Frequently Asked Questions

Products & Materials

Are the chips and silicon wafers in the products real?

Yes. Every piece of jewelry and art features authentic integrated circuit (IC) chips, semiconductor packaging, or silicon wafers. These materials are upcycled and recycled from the technology industry to create one-of-a-kind tech art.

How pure is the gold found in your Jewelry ?

The gold is 99.9% pure or better (often referred to as 24-karat equivalent).

What company manufactured the ceramics for the jewelry?

Kyocera Corporation of Japan  is the undisputed world leader in technical ceramics. Most of the vintage and modern ceramic chips you see in tech art were likely manufactured by Kyocera. They pioneered the "Multilayer Ceramic" technology used in almost all modern high-end electronics. Kyocera was originally founded as the Kyoto Ceramic Company, Limited (Kyōto Seramikku Kabushiki-gaisha) on April 1, 1959.

Where do you get the IC chips used in your jewelry and displays?

We cut every IC chip from real production silicon wafers using a diamond dicing saw at our facility in Silicon Valley.

Where do you get your wafers from?

We sourced our 2 and 3 inch wafers from a Silicon Valley company that wanted to recycle unused wafers. 4, 5, 6, 8 and 12 inch wafers come from local companies that specialize in recycling and reusing semiconductor wafers.

What is the age range of your wafers?

Our oldest wafers date back to the 1960s in 2 and 3 inch sizes.
Our newer 4, 5, 6, 8 and 12 inch wafers come from current production.

What sizes of silicon wafers are available?

Our collection includes a range of silicon wafer sizes, from 50mm (2 inch) to the industry-standard 300mm (12-inch) wafers. We also offer "Evolution" displays that showcase the progression of wafer technology over time.

Do you know which company made the wafers?

We do not know the exact origin of each wafer because we source them through recyclers. Many wafers come from large manufacturers such as TSMC, Samsung Foundry, UMC, and GlobalFoundries.

Where does your pure silicon come from?

We source our pure silicon directly from a manufacturer in Silicon Valley. The silicon in the bottle is crushed material from a silicon ingot.

What is a silicon ingot:

A silicon ingot is a massive, single-crystal cylinder of ultra-pure silicon that serves as the raw material for nearly all semiconductor chips.

Do you also offer silicon tops and tails?

Yes, we offer silicon tops and tails. Contact us if you are interested.

Where are these items produced?

Every item is handcrafted in Silicon Valley, California. We take pride in sourcing and assembling our tech-themed art and jewelry in the heart of the global semiconductor industry.

What is a photomask, and why is it unique?

A photomask is a high-precision glass plate used in photolithography to "print" circuit patterns onto silicon wafers. We offer authentic photomasks used in IC production as rare, collectible desk or wall art.

Custom & Personalized Orders 

Do you offer customized gifts for events and trade shows?

Yes, we offer customized products with company logos and slogans.
Options include key chains, lapel pins, NFC tags, refrigerator magnets, bookmarks and fully custom designs.

Do you offer corporate gifts?

Yes. We specialize in tech-focused corporate gifts, ranging from framed wafer displays to unique desk accessories. These are ideal for company milestones, executive gifts, or semiconductor industry events. Please contact us directly for inquiries regarding bulk orders or custom corporate packages.

Do you work with educational institutions?

Yes, we offer customized programs for universities and schools to supply unique educational items at discounted pricing.

Do you do custom engraving of wafer frames?

Yes, we engrave the backing that holds the wafer. We use a laser, not printing. You choose any text or graphics for your order. Contact us for details. 

Shipping & Orders

Where do you ship?

We ship to customers across the United States and to a wide variety of international destinations globally. We have shipped to 29 countries.

How much does shipping cost?

Shipping is free for all orders delivered within the U.S.A. For international orders, shipping rates are calculated at checkout based on the destination and weight of the package.

Can I find your products elsewhere?

In addition to this store, a curated selection of our products is available through our Etsy shop and at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View California.

Care & Maintenance

How should I care for my silicon jewelry?

To maintain the appearance of the IC components and settings, avoid exposing jewelry to harsh chemicals, perfumes, or prolonged submersion in water. Clean gently with a soft, lint-free cloth.

What kind of frames are used for the wall art?

Our wafers are professionally framed to ensure they are protected and displayed elegantly. We prioritize high-quality materials, such as real or tempered glass, to maintain the clarity of the wafer's iridescent patterns.

Sustainability

What does "upcycled" mean in the context of your products?

The semiconductor manufacturing process creates materials that are often discarded despite their intricate beauty. We rescue these components—such as lead frames, IC packages, and wafers—and give them a new life as jewelry and art, reducing waste in the tech industry.