For my upcycled jewelry, I exclusively use second-hand beads and gemstones. I purchase the majority myself at flea markets. However, I also rarely pass a second-hand or buy-and-sell shop without checking if there's anything interesting. Some pieces are now also donated to me, for example, from house clearances or inheritances.

95% of the beads and stones used are of natural origin. I have developed a knack and feel for this from the beginning. In addition, there are simple methods to distinguish a real stone from plastic or similar. I try to research all stones to find out exactly what they are. While some are easier, there are occasionally colorations that are not so clear and cannot be identified without professional support.

Occasionally, I also buy jewelry made of other materials because I like the design and think it can be well incorporated.

If the clasps of the vintage jewelry are made of stamped silver (rarely gold), I reuse those clasps as well. For all other pieces of jewelry, I exclusively purchase 925 sterling silver accessories. The majority are bought from a Berlin goldsmith supplier that is certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC).