Collections
In our collections, you will find contemporary approaches to jewelry making in rings (from fashion rings, to diamond engagement rings, to wedding bands) , bracelets, pendants, earrings, and cufflinks by fusing the modern with precious and non-precious materials. In our collections, you will find stunning pieces combining gold, silver, platinum, diamonds, rubies and sapphires, with non-traditional materials, such as carbon fiber, stainless steel, and concrete.

Carbon Fiber
Carbon is the most common chemical element found freely in nature. Plants and most natural organisms consist of carbon, with graphite being on of the softest know material forms of carbon, and diamond being one of the hardest forms.

In the 1900s a new group of materials called composites appeared. Carbon fiber is one of the latest reinforcement materials used in composites. The combination of carbon and other elements produces an extremely light, extremely strong compound called "carbon fiber", which consists of microscopic fibers made up of the same compound wound tightly together and then held there with a very strong adhesive.

This high-tech material is extremely lightweight, yet incredibly strong. It provides optimum structural properties, which make it better than most metals, and stronger and lighter than steel for many applications. Carbon fiber can be found in many applications today, including the Stealth bomber and Formula 1 race cars, and in construction.

Today, carbon fiber has been developed for use in the aeronautical and space industry technologies, where stringent and sophisticated requirements are inherent, such as the Stealth bomber, satellites, the Space Station, rocket motor casings. It can also be found in everyday articles and purposes where extraordinary high performance was needed, such as Formula One race cars, sports equipment, boats etc. It also has application in medicine, and is used in artificial human body parts.

Escapes Design is proud to feature designs made with this high tech, ultra modern material. In addition to its superior strength and durability properties, the spun carbon fiber material also has an attractive weave pattern design.

The many unique characteristics of stainless steel have been discovered by architects, engineers, artists, designers, metal smiths, and jewelers all over the world. Its longevity, light weight, strength, flexibility, easy maintenance, resistance to staining, corrosion, tarnish and oxidization has made it the material of choice for buildings, furniture, appliances, design, and, yes, accessories and jewelry.

We at Escapes are proud to feature contemporary designs in this most unique material, merging material and design in beautiful jewelry you will be proud to wear for years to come.

Glass Jewelry - Murano - Venetian - Made in Italy
Each glass jewelry item in our Glass Collection is handmade in Italy and created with Murano and Venetian glass and glass beads.

Where are they made:
Our beautiful glass items are made in Venice and Murano, Italy. Murano is actually one of a group of islands located North West of the city of Venice, Italy, which enjoys world wide fame and recognition for their glass art. Today the island is home to about 5000 Muranese, half of which work in the glass industry

Brief History:
The history of glass making in the area is believed to date back to the 8th century. In 1291, the Venetian Republic ordered glass makers to move their foundries to the island of Murano because the glassworks represented a fire danger in Venice. Politically, this consolidation favored the government by virtually isolating the very profitable glassmaking community and allowing the government to better oversee and manage the industry.

The industry was therefore concentrated in the island and glassmakers there became the leading citizens. Their prestige came at a price however: glassmakers were not permitted to leave the Republic, and heavy sentences were laid on those revealing secrets. This was the government's means of protecting the secrets and safeguarding the glass making techniques held by this very profitable monopoly.

Today, Murano continues to be a center of glass making and exporting. The style and artistry of their glass has maintained its value and their masters maintain their reputations throughout the world.

Quality:
Each piece is handworked, or blown by a human working in the furnaces in Murano.

Small bubbles that appear are a natural part of the glassblowing process. They are not flaws, rather contribute to the uniqueness of a piece.

Because they are handmade and not machine made there will appear slight variances, such as shape and size. No two items will ever be exactly the same. That's why the item you order will not appear exactly as pictured.

Glass Terms:

Lampwork
Lumè in Italian, it means that the beads were hand-worked over a natural gas flame which generates enough heat to melt the glass.

Avventurina
A process accidentally discovered and developed for glass use in Murano in the early 17th century. The avventurina (Avventuria in italian) gives a swirling iridescent and glittering copper and gold effect to the glass. The glass is crystallized from the melted mixture of transparent colorless glass with cuprous oxide and iron and lead oxides. The result is a shimmery, metallic look.

Gold and Silver Foil
Small squares of tissue thin 24kt gold foil and .925 sterling silver foil are used. A final coat of clear or translucent glass is layered over the gold and silver foil. Since the gold and silver are covered, they will not peel or chip away.

So, we invite you to escape for a while into Escapes Design, where we are sure you will find something fun, something special, or something unique to express your own personal style or enhance a special occasion.

Escapes will continue to transform itself, and we will continue to add to our Collections, so please keep us in mind as your source for unique items.

Thank you for choosing Escapes Design!

The Escapes Design Team