Frequently Asked Questions

"Did you make all of the jewelry?"

Though I make most of the jewelry we carry, I like to support other artists and have carried local artists’ work before. When this occurs, it will be clearly noted in the item description and on the Certificate of Authenticity if the piece includes one. Anything with the House of Dubhrós makers mark was made here, by me or my family. Pieces by other artists will usually have the artist’s name or makers mark next to the hallmark.

"Is all your jewelry handmade?"

Yes. With the exception of some of the stock chains we carry, all of our jewelry is handmade. The chains in question will be clearly listed as not handmade. We sometimes carry these chains in addition to our handmade chains because some folks just want a way to wear our creations without doubling the cost of the piece in question.

"Where did you learn to make jewelry?"

I originally studied under Sam Howeth, where I learned several traditional methods of metalworking by hand. Through trial and error I devloped many of the other techniques I use now, such as how to make malleable reticulated silver.

"I think I have one of your pieces, how would I know?"

All but the smallest pieces created by House of Dubhrós should have either one of our hallmarks on it, or be signed. You can also check the Certificate of Authenticity, or CoA; if you have one. It should have not only a picture and name of the piece, but a written description, plus the signature and thumbprint of the artist.

"Where did you find your information for the library pages?"

I have a background in Anthroplogy and Classiscs, and much of it has been personal or commissioned research. Becasue of my acidemic work I did not want to include anything that could not be substantiated or proven to be a historical part of folklore. To this goal i refrenced a multitude of different books, manuscripts, and other sources in my research. Many of these origional texts can be found in the Scriptirium or on Google Scholar.

“But I read this symbol means…” or “This website says…”

We get emails that start this way every so often. I enjoy folklore immensely, however fakelore is rampant online and with many modern authors. Fakelore when someone attempts to accredit new concepts to older sources without cause, or to commodify the ideal of folklore in order to sell their goods or make a political statement. I have attempted to substantiate the information used on this site by examining the origional sources. I took is a step farther and included much of the refrence matierial in the Scriptorium whenever possable.

Unfortunately, the old adage “A Lie Can Travel Halfway Around the World Before the Truth Puts On its Shoes” is even more correct in today's world of social media, and the anonymity of the internet. I welcome any discussion involving reputable sources, and have learned quite bit from some of my more academic customers, but please do not attempt to justify your positions with empty appeals to faceless authority.

“Do you remember me? I was wearing a Celtic shirt at the Irish Festival.”

In addition to having a cognitive issue recognizing faces, I see literally hundreds of people a day. Please do not be offended if I do not remember you, especially if we only communicated by phone or email. And if you insist on trying to dive into the dark and musty recesses of my mind to pull a memory from a rusted chest, please cite our conversation, which I am much more likely to remember than a face.
For some reason people often pick the most standard things to describe themselves. I would remember you more if you were not wearing a Celtic shirt at the Irish Festival, or were the one not dressed in black at a Goth party.

“I wear the ruin I got from you and now the bats don’t chase me, but my neighbor will not talk to me. Do you think he is a demon or just evil. I am not crazy it just sounds that way in typing”

Ok… well…. sure you’re not. Folks, I enjoy a good tale of the supernatural, probably more than the next guy, but I am not qualified to be a psychiatrist; nor am I inclined to be your priest, teacher, or pet magician. Where I do not want to discourage you from asking honest questions, please at least use spell check before you hit send.