r/jewelrymaking

Hi all! I recently thrifted this string of pearls + set of pearl earrings which I would like to make into nicer jewelry. ((No, the pearls are not high-value. They are farmed freshwater, likely Chinese, the clasp is not any precious metal/has no makers mark))

For info: The necklace has 58 pearls. I want to seperate it into a chocker & bracelet set. The earrings have (to the best I can tell) 6 white, 1 peacock green, & 3 black pearls between them. I really don't have an idea for. I just don't think I want something so long?

I was recommended adding onyx to it as a center stone and using a separation bead 5 pearls out from the center for the chocker/bracelet set. I can see it, but idk if that's my style. I typically wear silver & go for dainty, short jewerly. I know these pearls are larger, but I don't want a chunky style. I also think I would prefer the pearls be the center of attention instead of the accent.

If anyone has amy ideas or styles I should look into for inspiration, I would greatly appreciate it! Tyia 🩷

Love when a customer want cool designs

I'd like to make my partner's engagement ring. It's something I've wanted to do for years, and hopefully you only get one chance, right?

I'm an engineer with a lot of tools, including a good workshop, dremel, microscope and a lot of experience making & designing things. But admittedly, no jewellery experience...

As much as I'd like to do the whole process myself, I think I'm going to take advantage of an online 3D printing and investment casting service, then finish the ring myself.

Maybe set the stone myself as well, but we'll have to see. Much advice needed here!

I've designed a prototype in CAD that I'd like to get some feedback on. Both the design, but also what allowances/tolerances I should design in for the casting?

Casting wise:

Any advice on the following would be much appreciated: minimum feature size, expected shrinkage, sprues, and design limits for what is possible with 3D-printed wax/resin casting. How oversized should I design the elements to allow for polishing losses?

I think I'll go for yellow 18k gold.

Does anybody know a good UK casting service that will print the pattern for me as well?

Design wise:

My partner doesn't like things too flashy, and I think she'll like what I've come up with, but maybe I'm missing things. Once I lock in a design, I might swap the circular prongs for D-shapes, or the front and back leaves for something flatter. The current stone is a 1 ct oval diamond.

Eventually, I think I might add a very small Euro shank to the base to help prevent it from spinning.

The prongs are very much a draft at the moment as I'm not sure where best to place them, 45 degrees or 55? Tulip tip ending OK or should the prong only be a longer single point right at the end?

There are some very tight spaces in the basket area, what is the best way to polish them after casting?

Is my split spiral design a crazy choice, or workable?

Usually I have no (minimal at least) issues rolling out ingots, even when they are half dirty scrap. After alloying I realized I skipped the sulfuric acid step in my gold refine. Alloy is 15k gold, with roughly 60/40 Cu to Ag for the rest. Very brittle. Annealing doesn’t really help to soften. Peened after pouring, did everything as usual. Has anyone had experience with lead contamination that showed itself like this? The alloy doesn’t feel ‘soft’ more weird brittle hardness. Maybe steel contam?? Is it possible I super heated/oxygenated the original alloy? but again, has not usually been an issue for me. I remelted it multiple times, finally with the addition of 1.3% zinc. Seemed to improve slightly but working it out still isn’t acceptable. Picture is of the end, cut 3-4 mm back, more of an internal flaw that surface issue. Looks like it released copper when annealed, which has me leaning toward I made some weird transition alloys/porosity on the first over oxygenated melt. I have known .9999 gold and .9999 silver along with copper, so will try a fresh alloy but would like to figure where I went wrong. Thank you 🙏

TLDR: Somewhat experienced, but no answer for this one, is this what lead or iron contamination can look like? Thanks

Sharing a small batch of handmade signet rings straight from the workbench. ​

Metals & Finish: Solid brass with hand-applied satin/brushed finish.

Stones: Natural Black Onyx, Lapis Lazuli, and Turquoise cabochons.

Weight Range: 16.2g to 65g (solid, weighty feel on the finger).

#jewelrymaking #benchjeweler #silversmith #metalsmith #signetring #handmadejewelry #prototyping

Black Onyx (Brass): 16.68g & 27.15g (Solid brass prototypes).

Turquoise Fluted Ring (Brass prototype): 22.21g

Lapis Lazuli (M-Seal Masters): 16.28g & 24.44g on bench (Projected to hit 45g – 65g once cast in solid 925 silver)

Hi, everyone!

I'd like to wrap leather or something with the same flexibility so I can wear it but not sure how to do it so it won't be too chunky or flip around. I don't want to wire wrap it because that's not the look I want.

After I get it situated as a focal, I will make a beaded necklace. I'm hoping to avoid using glue but we can't always have everything. Does anyone have advice? Thank you.