Congress Necklace
This necklace was based on the Brazilian National Congress building of Brasilia (Brazilian Capital), designed by Oscar Niemeyer.
It can be worn horizontal, vertical or with doubled chain.
To use it vertically or with a doubled chain, choose longer chain lengths.
Handmade sterling silver.
1.5" long (in the horizontal)
about 1/2" tall
Available in 2 finishes: matte brushed finish and dark oxidized finish; and in 16", 18" and 20" lengths.
Model wears it on a 20" chain.
**Please keep in mind that the 16" chain is usually too short to allow this necklace to be worn in the vertical.**
Shipping and Returns
We make an effort to keep some items in stock, and those items, ship within 3 business days. Most items however are made to order and may take up to two weeks to ship.
After the processing time for your order (that usually is about 2 weeks, unless otherwise stated or agreed upon), your order will be shipped using the carrier you chose at checkout. Shipping times depend on the option you choose at checkout.
USPS Domestic First class shipping usually takes 3 to 5 business days. Domestic USPS Priority Mail usually take 1-3 business days. Please keep in mind that USPS is experiencing delays due to the pandemic and neither First Class nor Priority Mail shipping have guaranteed delivery times.
I now offer shipping through UPS as well, and UPS does not seem to be experiencing delays. UPS ground has a guaranteed delivery of 1-5 days. The closer you are to AZ, the faster it will arrive (you can look up estimated delivery times on UPS using 85331 as the "ship from" zip code).
International shipping times will vary by country and will depend on customs processing times of each country.
Yes we do! Just choose the option that best suits your needs during checkout.
Get in contact with us. Most of the time we can accommodate your request for a small fee. Keep in mind that Christmas and other busy times of the year, rush production might not be available.
We believe that everyone deserves a gift, so we gift wrap every order. Wether you are treating yourself to a little jewelry or if you are giving it to someone, when that package comes and you see the box, it will feel like Christmas!
Personalized items, rings and earrings may not be returned or exchanged. All other items can be returned for any reason within 15 days of purchase for a refund or shop credit. Items purchased between November 10th and December 25th can be exchanged anytime until January 5th of the following year or within 30 days (whichever comes later). Contact us to arrange a return.
Materials and other Details
Most of our jewelry is made out of Argentium Sterling Silver. Argentium Silver is 92.5% pure silver just as regular Sterling Silver, but os made is made with a touch of germanium, which gives is a bright white color that is closer to fine silver than traditional sterling, and it's less likely to tarnish under most conditions. The Gold and Black Collection is made out of Oxidized sterling Silver and 14k gold. I offer the Skinny Stackable Cuffs in Argentium Sterling Silver and in Brass.
The pavé texture is created by striking the metal with a diamond, producing tiny and shinny cuts that give this ring the illusion of pavé set diamonds! An amazing and affordable way to bring more sparkle to your jewelry.
Bangle and Ring Sizing:
STEP 1: Using a string, strip of paper, or tape measure, measure around the wrist, pulling the tape snug against the skin. If you are using strip of paper, mark the paper with a pen, then measure the strip with a ruler. This is the circumference of your wrist.
STEP 2: Choose a cuff size shown below. If unsure or in-between sizes, we recommend sizing up.
Small for wrist size around 6"
Medium for wrist size around 7"
Large for wrist size around 8"
Cuffs are have a tighter fit around the wrist. The size does not depend on the size of your hand, only wrists. To put it on slide the opening over the smaller side of your wrist, and then turn it 90 ° so it faces the right way. Cuffs are slightly adjustable.
STEP 1: Bring your fingertips together (as if you were putting on a bangle).
STEP 2: Using a strip of paper, string, or tape measure, measure around the closed hand at the widest point, pulling the tape snug against the skin. If you are using a plain strip of paper, mark the paper with a pen, then measure the strip with a ruler. This is the circumference of your hand.
STEP 3: Choose a bangle size with a diameter at least 1/4" larger than the diameter shown below. If unsure or in-between sizes, we recommend sizing up.
Small for hand size up to 6.5"
Medium for hand size 6.5" to 7.5"
Large for hand size 7.5" to 8.5"
Keep in mind that some bangles have unusual shape and need to be put on in a certain way or they might not fit. The Teardrop Bangle need to be put on with the point of the teardrop facing the thumb. The Congress Bangle needs to be put on upside down. After those bangles are on the wrist/ arm, they can be turned to the desired position.
