[Jewelry making - Article 00256] - Re: [Orchid] Beaded wire

[Trevor F]

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>     I am very interested in using gold beaded wire in my work. ... Does
>     anyone have any idea how it was made in ancient times? 

Hello Stephen,

    There are two good sources for information on how it was done, or
    might have been done, by the ancients. The first is Jack Ogden's
    "Jewellery Of The Ancient World" (Rizzoli, 1982). On page 53 there are
    a couple of small diagrams showing how single and double edged
    "forming" blades were used to make beaded wire. This is an
    exceptionally good book for information on the work and methods of
    ancient jewellers. It's long out of print and it can be a bear to
    find a copy at a decent price but it's well worth the effort if this
    is a subject of interest to you. 

<edit>

    Jewelry of The Ancient World
    By Jack Ogden
    http://www.ganoksin.com/jewelry-books/us/product/0847804445.htm 

</edit>

    The other reference is of course Oppi Untracht's "Jewelry Concepts
    and Technology". On page 169 there is a detailed diagram of dies used
    to "swage shape" beaded wire. I've attempted to make such a die.
    Although my results were pretty crude it was sufficient to prove to
    me that the technique could produce good results if the dies were
    carefully cut and finished. FWIW I learned that a milling machine
    would be invaluable in making these dies since dead flat surfaces and
    careful alignment of the die parts is critical to producing
    acceptable results. 

<edit>

    Jewelry Concepts & Technology
    By Oppi Untracht
    http://www.ganoksin.com/jewelry-books/us/product/0385041853.htm 

</edit>

Cheers,
Trevor F.

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