When I Grow Up I Want To Be A Jeweller

One of the most common questions I get asked, other than “Where did you get your good looks from?” is “Have you always wanted to be a jeweller?”

The short answer is no. However how I did become a jeweller and how this happened was a bit by chance. 

Traditionally most jewellers in Hatton Garden, the jewellery centre of the UK, are in the business because it has been in the family for a few generations. The tradition of bringing your children into your business is something which happened quiet a lot years ago. Not so much anymore. As in most industries, things are getting harder and harder.

My son at work with me in the London Diamond Bourse:

I was 16 years old when I was first introduced to the back end of the jewellery industry. A friend of my parents was a manufacturing jeweller, and wanted to know if I was interested in helping out for a few weeks in the summer holidays. I was intrigued by the offer and accepted. I was fascinated by what I saw. The attention to detail and the intricate work involved was mesmerising for me. Working with some of the most precious gemstones and metals on earth was something I wanted to do. My mind was set. This was for me. 

After 2 weeks of what can only be described as a great summer job, I looked into starting a course in jewellery making, and found one which was starting that term at Sir John Cass School of Arts. It was an apprenticeship course and they assisted in finding me work placement too. I loved it. Learning everything I could. From soldering to sawing, filing to buffing, polishing to setting, casting to bending. All my friends were doing A level exams and then off for a gap year. Not me. This was it. 

I was fortunate for the college to find me a guy called Laurence who, with his father, ran a wholesale company making 18ct and platinum ring mounts, as well as bespoke pieces by hand. I spent a total of 9 years with Laurence, the person I owe a lot to for my career path, then decided to move on and go on my own. 

Some shots of procedures used in making jewellery in my workshop:

In the year 2000 I founded and started Joseph Sterling Bespoke Jewellers, and focused my business on creating bespoke pieces for private clients. The best way, and in my opinion the only way, to do this is to create a network of people who can, and will, happily refer clients to me. I joined BNI and have been a member ever since. 

In 1999 I took a gemmology course and passed. Learnt so much that all it did was fill me with a desire to learn more. Diamonds are one of those things I am fascinated by. The fact that something so small has such beauty and lustre to command such a high price is extraordinary.

I joined the London Diamond Bourse in 2007 and a few years later was invited onto the board, and to this day I proudly sit as a board member as part of an 11 person strong committee. The fact that I have a say in the future of the diamond industry and can make suggestions to improve and evolve with society excites me. 

If you do have any jewellery ideas you would like made bespoke, then please do call for a consultation in our central London office and we would be glad to try and help you. Our details are on the main page of the Joseph Sterling website.

Lewis Malka is a recognized expert in making diamond rings as well as being a famous jeweller to the stars. All his blogs are his own opinions. He is a member of the London Diamond Bourse (LDB). You can follow him daily on Facebook and Twitter. 
If you would like any bespoke jewellery made, then please visit his website.

Getting Engaged? Thinking Of A Christmas Proposal? Top 10 Most Creative Christmas Engagement Ideas

Alongside Valentines Day, Christmas is the most popular time of year to get engaged, it is also one of the most popular times of year to get married. 

Picture the scene, the decorations are all up, the family is all gathered, everyone is in a celebratory mood, BANG!! Good to go!!! Well that’s saved a few quid, and if you can use that towards her dream engagement ring, then all the better :)

So now the big question becomes “How” are you going to propose?  Here are my top ten Christmas proposal ideas which may help you decide on the “how”. Let me know your thoughts, or indeed let me know if I’ve missed any out :)

