Ethos and Values
Did you know I have two degrees in ecology? I believe in sustainability and integrate it into my business from top to bottom. From recycled metals, to reclaimed stones and supporting local artisans, my work has a smaller footprint with a bigger impact.
Let me be clear: all are welcome here and I believe diversity makes us stronger as a community! I value all stories, expressions, love and loss stories, and it is an honor to hold space for you no matter your background. I am an ally and I hope you feel comfortable and welcome here.
About the Jewelry
I offer a variety of jewelry, all of which has the common thread of storytelling and history. There are three main areas of my work - custom and bespoke jewelry for all occasions, mourning jewelry and vintage/antique jewelry. One of the most unique aspects of my work is my process. For my custom, bespoke and mourning pieces, I engage with you in a deep and meaningful way to be able to create jewelry that matches your exact story. I am often the jeweler that people go to when they can't find what they're looking for elsewhere, or perhaps they have a more complicated story or emotion that deserves to be captured. This level of depth is rarely offered by other jewelers.
Community and supporting the local economy are exceedingly important to me. Each of my custom and bespoke pieces are made on Jeweler's Row in Philadelphia, by a team of people that includes casters, stone setters, enamel and engraving artists. This keeps these dyings arts alive and ensures that the most historic jewelry district in the nation lasts for future generations. Occasionally I do customize prefabricated mountings or designs (such a plain wedding band which I then customize with engraving and gemstones), and the prefab pieces are made in Louisiana.
I love curating vintage and antique jewelry for the shop. I adore the history and stories within each piece, and the privilege of preserving a piece of history. I curate a variety of vintage and antique jewelry, everything from more rare Victorian pieces to estate jewelry from the 1970's, 80's and 90's. Each shop listing will tell you about the provenance, condition and other details of the piece you purchase.
Custom jewelry is using an existing model or template but customizing it to your preference. For instance choosing a color enamel for the There is a Light ring, or choosing what you would like placed under the quartz in your pendant. Bespoke jewelry is creating a piece together that is completely one-of-a-kind and specific to your exact story. You can see many bespoke pieces in my jewelry portfolio.
Mourning, or memorial, jewelry is any type of jewelry that honors a person who has died. Mourning jewelry is not a new concept, as you can read in this article I wrote about its history. Stacey Fay mourning jewelry can hold cremation ash, a lock of hair from a person or pet, fabric, or a picture. I believe these sentimental materials deserve high quality craftsmanship, so I do not use resin in any of my work. I use enamel, engraving and fine gemstones and metals to create my mourning jewelry.
Stacey Fay mourning jewelry can also include engraved fingerprints or a meaningful symbol, initial or word, as I believe more discrete mourning designs that looks like ordinary jewelry can be beautiful.
My take on mourning jewelry is to weave together grief with celebration - honor the deep and difficult feelings and give voice to your story, while simultaneously embracing the joy and memories associated with the person you miss so deeply. I offer mourning jewelry that is customizable - such as the cremation ash initial ring and the quartz crystal pendant - and I also do bespoke one-of-a-kind pieces that are made to capture your exact story and feelings.
Product Quality & Care
Due to the unique qualities of gemstones, glasswork, and metal, as well as visual differences between computer monitors, the beautiful jewelry you receive may look slightly different from the picture on the website. In addition, some items are each individually handmade and thus have slight variations. Please do reach out to us with any questions you have on an item before you make a purchase.
We wrap each item carefully and beautifully such that it's ready for gift giving. All of our packaging is made of recycled materials, giving you peace of mind on the ecological footprint of your purchase. Each listing says exactly what comes with each piece and what does not.
The entire Stacey Fay Designs jewelry line is made to last a lifetime. However, like any precious item, it requires care to keep it in good shape. Here are some tips for cleaning and keeping your jewelry.
Always be conscious of your jewelry when you’re getting dressed! It should be the last thing you put on for your outfit, and the first thing you take off at night.
Remember that metals react to both humidity in the air (leading to tarnish) and chemicals they are exposed to throughout the day. Store your jewelry, don’t just keep it lying out in the open air, and keep it away from chemicals such as sunscreen, hairspray, perfume, etc. Be sure not to exercise in your jewelry—it doesn’t like sweat!
Be eco-conscious with cleaning your jewelry. The entire Stacey Fay Designs line is crafted from sustainable sources such as recycled metal, and we believe that jewelry can be cleaned in the same way. Tarnish can be removed from most sterling silver jewelry by soaking it in a bath of boiling water and baking soda. Tarnish can be removed from sterling silver, bronze or copper using a toothbrush, water and just a dash of natural toothpaste. For gold jewelry we recommend using a toothbrush and a gentle natural soap, or using an ultrasonic cleaner. Just be sure to avoid delicate gemstones in the ultrasonic, such as opals, pearls, treated sapphires and others.
If your jewelry had a patina when you first bought it–a black or green color highlighting the design–you do not want to scrub that patina or put it in boiling water, as it may come off. We recommend that you scrub the bare metal around the patina while cleaning it, and rinse when done.
Yes, it does over time. The best way to prevent it is to store your jewelry in an airtight container such as a jewelry box or ziploc baggie, and keep it away from sweat and humidity. Wearing your jewelry often will also help prevent tarnish. However, metal is super easy to clean! See above under “how do I care for my jewelry?”
Remember the rule of thumb from above (and Chemistry 101)—chemicals of any kind lead to tarnish and other reactions with metals, so it’s best to take your jewelry off when you’re swimming, particularly if you’re swimming in a treated pool or hot tub.
If your handmade (not vintage) jewelry breaks, we will repair or replace it free of charge (minus shipping costs) within three months of date of purchase. For handmade work beyond three months or for vintage pieces, please contact us to discuss the repair that’s needed and we will do our best to help.
I currently am not doing wholesale. However I will have some upcoming shows for my vintage jewelry in 2027 at SHIFT in Narberth, PA.
Are you a retailer interested in selling Stacey Fay Designs in your store? Please contact us.
Absolutely! We will work with you every step of the way to bring your vision to life, and create a truly special and unique jewelry piece for you or a loved one. Please see our custom order page for more information.
Shipping
Items are usually shipped within 2 business days. Occasionally this shipping time will be extended. If the team is on vacation, an updated shipping schedule will be communicated.
Our custom and bespoke jewelry requires upwards of 8 weeks to complete. If you need your purchases sooner, please contact us to see if we can accommodate your request.
Orders are shipped via USPS First Class or Priority Mail flat rate shipping (from Philadelphia, PA) with insurance.
Returns and Exchanges
We strive for happy customers! If you are unhappy with your purchase of vintage jewelry, we are glad to accept it for return in its original, unused condition, minus the cost of shipping. Returns must be communicated within 3 days from the date that the item is received. Please contact us prior to sending us an item for return – returns are not accepted without prior approval by email.
Custom and bespoke pieces are non-refundable and non-returnable once the piece is created, given the level of craftsmanship involved. However, we are always here to answer any questions or provide any assistance over the lifetime of the piece, and we stand by the quality of our work. We also communicate thoroughly throughout the entire custom/bespoke process so that you feel heard, cared for and informed every step of the way.
