Fabrication


Add chain maille techniques to your jewelry making repertoire. Our videos will show you how to weave wires, link chains, and start various projects.

Gerry Lewy Video F – Bead Setting

Gerry Lewy Video F – Bead Setting

Gerry Lewy draws on his over 40 years of diamond setting experience to show you the technique of bead setting...
Read More
Gerry Lewy Video E – Princess Setting Round Claws – V Shaped Claws – Wedding band

Gerry Lewy Video E – Princess Setting Round Claws – V Shaped Claws – Wedding band

Gerry Lewy draws on his over 40 years of diamond setting experience to show you how to set a diamond...
Read More
Fishtail Setting Tutorial

Fishtail Setting Tutorial

Master diamond setter Gerry Lewy shows dying art of making a fish tail setting. Made completely by hand, this is...
Read More
Gerry Lewy Video B – Setting a Solitaire – 4 Prong – 6 Prong

Gerry Lewy Video B – Setting a Solitaire – 4 Prong – 6 Prong

Drawing on 40+ years of experience, Gerry Lewy shows you how to set a diamond in 4-prong and 6-prong solitaire...
Read More
Gerry Lewy Video C – Bezel Setting – Channel Setting

Gerry Lewy Video C – Bezel Setting – Channel Setting

Gerry Lewy draws on his over 40 years of diamond setting experience to show you how to set a diamond...
Read More
Hollow Ring Project

Hollow Ring Project

One of metal's unique qualities is its ability to be shaped and formed without breaking - its malleability. The hollow...
Read More
Jeweler’s Torches Explained: What Kind Do You Need?

Jeweler’s Torches Explained: What Kind Do You Need?

With so many torches on the market, a first-time buyer can be quickly overwhelmed by the sheer number of decisions...
Read More
Gerry Lewy Video A – Intro – Tool Modification – Skills

Gerry Lewy Video A – Intro – Tool Modification – Skills

Gerry Lewy draws on his over 40 years of diamond setting experience to show you how to modify simple, everyday,...
Read More
Gerry Lewy Video D – Cluster Setting – Flush Setting

Gerry Lewy Video D – Cluster Setting – Flush Setting

Gerry Lewy draws on his over 40 years of diamond setting experience to show you how to set gems in...
Read More
How to Repair a Hollow Rope Chain

How to Repair a Hollow Rope Chain

I took in a broken hollow rope chain bracelet for repair this week. The bracelet had caught on a desk...
Read More
How to Make Your Own Locket

How to Make Your Own Locket

Before photography, lockets were decorated with miniature, handpainted portraits -- a luxury few could afford. The advent of affordable photographic...
Read More

The Best Flux For Soldering Jewelry: How To Choose The Right One For Your Project

Technical Briefs deals with technical concerns of interest to a wide audience, addressing topics as diverse as vanguard technology and...
Read More
How to Create a Basic Link Chain

How to Create a Basic Link Chain

Making a simple or basic link chain to display your pendant designs is a great way to add further value...
Read More
Carat Gold Solders for Jewellery Making

Carat Gold Solders for Jewellery Making

In many countries, regulations govern the caratage of gold solders used to make jewellery and, with few exceptions, gold solder...
Read More
Protecting Gems While Soldering

Protecting Gems While Soldering

Repair jewelers are frequently called upon to solder close in to a set gemstone. Besides the normal dangers of heating...
Read More

Dealing with Fire Scale

Fire scale or fire stain is a reddish purple toned 'bloom' or 'stain' that appears on silver/copper alloys such as...
Read More
950 Palladium: Custom Made Components

950 Palladium: Custom Made Components

When making custom jewelry with any alloy, certain components within the piece are often hand made to enhance the final...
Read More
Basic Spiral Braiding

Basic Spiral Braiding

[Step by Step] This five-strand spiral braid is made using one of the many textile techniques that Professor Arline Fisch...
Read More
Box Clasp Fabrication

Box Clasp Fabrication

One of the most important types of closures used in jewelry is the box clasp. This clasp and its many...
Read More
Curb and Cable Chains Project

Curb and Cable Chains Project

There are hundreds of different types of chains, each with its own system of assembly. Most chains are assembled from...
Read More
A Replica of the Sutton Hoo Sword

A Replica of the Sutton Hoo Sword

Considered to be one of the richest and most important archaeological finds in Great Britain, the Ship Burial known as...
Read More
How to Make a Three-Part Silver Ring

How to Make a Three-Part Silver Ring

Using a relatively inexpensive metal and casting it in an ingot mold, you can create a sophisticated design at the...
Read More
Introduction to Basic Concrete Jewelry

Introduction to Basic Concrete Jewelry

Concrete is a wonderful, hard, neutral, unprecious material with a real presence. And it can be successfully adapted to jewellery....
Read More
Forged Leaf Brooch Tutorial

Forged Leaf Brooch Tutorial

Use basic metalsmithing skills to create a brooch inspired by forms found in nature. Since the earliest civilizations, the leaf...
Read More

Understanding the Working Titanium

Because titanium behaves somewhat differently than the standard metals in the goldsmith's workshop some special attention to its working is...
Read More
How To Make Leaves from Metal

How To Make Leaves from Metal

A short while back I prepared this short photo tutorial showing how I make leaves from metal. I have use...
Read More
The Practical Hydraulic Press

The Practical Hydraulic Press

How do you solve the problem of producing a limited edition of hand wrought, hollow forms in a reasonable amount...
Read More
Soldering Hints and Tricks

Soldering Hints and Tricks

Medical hemostats and forceps make good clips for wire solder. Soldering clips for soldering work may be made from cotter...
Read More
Chain and Bracelet Catches 2

Chain and Bracelet Catches 2

Box catches lend themselves to a wide range of shapes and are frequently used on chains, bracelets and cuff bracelets....
Read More
Textile Techniques in Jewelry Making

Textile Techniques in Jewelry Making

Fabrics and precious metals would seem to be total opposites, like hot and cold or yin and yang. However, despite...
Read More
Working With Niobium

Working With Niobium

Niobium has many properties that make it an excellent candidate for fabricated parts. Of particular interest to jewelry manufacturers and...
Read More
The Different Kinds of Line-Folds

The Different Kinds of Line-Folds

Line-folds offer a large area of exploration. In addition to the use of line-folds by themselves, it is valuable to...
Read More
Introduction to Weaving Metal

Introduction to Weaving Metal

Textile techniques are traditionally worked with fibers such as linen, cotton and silk. However, they can also be applied to...
Read More
Tips on How to Master Soldering

Tips on How to Master Soldering

Soldering is probably the most commonly used and least understood operation performed in the jewelry industry. Most jewelers know how...
Read More
Metal Rolling and Drawing

Metal Rolling and Drawing

Rolling can be thought of as a local, or isolated, deformation process during which thickness is decreased, length increased, and...
Read More
Laser Welding Basics – Part 1

Laser Welding Basics – Part 1

This article will run over multiple issues of Bench Magazine. I plan to start with the basics of welding and...
Read More
Hydraulic Die Forming for the Artist/Metalsmith

Hydraulic Die Forming for the Artist/Metalsmith

Hydraulic die forming is a process which hasn't received a lot of press. Perhaps its usefulness seems limited to mass...
Read More
950 Palladium Bench Guide

950 Palladium Bench Guide

The palladium bench guide reviews the working characteristics of palladium for the jewelry bench staff and provides an overview of...
Read More
How to Make Hoop Earrings

How to Make Hoop Earrings

Tom Dougherty of Studio 2015 in Woodstock, Illinois, had an interesting process to share about making hoop earrings from tubing....
Read More

Platinum Durability vs Scratching

There is a major difference between durability and scratch resistance. Platinum is very durable. When scratched, the scratch actually displaces...
Read More
The Plique a Jour Technique with Torch

The Plique a Jour Technique with Torch

Plique-a-jour, in French, means "applied to carved spaces" or "membrane where daylight passes through". The 'plique-a-jour' enameled jewelry is endowed...
Read More
How to Make Earring Posts by Hand

How to Make Earring Posts by Hand

Yes you can make your own earring posts. It is generally more cost effective to buy them, but making them...
Read More
Making a Filigree Wire

Making a Filigree Wire

One of the necessary steps in making filigree is the forming of the wire. It is made by twisting very...
Read More
Set Up Your Torch

Set Up Your Torch

OK. You have just brought home your first acetylene tank and are ready to attach your new acetylene/air torch. This...
Read More
Cracks in Jewelry Manufacturing

Cracks in Jewelry Manufacturing

As many jewelry manufacturers and goldsmiths know from hard experience, cracking in jewelry can occur at any time during its...
Read More
Making Your Own Tubing

Making Your Own Tubing

Not all sizes and wall thicknesses of tube come seamless from a factory or refiner. Especially when working in gold...
Read More
Basic Bead Setting Techniques

Basic Bead Setting Techniques

First the stone's diameter is measured at the pavillion and a dent is made in the metal for the pilot...
Read More

Platinum Jewelry Advanced Joining Techniques

Joining is a very important production technique in the field of jewelry production. Therefore it is useful to know, what...
Read More
Damascus and Pattern Welding

Damascus and Pattern Welding

True damascus steel is made by a casting process utilizing very high carbon steel. The material is held at or...
Read More
How to make Coin Rings a secret revealed

How to make Coin Rings a secret revealed

Method to speed up production on coin ring manufacturing. All supplies and coin ring tools available at www.Coinringtools.com
Read More
All About Hidden Hinges

All About Hidden Hinges

Hidden hinges are sometimes used on bracelets and jewelry pieces. I saw one on a Vietnamese bracelet once and have...
Read More
Manufacturing Mokume Gane Jewelry

Manufacturing Mokume Gane Jewelry

Mokume gane translated from Japanese means "wood eye metal." This rare metal lamination process was developed and used by Japanese...
Read More
International Ring Sizes Chart

International Ring Sizes Chart

This page provides an international ring sizes chart you can view and/or download to be your guide in making or...
Read More
Basic Hinge Making Technique

Basic Hinge Making Technique

It is important to pick tubing with an appropriate wall thickness and material strength for the requirements of the piece....
Read More
Chain and Bracelet Catches 1

Chain and Bracelet Catches 1

The first requirement of all catches is that they secure neckpieces and bracelets in such a way that they will...
Read More
Scoring and Bending Procedures

Scoring and Bending Procedures

Silicon carbide separating discs are superb for scoring metal for bending, particularly when the metal sheet is less than 4...
Read More
Tips and Tricks for Scoring Metal

Tips and Tricks for Scoring Metal

Scoring metal is incredibly important for custom jewelry construction. It enables you to reduce the number of parts in a...
Read More
20 Laser Welding Tips

20 Laser Welding Tips

This article offers some laser welding tips that might make your life as a laser welder a bit easier. Read...
Read More

Goldsmithing: Pitch Options

Pitch is used all over the world by goldsmiths and silversmiths to hold metal in place while working it with...
Read More
Welding Aluminum for Successful Anodizing

Welding Aluminum for Successful Anodizing

This article includes descriptions of dangerous activities. These descriptions are not to be deemed instruction, any inference to the contrary...
Read More
Wire Drawing Hints

Wire Drawing Hints

The trick to drawing wire by hand is to grasp the tapered end that sticks out the front of the...
Read More
Hinge Pin Installation Options

Hinge Pin Installation Options

It is, however, usually best to bevel the openings of a tube slightly to give the rivet a better purchase...
Read More

Solder Flow Retardant Notes

While goldsmiths normally strive to have their solder flow easily, there are times you don't want it to flow, such...
Read More

Laser Welding Replacing Soldering

When first starting to work with the laser welders, operators should experiment with five or six different alloys commonly used....
Read More
Fearless Platinum Repairs

Fearless Platinum Repairs

What does it take to be successful at repairing, customizing, and servicing platinum jewelry? First, an understanding of properties unique...
Read More
Methods to Effectively Bend Tubing

Methods to Effectively Bend Tubing

Jewelers need to bend tubing for various constructions, including neckpieces, earrings, catches, and cuff links. Normally, precious metal tubes are...
Read More
Debunking a Soldering Myth 1

Debunking a Soldering Myth 1

After 25 years as a jeweler, first as a student, an apprentice, an instructor, and now a master instructor and...
Read More
Basic Sawing Techniques

Basic Sawing Techniques

In this article, we will continue our Back to Basics Series with an article on Sawing techniques.
Read More
Cutting Jump Rings

Cutting Jump Rings

Once you've wound jump rings around a mandrel, what's the best way to cut them apart? Some craftspeople use hand-held...
Read More
Laser Welding Basics – Part 4

Laser Welding Basics – Part 4

I want to take what I have written in my previous articles 
and start tying it into jewelry welding applications....
Read More