1. Hire an excellent pilot that can do writing in the sky. Take her to a favorite spot, sit back and relax while the plane fly’s in writing Merry Christmas, will you marry me. Too extravagant?
2. Stage a treasure hunt. Start by placing “clues” all around the room, or all around the house.  Each clue could lead to a bunch small “gifts” that symbolise fun things you’ve done together, or plan to do together. The final gift will be the ring box that is hidden safely in your pocket! As she follows the clue and pulls it out of your pocket, drop to one knee and say, “Will you marry me?”
3. See if you can convince your local radio DJ to get in on the proposal. Have them play her favorite song, and then the DJ could call her on the phone and say, so and so loves you and would love to marry you. All this can happen live on the radio.
4. The wishing well: Find a wishing well somewhere romantic and set up a romantic scenario. Make a nice sign, throw a coin down, reel up the sign just like in the picture. 
5. Surprise at work?? While she is at work, send her flowers with a card attached professing your love to her. An hour later send a Christmas package to her containing the ring, and be standing outside her door when she opens it, pop around the corner and ask her to marry you.
6. Dress up as Santa. When you make your grand entrance as Santa Claus, have a bag with “toys” inside. Instead of giving her toys or a candy cane, reach inside and pull out her engagement ring. Santa on bended knee will make great photos!
7. Take her to see her favorite sports game (or yours). During half time ask the announcer to call out her name telling her how much so and so loves you and would love you to become his wife. This will melt her heart on the spot. And get a good applause from the rest of the stadium.
8. Take a drive through her favorite part of the country. Stop at a beautiful overlook; tell her how you feel about her and what you want your lives to be like a few years from now. Then pop the question on her.
9. Wrap yourself up as a present. There are lots of fun ways you could do this. You could hide yourself inside a big box (with air holes) and then surprise the daylights out of her when she opens up the box! Or you could have fun with it and make it obvious that you’re a self-wrapped gift. Let her unwrap you, and when she gets most of the way through all the wrapping, surprise her with the ring.
10. Finally… Do it the day after Christmas… the reason I say that is because Christmas is already a special day, so you should do it on a day that can be special to the both of you as a couple. A day that doesn’t have anything else attached to it, like a holiday.

If you do have any jewellery ideas you would like made bespoke, then please do call for a consultation in our central London office and we would be glad to try and help you. Our details are on the main page of the Joseph Sterling website.

Lewis Malka is a recognized expert in making diamond rings as well as being a famous jeweller to the stars. All his blogs are his own opinions. He is a member of the London Diamond Bourse (LDB). You can follow him daily on Facebook and Twitter. 
If you would like any bespoke jewellery made, then please visit his website.

How to create a masterpiece of diamond jewellery

Roses aren’t the only beautiful objects which come in pink, gold and sapphires do too, and thats exactly what my latest creation is made using. Let me walk you through it.

(Here we see the components I made for this particular ring and of course the 2.50ct)

The brief was to re-make an engagement ring using the clients original diamond. In this case I am referring to the 2.50ct Asscher cut diamond. She, Helen, had seen a ring elsewhere and wanted me to make the same ring but with some slight alterations to fit her diamonds dimensions. Helen also wanted to use rose gold as she wanted her ring to be unique and different. When using a white diamond in the centre of a ring, I always recommend that the setting be made of a naturally white metal. The only metal conforming to this is platinum. Helen agreed. 

(The ring is now assembled and ready for the stones to be set)

Helen wanted some shoulder stones which would compliment both the diamond in the centre and also the rose gold the shank is made of. After browsing some of my designs on my website, we decided not to use traditional white diamonds pave on the shoulders, but instead pink sapphires. Helen was so excited by this, she instructed me to commence immediately. 

(The finished piece in all it’s glory. A diamond ring with pink sapphire shoulders)

The reaction from Helen when done was brilliant. I couldn’t have hoped for a better one. She loved it really loved it. She couldn’t have been happier. The photo doesn’t really do it justice to the colour of the shank, but I assure you, the pink in the metal with the pink of the stones is stunningly beautiful. Or should I say, a real masterpiece. 

If you do have any jewellery ideas you would like made bespoke, then please do call for a consultation in our central London office and we would be glad to try and help you. Our details are on the main page of the Joseph Sterling website.

Lewis Malka is a recognized expert in making diamond rings as well as being a famous jeweller to the stars. All his blogs are his own opinions. He is a member of the London Diamond Bourse (LDB). You can follow him daily on Facebook and Twitter. 
If you would like any bespoke jewellery made, then please visit his website.

How do I Sell My Diamond Ring And Other Diamond Jewellery

Most advertising campaigns by De Beers feature their famous slogan “A Diamond is Forever.” Consequently, women rarely sell a diamond and often feel uncomfortable buying diamonds previously owned by other women. There is a sentimental aspect to diamonds that is the very opposite from other tangible assets like boats, houses or cars. However, there are times when people need to sell their diamonds and, unlike the used car market, there is not a well-developed method for consumers to sell their diamonds.

