Frequently Asked Questions

Artist's Statement

The elegant deer, whether it be a White tailed, Mule or diminutive Key Deer, is a study of grace in motion. Shy, alert, quick to sense danger, deer can spring away on legs at a moment's lone notice, tail flag raised as a signal to it's kin. Deer are members of the same family as Elk, Moose and Caribou. They are found wherever good habitat occurs. which may be forest, fields, or right in your own backyard. If you love nature, Wild Bryde Jewelry is designed with you in mind. Our designs are species-specific as well as pleasing to the eye.

— Wild Bryde tag for Petite Deer necklace
Wild Bryde North America Guide collection photo

About Wild Bryde

Mike Warner & Tracy Holzman

The story of the makers, the photo-etched brass craft, techniques and the wider Wild Bryde catalog — on the main About page.

Wild Bryde makers

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about identifying, collecting and caring for Wild Bryde — a vintage line no longer made, preserved here for the collectors who love it.

Note on Species Identification

Several North American designs are easy to mix up. Cougar, Bobcat and Lynx share a plain-coated cat profile — the cougar is long-tailed, the bobcat and lynx are short-tailed with ear tufts. Wolf, Coyote and Fox differ mainly in muzzle and ear proportion; Mule Deer, White-tailed Deer and Elk are told apart by antler shape and body size; and the raptors (Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, hawks and falcons) are often separable only by head and tail markings. Where an identification is uncertain the species is marked with an asterisk (*).

Explore the Other Collections

This collection is one corner of a much larger catalog. Start with the full Wild Bryde world gallery on the About page, then dive into the other collections in the network.

Jewelry Care

Wild Bryde pieces are sturdy, but a little care keeps them looking their best for decades. Most “tarnish” is really skin oils, hairspray, and dust — a gentle wash fixes it. For the full walkthrough, see our guide on cleaning vintage pieces without destroying the finish.

Gold & Rhodium Plated

  • Gold plating is a thick layer over brass — it will not tarnish on its own, since the plating seals the brass underneath.
  • Rhodium plating is a bright silver-tone layer over brass. It is thinner and more delicate, especially on high-contact pieces, so handle it gently.
  • For most dullness, soak 5–10 minutes in warm water with a drop of mild dish soap (Dawn works well), then rinse. Dry immediately with a lint-free microfiber cloth — never air-dry, which leaves water spots.
  • Never use abrasive polishes, silver dips, polishing cloths, or rotary wheels — they strip the plating and expose raw brass that will tarnish.
  • If brassy patches appear at friction points, the plating has worn through — stop cleaning that spot.

Sterling Silver

  • Solid sterling does tarnish over time — that is normal. Confirm it is sterling by the .925 or script STERLING hallmark.
  • Soak in warm water with mild dish soap first to lift oils, then dry immediately with a lint-free microfiber cloth.
  • An ultrasonic cleaner is also safe for solid sterling silver pieces.
  • For real tarnish, use a liquid silver dip for 2-3 seconds, then immediately thoroughly rinse it off and dry on a soft cloth. Sterling can be restored again and again.
  • Don't over-polish with abrasives like polishing wheels, cloths, or creams — too much abrasion wears away the hand-planished facets that give each piece its detail.
  • Keep sterling out of pools, hot tubs, and chlorine, which speed up tarnishing.

General Tips

  • Put jewelry on after hairspray, perfume, and lotion, never before.
  • A quick wipe with a soft cloth after wearing removes oils and keeps the finish bright.
  • Store pieces separately in hanging organizers, pockets, or small bags so the etched surfaces don't scratch each other.
  • If a pin mechanism or earring post loosens, a jeweler can re-solder it inexpensively — the thick brass takes heat well.

Rights & Credits

This is an independent, non-commercial, fan-made reference created by and for collectors. It has no official association with Wild Bryde, its founders, or any successor, and is not endorsed by them. All images are drawn from public e-commerce listings (eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, Etsy, WorthPoint) and other resale and auction sites, used purely to document, identify and preserve a record of this vintage, now-discontinued line — not for sale. Design names were assigned by the page creator and do not necessarily reflect Wild Bryde’s internal naming. If you are a rights holder and would like an image removed or credited, that can be accommodated.