Fine Silver Granulation – Part 1

Granulation is the process of fusing tiny metal spheres of silver or gold, in a decorative pattern, to a surface...
Read More
Step-by-Step Guide to Upsizing Rings

Step-by-Step Guide to Upsizing Rings

When I ran a trade shop, time was money, and I often found myself sizing 50 to 60 rings in...
Read More
Cold Connections for Hinged Tabs

Cold Connections for Hinged Tabs

Cold connections are great alternatives to soldering, especially if you want to use fragile or flammable materials in your jewelry...
Read More
Making a Bezel

Making a Bezel

Making a bezel for many stones such as an antique cushion garnet can be difficult when the mandrels on hand...
Read More
Combining Yellow Gold and Palladium

Combining Yellow Gold and Palladium

Jewelry designers are discovering that the bright, white color of palladium creates a beautifully distinct contrast to the warm rich...
Read More
De-oxidized Sterling Silver Alloys

De-oxidized Sterling Silver Alloys

Sterling silver alloys typically contain about 7.5 percent copper, an addition that not only provides strength to the otherwise pure...
Read More
Pulse-Arc-Welder: Creating Jewelry

Pulse-Arc-Welder: Creating Jewelry

For this project, the No. 1 tip was used with the ABI Pulse Arc Welder. Five tips come with the...
Read More
Reticulation of Shakudo and Shibuichi

Reticulation of Shakudo and Shibuichi

For a number of years I have been exploring the use of the Japanese alloy shakudo in ways other than...
Read More

Working with Platinum & Platinum Designing

My skills as an artist combined with my years of experience at the bench have given me a practical approach...
Read More
Laser Welding Basics – Part 3

Laser Welding Basics – Part 3

Back when I was going to school, if I had known I would be writing an article about laser welding...
Read More
Goldsmithing: Fusing Technique

Goldsmithing: Fusing Technique

When precious metal is heated to temperatures approaching its melting point there is a short span during which the outer...
Read More
Cluster Ring Assembly

Cluster Ring Assembly

One of the most difficult types of construction in jewelry is assembling a cluster of settings supported by a wire...
Read More

Scoring and Bending

Scoring and bending is one of the most important ways of constructing jewellery. Scoring is a method of obtaining very...
Read More
Anticlastic Raising Basics

Anticlastic Raising Basics

The word synclastic describes a form in which the dominant curves both move in the same direction. When the two...
Read More

How to Resize Platinum Rings

This article offers instructions on how to resize platinum rings whether for a size smaller or bigger, as well as,...
Read More
Setting Stones in Wax

Setting Stones in Wax

One of the most revolutionary advances in recent years, apart from laser welding, is the method of setting stones in...
Read More
Different Types of Knuckle Hinges

Different Types of Knuckle Hinges

While this one may seem a little odd at first glance the idea has merit. Linda Chow suggests that a...
Read More
Aluminum: Welded and Wearable

Aluminum: Welded and Wearable

The purpose of this paper is to acquaint the reader with the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing aluminum as a...
Read More
Hinges with Bearings

Hinges with Bearings

A bearing is essentially tube sections which are attached to the metal being hinged into which the hinge itself is...
Read More
Steps on Making a Leaf or Ruffle

Steps on Making a Leaf or Ruffle

This fold is an example of forging on the open side, and introduces how to use hardness dams in foldforming....
Read More
Comparative Analysis of Three Welding Systems

Comparative Analysis of Three Welding Systems

AJM Magazine asked me to perform a comparative analysis of three welding systems performance in several different precious metal welding...
Read More
Fold Forming Tool List

Fold Forming Tool List

These are the jewelry-making tools you'll need for fold forming.
Read More
Soldering Parts Using Pourable Soldering Jig

Soldering Parts Using Pourable Soldering Jig

There is a great way of doing very complex and repeated solderings in one go. This very important method uses...
Read More
Wire without rolling mill – Part 1

Wire without rolling mill – Part 1

How to make wire without rolling mill. A brief sample of the Giacomo's jewelry school on line .
Read More

Re-tipping Platinum Prongs

Platinum is a very durable metal, so prongs will last a long time. However, it is sometimes necessary to re-tip...
Read More
Bracelet Tongue Replacement

Bracelet Tongue Replacement

With the popularity of tennis bracelets over the last 20 years, replacing broken tongues has become a common repair in...
Read More
The Metal Corrugation Project

