Basic Steps in Making Jewelry

Either gold or silver, same method are the following:

A. Melting and Sheet Casting

   1. This method is important and is held at a particular temperature. Gold and Silver are placed in a clay pot and a blowtorch is used to melt. Gold and Silver is hardened using the same container. The appropriate temperature for melting Silver or Gold is:

        a. Fine Silver = 1761�F

        b. Sterling Silver = 1640�F

        c. 18 K White Gold = 1945�F

        d. 18 K Yellow Gold = 1700�F

        e. 14 K White Gold = 1825�F

        f. 14 K Yellow Gold = 1615�F

2.     After the melting process, the substance is poured in a sheet mold so it can be shaped into a small bar.

3.     The small bar is ordinarily coated with a tin oxide film. In addition, the bar is soaked into a sulfuric acid solution and water to remove the oxide from its surface. It is needed so that the metal during the soldering process can easily be welded. To obtain the desired thinness, the Gold and Silver passes through  a rolling press repeatedly.

B. Sawing and Cutting

        The jeweler's saw is a special equipment cutting a metal. Wiring is a method wherein Gold or Silver is heated and stretched into shape of a wire. The wire and the roller press are two significant tools used in shaping Gold and Silver wires. Metal can also shaped the method, placed in a centrifugal machine, a process used to increase production of jewelry.

C. Soldering and Assembly

        Parts of the jewelry are combined to have the complete design.

D. Filing and Forming

        This process the edges and corners are completed for the jewelry.

E. Stone Setting

        It involves insertion of precious stones considering contrast.

F. Polishing and Plating

        This is done for enhancement of the appearance of the jewelry. It let produce a protective layer that is a corrosion resistant, otherwise called electroplating for durability.