As a consumer, you face some difficult challenges maybe not faced before when trying to get the best price for your diamond in a safe and comfortable manner. The starting point is to know exactly what you are selling. This is much easier if the diamond has a grading certificate from a major laboratory like the GIA, HRD or EGL. You have a better opportunity if there is a formal grading report. In the instance you don’t have one, you should find an independent evaluator who can determine the diamond and assess its quality and possible value.

Once you know your diamond’s specifications, you can find the up to date retail asking price by ascertaining with online retailers to see what similar diamonds are selling for in today’s retail market. It is unlikely you will be able to get the going retail price for your diamond. Selling your diamond at 80% to 90% of that amount would make it sell faster. Be realistic and honest about your expectations. The lowest cost online retailers, not the expensive jewellery shops with double the price, set the value of your diamond.

You now know your target price and simply have to decide how to find the correct buyer for your diamond. There are several possibilities available to sell your diamond and you need to decide which is best for maximising your money and safety while minimizing your time and effort.

Your first idea might be to travel to the nearest jewellery shop or pawnshop and sell them the diamond. The key to remember here is that they do not need your diamond. They can get all the diamonds they want at wholesale prices from their suppliers. The only reason they will buy your diamond is if the price is a fraction of the wholesale price. They hope you need the money desperately enough to take 25%-50% of what you could be getting for your diamond elsewhere. They might offer you a little more if you “upgrade” to something they have in their stock. However, this often results in you paying more for the new diamond and receiving less for your diamond than if you sold it elsewhere.

Several online brokers specialize in buying diamonds and estate jewellery from consumers. They typically have you ship the diamond to them so they can determine the amount they will pay you. Pretty much like the cash for gold scandal. All too often, this amount is much less than their preliminary estimate so you must either pay the return postage, or accept their price. If your main priority is getting money fast, this is a valid option. If your main priority is getting top dollar for your diamond, there are better selling methods available to you.

Auctions like eBay are very common for selling jewellery items but there is so much low quality jewellery listed, it is hard for potential buyer to find your quality diamond. You are competing with jewellery retailers whose entire business is selling on eBay so they are experts at writing the descriptions (often with exaggerated quality), taking impressive pictures and shipping their items. Even if a bidder does find your item, the odds of getting your target price are slim to nil because other retailers are advertising items with similar descriptions for about half the amount you want. Notice I did not say they are advertising similar quality, just similar descriptions. Do a search for diamond rings with GIA grading reports and you will see the vast majority of diamond rings have paperwork from sources you have never heard of before.

Other effective ways to find a buyer are classified ads in local newspapers and bulletin boards at church or work. The challenge is reaching enough people to find at least one buyer willing to pay your price. You have to be careful when doing this kind of transaction, especially if selling to a stranger. Do the transaction in a safe place and be sure you have a valid form of payment. You do not want to hand over your diamond and end up with a phoney cheque or counterfeit pound notes.

Some jewellery shops and online retailers will sell your diamond on consignment. Online retailers with a local presence have an advantage in that they have large numbers of diamond shoppers on their website plus walk in traffic that can see your diamond in person. They also have lower overhead and prices so you can get a bigger share of the selling price. With jewellery shops often marking up prices over 100%, your share is likely to be less than half of the selling price.

Be sure to get a written description of the item you are giving on consignment and the minimum amount you will accept for your diamond. All too often sellers are not being able to get their jewellery items back from a store or only receive a fraction of the amount they expected from the sale. However, if you have patience and a low priced, trustworthy retailer to broker your diamond, you have an excellent chance of getting an excellent price for your diamond without the hassle and safety issues of selling it yourself.

If you do have any diamonds or other jewellery to sell, then please do call us for a free consultation in our central London office and we would be glad to try and help you. Our details are on the main page of he Joseph Sterling website.

Lewis Malka is a recognized expert in making diamond rings as well as being a famous jeweller to the stars. All his blogs are his own opinions. He is a member of the London Diamond Bourse (LDB). You can follow him daily on Facebook and Twitter. 
If you would like any bespoke jewellery made, then please visit his website.

Using an old stone in a new ring.

It’s not all about big brash diamonds. Not everyone has the same taste. We are all different, and this is what makes my work so enjoyable! Everyone has a story. Everyone has a different idea. And everyone is unique. 