The Metal Corrugation Project

The act of contraction into repetitive wrinkles or alternate ridges and grooves. When studying nature forms, corrugation is regularly seen...
Read More
Securing Curved Stones for Easy Drilling

Securing Curved Stones for Easy Drilling

Securing curved stones when drilling can be a bit difficult. I use recycled ceramic china, beach pebbles, sea and river...
Read More

Methods of Closing Jump Rings

In high volume production operations, many jump rings need to be closed one after another. For such fast paced operations,...
Read More
Working with Jewelry Hinges Made Easy

Working with Jewelry Hinges Made Easy

Sometimes working with jewelry hinges can be too taxing. And not knowing how will make your work even harder. Here's...
Read More
950 Palladium: White Metal Alloys

950 Palladium: White Metal Alloys

Of late, an increasing number of white precious metal alloys have been introduced into the jewelry marketplace in answer to...
Read More
Laser Repair: Bangle Bracelet

Laser Repair: Bangle Bracelet

It's an "everyday" kind of repair job. The customer brings in a bangle bracelet that has a broken safety slide....
Read More

Chain Making Project

This project is for beginners that wish to become silversmiths, part time or full time. Keep in mind that there...
Read More
Steps on Making a T-Fold Boat Fold

Steps on Making a T-Fold Boat Fold

The boat fold branch of T-folds is an interesting avenue. It permits you to have a curving, concave table, and...
Read More
Palladium Annealing and Soldering

Palladium Annealing and Soldering

If you're just starting to work with palladium or interested in taking the leap, you should know a few critical...
Read More
6 Basic Wire Skills to Make a Necklace

6 Basic Wire Skills to Make a Necklace

The links in this 16-in. (40.6cm) necklace are forged so they become flat and work-hardened. The pearl in the featured...
Read More

Laser Welding Sterling Silver

In laser welding of Sterling Silver ' lower silver bearing alloys (coin silver) we have about seven choices in laser...
Read More
Magnesia Blocks Myth Debunked

Magnesia Blocks Myth Debunked

Myth: Magnesia blocks are superior soldering surfaces to charcoal blocks: A topic that seems to raise a fair amount of...
Read More
Basic Jewelry Construction and Soldering Principles

Basic Jewelry Construction and Soldering Principles

A short review of construction and soldering principles would be a good idea at this point. They're fairly basic. Principles...
Read More
Perfectly Fit Bezel

Perfectly Fit Bezel

Joints that fit well make soldering a snap. The next time you need to solder or fuse a bezel, try...
Read More

Alloys – Look on the White Side

In the jewelry industry, it's rare to have an alloy without drawbacks, particularly when the alloy is not yellow. When...
Read More
The Seven Korean Metalsmiths

The Seven Korean Metalsmiths

Five thousand years of Korean goldsmithing was interrupted from 1913 to 1953 due to the Japanese invasion and the Korean...
Read More
Double Tongue Tube Box Clasp

Double Tongue Tube Box Clasp

This project is a slight variation on the standard box clasp, the clasp outlined here uses two tongues rather than...
Read More

Safety Notes for Jewelers on Pitch, Chasing and Repousse

An ancient system of working metals, this procedure uses steel punches to manipulate the metal while it is fixed onto...
Read More

Repairing Broken Chains

The difficulty of chain repair lies in the fact that the chain is made up of fine wires. These wires...
Read More

Palladium Q&As

Its no secret that palladium has captured the attention of the industry. In 2005, purchase of palladium for jewelry use...
Read More
Handmade Acetate Spectacle Frames

Handmade Acetate Spectacle Frames

describe here some broad practical steps in making an acetate spectacle frame by hand. For a brief comparison let's consider...
Read More
Low-Cost Press Forming Technique

Low-Cost Press Forming Technique

I first saw this technique in a work-shop held at West Dean College, Cich-ester, Great Britain, presented by Louise O'Neill...
Read More
Debunking Three Myths About Sawing

Debunking Three Myths About Sawing

In thinking about the daily tasks that I undertake at the bench, I realized how easy it is to fall...
Read More

Plique-a-Jour Russian Soldering Method

There are a number of methods for plique a jour, a filigree technique that allows light to shine through the...
Read More
Steps on Making a Basic Wedge T-fold

