| Have you ever wondered how fine custom | | | | to dry. Next comes the oven. This next step is |
| jewelry was created? The process is really very | | | | critical- it takes a trained artisan to work the oven |
| simple. Most fine jewelry is created using a | | | | so that it heats to the proper temperature over |
| technique called the "lost wax" method. First a | | | | the proper sequence of hours. If this step is not |
| specific design has to be created. This usually | | | | done properly the piece may be badly damaged |
| requires a person who has a fair amount of ability | | | | or need a lot of repair. Assuming that all has gone |
| to render a drawing which looks like the finished | | | | well, once this step is completed the wax will |
| piece! Once the designer and client agree on the | | | | have drained out and the remaining plaster is now |
| design, the next step is for the item to be carved | | | | the mold into which your metal of choice (silver, |
| using a special wax (there are different wax | | | | gold or platinum) will be cast. After the metal is |
| products depending on the object desired). The | | | | cast, it is ready to be finished. This is a |
| designer and client should meet and approve the | | | | time-consuming process which requires the use of |
| wax- now is the time for any changes to be | | | | various tools like small files (much like nail files)and |
| made. At this time, any appropriate stones can be | | | | little polishing wheels. Then, any stones (diamonds, |
| placed to give the client an idea of what the | | | | rubies, sapphires etc) are added. It is always |
| finished piece will look like and to check for size, | | | | wonderful to see the pleased look on client's |
| fit etc. Next the wax model is set up in a metal | | | | faces at the end of this journey. You may view |
| cylinder so that a plaster-like material can be | | | | my wesite to see this proces illustrated. |
| poured over the entire piece. This is then set out | | | | |