[Jewelry making - Article 00181] - Re: [Orchid] Technology & Design

[reba engel]

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    Hello Suzanne, Technology has given me the ability to cut engineered
    designs that accurately fit together with miniature nuts and bolts to
    pressure set a pearl or stone .  I have a contractor that water jet
    cuts stainless steel components from my original designs created in
    CAD.  Water jet cutting is high pressured water (55,000 psi) and a
    mixture of fine garnet abrasives that pass through cutting heads at
    speeds of up to 1000 feet per second. This technique is often used in
    cutting aeronautic engine components.  I work through the hand
    techniques first to achieve the design and proportions.  First I
    draft the original design from my hand drawing, then I cut and shape
    a prototype from metal.  Next I send the drawing to an expert that
    creates the CAD drawing for the final cutting in stainless steel
    sheet with the water jet process.  I use these steel components or I
    cast them in sterling silver or gold.  The stainless steel would be
    impossible to cut through by hand and the precise casted pieces are
    wonderful for this application. 

    My degree is in architectural design and not in the traditional
    techniques of jewelry making.  I never thought twice about using
    technology to achieve my needs.  I was more concerned that a large
    contractor would turn their nose at working with a small-time
    designer.  Ironically, I took a course with Arline Fisch my last
    semester at SDSU, and she is the one who directed me towards this
    technique. 

Cheers,  Reba


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