The majority of our beaded items are hand strung locally in Dallas to ensure that proper assembly and quality is achieved.

What are the different stones used in Barse designs?

Unusual cuts of stone in sublime tonal mixtures have become a trademark for Barse. We often use opaque stones (those which do not allow any light to pass through) and translucent stones (those which allow light to pass) in combinations that offer truly unique mixtures. Finding stones that reflect current color trends is always a priority for the Barse design team.

Most stones used in Barse designs are cut from huge rough pieces of stone that are cut in our own factory by our expert lapidaries.

Generally we use genuine stones in our designs. Occasionally some of the stones that are used are dyed to achieve a desired color. It is common for many stones to be heat treated or dyed to achieve different hues. An example would be onyx, which is actually a deep gray when mined, then is heat treated to achieve the desired jet color. We also occasionally use glass, crystal, or cz in a design when a certain colorful hue is desired with an extra sparkle.

If you are wondering about a specific stone used in a Barse design, please refer to the Barse Stone Assortment sheet. It is a list identifying most of the stones we are currently using in our designs.

Is Barse jewelry waterproof?

We don’t advocate leaving any piece of jewelry, silver, gold, bronze or costume, in water for extended periods of time. Sterling silver is highly resilient but will lose its luster, as will any piece of fine jewelry, if repeatedly exposed to the elements. Sterling silver should never be exposed to chlorine bleach, as this can have an oxidizing effect and turn the silver to a dark brown or black. Therefore, never wear your silver jewelry into a swimming pool or hot tub. Any Barse jewelry with stones should not be exposed to water, as this could deteriorate the adhesives used to secure the stones.

What is the best way to keep Barse jewelry clean?

The ideal way to keep Barse jewelry clean is to regularly wipe it with a specially treated jewelry cleaning cloth, available through Barse. To keep stones clean, simply wipe with a damp cloth as needed.

Bronzed by Barse is electrocoated to prevent tarnishing. After normal wear, the coating will eventually wear off, at which time the jewelry can be cleaned with a bronze or brass cleaner commonly found at any store that sells cleaning products.