Steps on Making a Basic Wedge T-fold

This page describes the steps to making a basic wedge T-fold
Read More

Multi-Metal Lamination

Multi-metal Lamination is a type of 'faux' married metal which produces a freer, more 'painterly' effect than the hard-edge, highly...
Read More
Prong Setting & Ring Sizing Tips

Prong Setting & Ring Sizing Tips

I'm going to do something different in this issue. Instead of taking you through the steps involved in putting a...
Read More
Palladium Melt

Palladium Melt

How to use a TIG torch to melt scrap 950 TruPd for an ingot. Follow Ganoksin Guide to Industry Web...
Read More
Victoria Lansford on the Art of Filigree

Victoria Lansford on the Art of Filigree

Victoria Lansford on the art of filigree—Russian or otherwise BOX: The Art of Handcraft Every jewelry designer can pinpoint the...
Read More
Cold Forging of Karat Gold Findings

Cold Forging of Karat Gold Findings

Cold forging in the karat gold jewelry industry has sometimes been referred to as stamping, coining and die striking. This...
Read More
Bracelet Shortening and Reassembling

Bracelet Shortening and Reassembling

This Charles and Colvard created moissanite (hereafter referred to as moissanite) and two-tone karat gold in-line bracelet requires shortening by...
Read More
950 Palladium: Setting Fabrication

950 Palladium: Setting Fabrication

This simple pendant design will be made with 950 palladium wire. Tack-welding technology will be used to temporarily hold the...
Read More

Profitable Jewelry Design and Repair

A few years ago, Jewelers Circular Magazine reported that over 75% of all retail jewelers in America lose money on...
Read More
Rendering Design and Process

Rendering Design and Process

This is the second in a series of articles on the art and skill of rendering jewelry and small metal...
Read More

Ornamental Chasing and Repousse

Working on the front of the piece only is called chasing. Repousse is the combination of tracing the design on...
Read More
The Creation of White Gold

The Creation of White Gold

White gold presents unique challenges. Who among us has not struggled with white gold at one time or another? Some...
Read More
Mary Lee Hu: The Purpose and Persistence of Wire

Mary Lee Hu: The Purpose and Persistence of Wire

Mary Lee Mary Lee Hu has worked with wire - looping, wrapping, weaving and most notably twining—for the past 22...
Read More
950 Palladium: Fabrication and Assembly

950 Palladium: Fabrication and Assembly

This article covers methods and techniques for hand fabrication, soldering and assembly for a custom designed 950 palladium and cultured...
Read More
How to Make a Carrick Mat Knot

How to Make a Carrick Mat Knot

Step by Step Tutorial - Making Three-lead Four-bight Turks-head. The Turks-Head is a general class of three-dimensional knot that lends...
Read More
Cufflink Hinge Pins

Cufflink Hinge Pins

Cuff-links can work well as a plain three-part hinge. There are some basics to the construction of cuff-links. The cuff-link...
Read More
Cast Hinges for Jewelers and Goldsmiths

Cast Hinges for Jewelers and Goldsmiths

Cast hinges are a very important part of much production jewelry work, partly because hinge assembly on such pieces is...
Read More
Electric Kiln Fired Mokume Gane Part 1

Electric Kiln Fired Mokume Gane Part 1

This is the first part of a series on Electric Kiln Fired Mokume Gane. Here we will focus on a...
Read More
Roll Printing Technique

Roll Printing Technique

Roll printing, or texture transfer, has been around a long time. The ancient Greeks and Romans used various dies and,...
Read More
Double sided bezel – Part 2

Double sided bezel – Part 2

how to make a double sided bezel
Read More
950 Palladium: Selling Points

950 Palladium: Selling Points

Designers and manufacturers have embraced 950 palladium alloys for a variety of jewelry manufacturing products. At the recent JA Jewelry...
Read More
Steps on Making a T-Fold with Table Insert

Steps on Making a T-Fold with Table Insert

This page describes the steps to using a table insert in a T-fold. A table insert is an object, or...
Read More
Transform Nails To Riveting Tools

Transform Nails To Riveting Tools

Soldering is a quick and easy method for joining metals. But sometimes two metals require a connection for which soldering...
Read More
Jewelry Using a Microfold Brake

Jewelry Using a Microfold Brake

With a simple corrugation tool and basic metalsmithing skills, you can make these great earrings. The newest toy in my...
Read More