I was visited by clients who had a ruby that was handed down by her mother, and she wanted to include it in the design of her new engagement ring. Her idea was to have the ruby as the centre piece, and surround it with diamonds all of the same cut. Once this was finalised, the rest was plain sailing, ahem!!

Here we can see the framework for the stones. each of the small boxes are settings for the princess cut diamonds which will surround the ruby. 

Once the ring is set and polished, it has a totally different complexion. A consideration at the start was of course how to have her wedding ring. Does she have a straight one which would leave a big gap between rings on the shoulders? Do we go for a narrow curved ring to fit around the setting, but has a tendency to always rotate when you least want it to.

We decided to go for a wide ring with a section cut out for the engagement ring to snugly fit into. As you can se the result was perfection. This works beautifully for her as she has long slender fingers and the width of the ring compliments her hand. 

Would you like an heirloom reset? Why not give me a call and make an appointment? 

Lewis Malka is a recognized expert in making diamond rings as well as being a famous jeweller to the stars. All his blogs are his own opinions. He is a member of the London Diamond Bourse (LDB). You can follow him daily on Facebook and Twitter. 
If you would like any bespoke jewellery made, then please visit his website.

Diamonds Don’t Only Come In White!!

Diamonds are without question the most beautiful and precious things in the world. They don’t only come in white though!!

With the hype and talk surrounding gold and the high prices it has commanded over the last 4-6 weeks slacking off, clients have been returning to more day to day investments. I am of course referring to themselves and their loved ones. Creativity, something I pride myself on, is the order of the month. Diamond engagement rings are traditionally made with white diamonds, however if it’s the wow factor you are after, or indeed just want to be the talk of the town, then why not opt for a Black diamond engagement ring??

The photo above received a lot of interest on my Facebook page this week, and thank you for that. As you can see, this ring makes a huge statement, and so it should. It is set with a large 1.66 carat black diamond in the centre, and is flanked by 5 white diamonds on each shoulder to help enhance it’s beauty. The couple received so many comments on their Facebook page on how lovely the ring is and how they haven’t seen anything like this before, that it made their occasion that much more memorable. 

Lewis Malka is a recognized expert in making diamond rings as well as being a famous jeweller to the stars. All his blogs are his own opinions. He is a member of the London Diamond Bourse (LDB). You can follow him daily on Facebook and Twitter. 
If you would like any bespoke jewellery made, then please visit his website.

The remaking of a family heirloom diamond ring.

Time for a case study.

I thought it would be nice to see how a ring is remodelled, after a client ask for her grandmothers engagement ring to be re-made into a more classical and updated version, so she can wear it as her current engagement ring. 

In the first image we can see the original with the centre stone and one other already taken out. If you look closely you will notice there is no metal between each of the outside diamonds to hold them together, to keep them evenly spaced. 

This images shows a side angle of the original ring. If we look at the shank we can see it’s made from wire and doubled up at the back to give it a thicker feel. As a result of this, it makes the framework quite insecure and gives a higher chance of distortion and damage, should it take a whack!

Once all the diamonds are out and measurements have been taken, it’s time to make the new look ring. From a plate of 18ct gold sheet, the stones are marked, metal drilled, and a shape filed with wires added for the claws. On the shank, it’s thicker than previous and the wires are added to form the gallery of the ring. After the two pieces are made, all the wires are married up and soldered together. 

Excuse the slightly misty picture. In this shot we can see the ring made and assembled. All the wires matched up and have been soldered, joins were filed up and sandpapered, the ring has been pre-polished and ready to be set. 

And here’s the finished piece all polished up. A beautiful modern twist on a classical timeless piece ready to be handed down another generation or two, just as these diamonds were handed down two generations. After all, we never really own a diamond, we merely look after it for the next generation. And this proves it. 

Lewis Malka is a recognized expert in making diamond rings as well as being a famous jeweller to the stars. All his blogs are his own opinions. He is a member of the London Diamond Bourse (LDB). You can follow him daily on Facebook and Twitter. 
If you would like any bespoke jewellery made, then please visit his website.

www.joseph-sterling.com | lewis@Joseph-sterling.com

Top 10 Signs He Is About To Propose

How to crack the case on your boyfriend proposal plans!!  

