One of the most beautiful crafts around, the art of making jewelry is something that has been evolving throughout the years and through history. We have been given amazing pieces to this day, not to speak of the amount of time and work invested in them.
This is an extremely detailed work and people don’t usually think about how impressive it is that a lot of these crafts are made all by hand, by talented artisans. Through time, the processes have been changing, techniques updated and materials improved, but the only thing that didn’t change was the beauty and authenticity of each piece.
If you ever thought about how such stunning pieces come to life and wondered how the process of jewelry making goes – from picking a piece of wax and turn it into a masterpiece – then this article is here to guide you through the whole process. Let’s start!
It All Starts With Molding
When it comes to molding, there are a few different options of materials available. The most common and famous one is wax, from the “lost wax” technique, where the artist takes a block of wax and sculpts it, all by hand, creating the first mold of the piece. However, there are other materials that can be used, like resin, silicone, or even natural rubber.
The most common method is doing it by hand, especially on more unique pieces, but with the technological evolution, it’s now possible to print the mold on a 3D printer, as this will make it quicker, even though we’re still talking about a long process. This mold is where all the pieces’ details will be made and it will serve as the base for the desired final product.
Time to Cast
After the mold is made, it’s now time to dip it into the plaster. The plaster will allow you to create a thicker surface, which will act as a strong base, before using something to replace the wax. Then it’s time to cast it in high temperatures, to solidify the plaster and melt the wax inside, however, it needs to have a small hole, so it can be filled after the wax melts. This will allow some finishing touches in specific areas that might have been missed in the wax form. After it cools down, the plaster coating will break, revealing the metal jewel inside. The basic process is completed, and this is the first draft of the final piece, meaning the only thing missing is the small details.
From Stone to Diamond
The main piece is finished, and now it’s time to turn it into something incredibly beautiful. Either it’s a ring, necklace or bracelet, they all go through the same process, even though the metal used in the cast can be changed according to personal preference. It takes time to perfect a piece and the finishing can be polished, matted, or even brushed.
For a simple piece, this would be the last step, however, for those with gemstones, it takes a longer process. Applying stones to a jewelry piece it’s extremely difficult and requires experience and skill. Plus, it’s a microscopic job, which demands time, patience, and a very steady hand. It’s also important to know the right sizes of the stone, as well as realizing that many of them will need some retouching before being inserted in the jewel.
The final step of this amazing process is the plating! Once the piece is made with all its details and stones placed, there are several materials that can be used to top it off, such as copper, gold, and silver. Now, the precious jewel is made, and it’s ready to be checked one last time before going to its new owner.
A Long Shiny Process
A jewel piece is usually a synonym of something special, something with meaning. Since ancient times, we’ve seen a lot of special moments being celebrated with jewelry involved. When asking someone to marry, there are engagement rings, when celebrating a union, there are wedding rings, and even when commemorating important moments in life, a lot of people order unique pieces of jewelry to mark it.
Everyone loves a good piece, and there’s a reason they say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but it’s not only that, to make something so beautiful coming to life it takes a lot of work, it requires a lot of skill, a lot of patience, talent, and dedication, but maybe that’s what makes them so special, and knowing the complete process turns them even more amazing. Hope this answered your curiosity about jewelry making and led you through something gorgeous. I appreciate the time taken and I will see you next time!