Pinback Placement Hints

It is customary to place the joint at the right of the back of the pin and the catch on...
Read More
Electric Kiln Fired Mokume Gane Part 2

Electric Kiln Fired Mokume Gane Part 2

In this article in the series we will go to billet forging and making a simple wedding band in a...
Read More
Repairing a Sterling Silver Shell Cameo Pin

Repairing a Sterling Silver Shell Cameo Pin

Repairs and alterations of jewelry that has been in families for generations is an ongoing request at retail service departments....
Read More
Production Methods for Palladium Chain Making

Production Methods for Palladium Chain Making

As proudly proclaimed in its name, Balestra 1882 has manufactured high quality gold and platinum chain in Italy since 1882....
Read More
Steps on Making a Rolled Fold Heistad Cup

Steps on Making a Rolled Fold Heistad Cup

Rolled folds are folds which utilize the rolling mill and it's unique properties of equal, directional pressure on the plastic...
Read More
Master Metalsmith Alan Adler

Master Metalsmith Alan Adler

I first discovered Allan Adler's Silversmithing Shop about 23 years ago when I arrived in Southern California to begin my...
Read More

Fabricating a Crown to Fit a Stone

Often jewelers are called upon to hand fabricate a crown to fit a stone. This is necessary when either the...
Read More

Platinum Fabricating & Stamping

This paper is aimed mainly at the small- to medium-sized jewelry manufacturing operations interested in working with platinum group metals....
Read More
Tips for Creating Jump Rings

Tips for Creating Jump Rings

Jewelers use jump rings extensively as chain components, connectors, and linking devices for multiple construction problems. Here are a few...
Read More

North American Sources for Equipment, Materials, etc.

This page offers a list of some useful North American Sources for Equipment, Materials, information, etc that would be very...
Read More
Repairing an Omega Earring Clip

Repairing an Omega Earring Clip

This project shows a challenging repair and reconstruction of earrings with a broken Omega clip and heat sensitive gemstones.
Read More
How to Make a Pewter Sake Cup

How to Make a Pewter Sake Cup

Pewter, an alloy of tin, antimony, and copper, dominated European tableware for half a millennium until it was eclipsed by...
Read More
How to Choose Silver Jewelry Wire

How to Choose Silver Jewelry Wire

Working with silver jewelry wire is an essential skill for most jewelers. Learn the meaning of terms such as gauge,...
Read More
Finishing Machines

Finishing Machines

This segment from the 2017 MJSA Journal November issue is dedicated to metals, tools, software and more that aids jewelers...
Read More
Steps on Making a Chased Wedge T-fold

Steps on Making a Chased Wedge T-fold

This article describes the steps to making a chased wedge T-fold. To begin with a loop is made from a...
Read More
Metal Corrugation Vocabulary

Metal Corrugation Vocabulary

Metal corrugation is a unique roll-formed process whereby a precise and specific repetitive surface pattern is achieved when processing thin...
Read More

Benchtop Hydroflux Welders

Connections are an important part of jewelry manufacturing. We make them with suppliers, with retailers, even with the people who...
Read More
Shaping Non Ferrous Metals

Shaping Non Ferrous Metals

The motivation for undertaking this research was to establish a more expedient process to achieve volumetric forms in non ferreous...
Read More
Palladium Sizing, Welding and Engraving

Palladium Sizing, Welding and Engraving

In this article Chris Ploof shares tips for sizing, welding, and engraving palladium.
Read More
Avoiding Melting Soldered Seams

Avoiding Melting Soldered Seams

Soldering is a delicate and sometimes difficult process especially when you need to solder very close to a previous solder...
Read More
950 Palladium: Manufacturing Tips and Techniques

950 Palladium: Manufacturing Tips and Techniques

The "other white metal" is making its presence known and it wont be long before light, bright and white 950...
Read More
Pulse-Arc-Welder: Closing Chains

Pulse-Arc-Welder: Closing Chains

This sterling silver chocker chain is handmade from 16 gauge round wire. It has multiple interlocking links. The customer leads...
Read More
Speedwire Solving Problems for Laser Welding

Speedwire Solving Problems for Laser Welding

When Glenn Manning of Manning Jewelry in Foley, Alabama, bought his first laser welder almost a decade ago, he thought...
Read More

Firescale Prevention During Vacuum Casting

Firescale has been the scourge of sterling silver casters since the first silver was poured into a mold. It has...
Read More
Using Non-Jeweler’s Tools For Fabrication: How To Repurpose Painting Blades For Bezels