You and your girlfriend have discussed the “M” word – marriage – and are ready to take the next step. So, what are you waiting for? The proposal, of course! With the most romantic day of the year – Valentine’s Day – approaching, women all over the country are anxiously awaiting the proposal of their dreams. In fact, according to proposal experts, approximately 24,000 proposals happen on Valentine’s Day each year. As you mentally plan your emotional acceptance and continue your regimen of weekly manicures, don’t forget to observe your boyfriend’s behaviour for definite clues that “the question” is coming.

Is He Sending Signals?
According to experts, women often witness unusual behaviour from their boyfriends just prior to marriage proposals. These people have researched more than 10,000 proposal stories and have spent years in the industry advising men on popping the question. Now, after reading this, I have compiled a list for you - from getting a new credit card to befriending with your dad — that may signal that your boyfriend is gearing up for the engagement:

So here are my top 10 signs he is about to propose. 
1. He’s cleaning his closet: If your boyfriend is finally tossing out that “private” box of mementos from former girlfriends, he is letting go of his past and is ready to focus on the future with you.

2. He’s sizing you up: Your favourite ring is missing and your best friend has been asking the size of your finger. Chances are your boyfriend is doing some investigating before visiting the jeweller.

3. He’s cutting costs: Dates have gone from gourmet dining to drive-through dinners — if your boyfriend is suddenly a miser; he may be saving up for the special day.

4. He goes for the gold: You spot your boyfriend flashing a shiny new gold card — many men open credit cards with higher spending limits to make the expensive ring purchase and snag some frequent flyer miles in the process.

5. He’s on the “We” channel: If his conversations no longer start with “My” but with “Our,” he is definitely ready to move out of singlesville.

6. He’s family oriented: Your boyfriend is enthusiastically organizing a get-together with both of your families. An anxious interest in “meeting the parents” is a true sign he’s ready for the next step.

7. He’s watching weddings: You attend a friend’s wedding and are shocked at your boyfriend’s commentary on the music, flowers and food. Even more surprising — he encourages you to catch the bouquet! 

8. He’s letting go of “The Bachelor” inside: He’s sold his scooter and cancelled his weekly poker games — a mature lifestyle change means marriage is sounding more meaningful to him than ever before.

9. He’s a man with a plan: Your socially laid-back guy suddenly insists on prior plans, and instead of waiting until Friday night to plan your weekend, he’s making arrangements Tuesday or earlier … he may have a certain social “engagement” that he doesn’t want you to miss. 

10. He’s your dad’s new golf partner: If a close connection has developed between your dad and your boyfriend it’s more than likely that they’ve had “the talk”. Good luck!!

Lewis Malka is a recognized expert in making diamond rings as well as being famous for being a jeweller to the stars. All his blogs are his own opinions. You can follow him daily on Facebook and Twitter. 
If you would like any bespoke jewellery made, then please visit his website.

www.joseph-sterling.com | lewis@Joseph-sterling.com

Engagement Ring Advice for Guys

Before we get started, can I be honest with you?

The best way to buy her an engagement ring she’ll love is to let her pick it out herself. She’ll wear this ring every day. It must feel good on her finger and it must suit her lifestyle. Sometimes it takes trying on many, many diamond shapes and setting styles to determine which ring is truly “best.”

But you still want to go it alone, don’t you? Maybe because you want to surprise her. Or because you don’t want her to be involved with pricing and payment issues. That’s fine! If you put some thought into it you can buy an engagement ring that she’ll love almost as much as she loves you.

Number 1: Pay Attention!
Paying attention to her jewellery likes and dislikes is the first big step towards finding her the perfect engagement ring:
What metal colour does she wear now? Most women have a definite preference.
If she loves white gold or platinum, don’t even look at a diamond or other stone mounted in a yellow gold ring setting. What style of jewellery does she wear now? Is it contemporary-looking, with bold styling? Does she prefer vintage looking rings? Or would you say that the jewellery she wears is classic, resembling those timeless pieces that never go out of style? What is the difference between white gold and platinum? 

The best indication of her tastes is the jewellery she wears all the time, not items she only wears occasionally, because it’s the full-timers that she’s most comfortable with.

Number 2: Has She Hinted at her Likes and Dislikes?
Has she ever mentioned her favourite jewellery styles or pointed out engagement rings when you’re shopping together? If not, take her shopping. It isn’t difficult to steer yourselves towards the jewellery shops. If you want to be subtle, say you’re looking for a new watch, but be sure to pause at the engagement ring counters.
Maybe she has a friend who recently became engaged. Does she like her friend’s engagement ring? Why or why not?
Does she like diamonds? Some women don’t. Sapphires and rubies are both durable gemstones that are often set into engagement rings for women who don’t like to wear diamonds.