When purchasing a ring, please confirm your ring size prior to ordering, keeping in mind that wider bands will fit slightly tighter than thinner ones. We offer rings in US sizes 4 through 13, including half sizes. We make quarter sizes upon request as well. If you need a size in between the ones listed, just order the closest size to your size and make a note with your size at checkout. If you need a size smaller or larger that the ones listed, please send us an email to flavia@flaviabennett.com and we'll try our best to accommodate you.
If you do not know your ring size, you can purchase a ring sizer for $9, which includes a Gift Card for $9 that you can use when purchasing your ring.
For bracelets and necklaces, just contact us to start and exchange. Although rings are non returnable, we sometimes make exceptions for common sized rings. Contact us to find out if you can return yours. We can also make slight size changes to most rings.
Jewelry Care
Oxidized silver pieces have undergone a special surface treatment and they must be handled differently that regular silver. Never use any abrasive methods to clean these pieces, (including jewelry cloths!) as these will remove the surface treatment all together. The best way to care for these pieces is to rub them gently with a soft cloth (cotton jersey is great) lengthwise in one direction. If they remain dull or have residue on them you can first soak them in warm soapy water and gently go over the area with your fingers and then pat dry thoroughly (never rub). Over time with frequent wear, the surface treatment will wear and take on a patina which some people love, as it gives a unique character to each piece. However any piece can easily and affordably be brought back to its original look by re-doing the surface treatment process. If you are interested in having this process re-done feel free to contact us.
As the copper alloy present in Sterling Silver reacts with oxygen and moisture in the air, it forms the compound silver sulfide, commonly referred to as silver tarnish, an inevitable characteristic of Sterling Silver. It appears as a grayish/brownish discoloration on the surface of the metal; it can also make the metal appear dull, and is caused by the copper in the metal undergoing a process known as oxidation. Certain preventative measures however are very effective in reducing the appearance of tarnish or in slowing down the process altogether.
Sterling silver should be stored away from moisture and oxygen and excess contact with water should be avoided (remove before showering and swimming if possible). Moisturizers, perfumes, hair and body products will also hasten the tarnishing process so it is best to apply those before your jewelry. Skin chemistry can the also be the culprit in a piece that is tarnishing quickly, this can't really be avoided but is not generally harmful and does not indicate a problem with the metal. If silver is exposed to certain chemicals, i.e. cleaning products or pool chlorine, it may cause the entire surface to turn black and will require abrasive polishing to remove (usually by a professional). Always remove your silver pieces if you will come in contact with any such chemicals. Try as you might, sterling will tarnish, but don't worry; there are numerous methods to remove it quickly and easily. Here are some of my recommended solutions. Start by cleaning the piece first with some warm soapy water and drying with a soft cloth, followed by one of the methods outlined below.
This is generally the safest and easiest way to remove tarnish and can be used to polish almost any metal without harming delicate stones. The cloths actually contain a polishing compound within the fibers, so avoid getting them wet and they should never be washed (washing them would remove the polishing compound). They will eventually turn dark but will continue to work despite this. Depending upon the frequency of use they can last for several years. Do not use on pavé textured pieces as they grab onto the fibers, nor on dark oxidized patina pieces as it will remove the surface treatment.
These solutions are fantastic when used to clean chains and other more intricate pieces that can be difficult to polish with a cloth (i.e., pieces with hard to reach places, pavé texture, etc.). Exercise caution when using the liquid on a piece with stones! Transparent faceted stones are generally safe, but never use with organic or porous materials such as amber, coral, turquoise or pearls. I recommend avoiding contact with any stones all together (unless it is a diamond) and just using the solution on the metal surfaces (a small toothbrush can come in handy for this). Never leave any piece submerged for longer than a minute (it should only take a few seconds to remove tarnish), as it can cause the metal to discolor and require professional cleaning. Do not use cleaning solutions on dark oxidized patina pieces as it will remove the surface treatment. Certain silver cleaning solutions do not work very well on brass. It might sound crazy, but my favorite method to clean brass oxidation is to rub it with toothpaste and then rinse off. In a pinch, this method also work with silver, but not as good or as quickly as the cleaning solution.
A general note, always check to make sure that the method you use is appropriate for jewelry and for the specific metal you are cleaning (i.e. polish for silverware will remove tarnish from your jewelry, but that doesn't mean it is the best way).