Number 3: What Looks Best on Her Hands?
An elongated diamond, such as a marquise or oval, can make short fingers look more sleek but be careful not to overdo the look or it could have the opposite effect.
Wide bands usually make fingers appear even shorter than they are, so think proportional:
Women with long fingers can easily wear bold ring styles.
A setting that’s extremely delicate could get lost on large hands, over-emphasizing their size and making the ring look smaller.

Number 4: Choose the Right Shape & Setting
Round diamonds are the number one shape chosen by brides, but maybe not your bride. She might prefer an elongated marquise, oval or pear-shaped stone, or a square or emerald cut diamond. Fancier shapes, such as hearts, are another option.
Do you think she’d like a solitaire diamond, set alone in a band, or would she prefer a cluster of stones? Her current jewellery can give you clues about her preferences.

Number 5: Consider her Lifestyle
How will the ring fit in with her lifestyle? Does she work in a profession where fussy jewellery would look out of place? Even if she doesn’t, remember that a pointed gem with high prongs could snag clothing (and people) and is harder to keep clean. Save that type of ring for gifts that will be worn on special occasions, not every day.

Number 6: What’s her Ring Size?
Does she have rings that she wears on her engagement finger? Maybe a friend or family member could get hold of one of them long enough for you to have it sized. Of course, you’ll have to swear the messenger to secrecy.

Number 7: Consider a Loose Diamond
If you think you know which shape she loves, buy a loose diamond to show her when you ask the big question. The two of you can shop together later for the perfect engagement ring setting.

Now that you have a better feel for the style of ring she might prefer, it’s time to consider the diamonds that will go into it. Start with the Four C’s, and then take some time to browse our website for other designs and styles. 

Lewis Malka is a recognized expert in making diamond rings as well as being famous for being a jeweller to the stars. All his blogs are his own opinions. You can follow him daily on Facebook and Twitter. 
If you would like any bespoke jewellery made, then please visit his website.

www.joseph-sterling.com | lewis@Joseph-sterling.com

You’ve just got engaged! High Street or Bespoke ring?

Believe it or not, the hardest part of the engagement is proposing! Well for the groom it is. All the planning and preparation has gone according to plan, and if that didn’t include the ring, the fun is about to begin. Where should you start though? In my experience the bride-to-be has had her sights set on her dream ring since she was able to dream. The groom has just realised that he should have proposed with a ring and saved himself a potential headache.

So is the next stop the High Street or a Bespoke jeweller?

Well here would be my reasons for going to the High Street: 

1. You are in a rush and don’t have the time to wait for a bespoke piece.
2. You don’t want the added pressure of researching and running from one shop to another. 
3. You want to keep it simple and don’t want a fussy design. For you it’s about the diamond and not such an elaborate and  complicated design. 
4. You’re not sure what you want! By shopping around and trying on different rings, you get a better feel of what suit’s you best. 

And here are my reasons for choosing a Bespoke piece:

1. You want something individual and unique. It’s something you will wear for the rest of your life and you want it to mean something. 
2. You have something specific in mind, and you won’t be able to find it in any High Street shop. 
3. She knows what she want’s, and this is not the time to have your first marital argument. 
4. You want to make sure 100% that the metal and the diamonds are sourced from ethical mines. This is a great way to find that out for your specific ring. 
5. You may have been left an heirloom from a grandparent, and want to reuse the diamonds from that ring, or just have it re-sized.

So you have thought these things through, all that leaves is the cost. How does this differ? Well if you are on a tight budget, you should start by looking in the High Street. They have rings that start at a few hundred pounds. As a bespoke jeweller, I wouldn’t be able to match that, however the more you spend with me, the greater the saving made versus the price of the High Street. It’s a win win situation. 

Lewis Malka is a recognized expert in making diamond rings as well as being famous for being a jeweller to the stars. All his blogs are his own opinions. You can follow him daily on Facebook and Twitter. 
If you would like any bespoke jewellery made, then please visit his website.

www.joseph-sterling.com | lewis@Joseph-sterling.com