Using Non-Jeweler’s Tools For Fabrication: How To Repurpose Painting Blades For Bezels

Helen I. Driggs demonstrates how some non-jewelers tools give fabrication a new twist. My background is in graphic design, so...
Read More
Pulse-Arc-Welder: Box Clasp Tongue Repair

Pulse-Arc-Welder: Box Clasp Tongue Repair

This 14-karat yellow gold heavy bracelet chain has a broken tongue at its critical springy location. An ideal method for...
Read More

Laser Welding Basics – Part 2

In my last article I wrote about the various adjustable parameters, and the effects of changing those parameters. In this...
Read More
Making a 950 Palladium Signet Ring

Making a 950 Palladium Signet Ring

The natural beauty of this white, bright and light palladium ring is enhanced with hand engraving of initials done in...
Read More
Laser Repair: Emerald & Diamond Ring

Laser Repair: Emerald & Diamond Ring

It seems like a lot of laser repairs involve emeralds. I recall the Indiana Jones movies where "Indy" comes face...
Read More
Sheet Metal Tool Modification

Sheet Metal Tool Modification

Sheet Metal Tool Modification, Look for: WISS Hand Seamer (as LAST resort BRAMEC or VISE-GRIP) sheet metal bending tools and...
Read More
How to Make a Forged Platinum Pearl Ring

How to Make a Forged Platinum Pearl Ring

This project will teach welding, soldering and forging techniques. The ring is a handsome, plain design and can be applied...
Read More
Steps on Making a Basic T-fold

Steps on Making a Basic T-fold

This article describes the steps to making a basic T-fold, one of the main categories of fold-forming. Numerous variations are...
Read More
BBJ 1201 – Loop in Loop Chain

BBJ 1201 – Loop in Loop Chain

A Beads Baubles and Jewels project. Learn an old technique to create a contemporary look! Make a beautiful chain made...
Read More
All About Jump Rings

All About Jump Rings

Jump rings may be made most easily by using a small hand drill with various sizes of mandrel. Take a...
Read More
Making Silver Whistles

Making Silver Whistles

Okay, so this is a bit esoteric. I mean, how many people do you know that make silver whistles. It...
Read More
Sterling Silver Claw Money Clip – II

Sterling Silver Claw Money Clip – II

Sterling Silver Money Clip
Read More
How to Mount Objects in Metal Frames

How to Mount Objects in Metal Frames

For the illusion of "floating objects" Helen I. Driggs shares her technique, a step by step guide, on how to...
Read More
Using a mouth-pipe to solder

Using a mouth-pipe to solder

The second video was to be about setting up your bench and a basic set of tools you will need...
Read More
Wire Fibula Brooch

Wire Fibula Brooch

A Beads Baubles and Jewels project. Add some pizzazz to your Wire Fibula Brooch! This is your opportunity to get...
Read More
Laser Welding Channel Repair

Laser Welding Channel Repair

In previous articles we have looked into the "art" of prong repair using the laser (Full Prong Replacement and Tipping...
Read More
Contemporary Applications of Area Inlay

Contemporary Applications of Area Inlay

The use of area inlay, called damascening or woven inlay, is common in the ancient metalwork of Iran, India, Japan,...
Read More
Richard Reinhardt: Discontinuous Continuity

Richard Reinhardt: Discontinuous Continuity

Richard Reinhardt's best-known pieces today are silver bracelets, constructed in concave or convex forms that curve smoothly and logically in...
Read More
Cannon Ring

Cannon Ring

Cannon Ring Creator Leigh Wulle St. Louis, MO
Read More
Steps on Making a Plunkett Fold

Steps on Making a Plunkett Fold

One of the most intriguing, and fastest ways to make fold-forms are in the Rolled fold part of the system....
Read More
Removal of a Broken Drill Bit With Alum

Removal of a Broken Drill Bit With Alum

Using Alum to remove a broken drill bit from a brass part. McCormick Alum = Ammonium Aluminum Sulfate
Read More
Live And Let Die (Struck)

Live And Let Die (Struck)

In a manufacturing environment, there are numerous pitfalls and problems that will conspire to prevent successful completion of a job....
Read More
Making a Platinum Wire Setting

Making a Platinum Wire Setting

These materials are for a platinum pendant and they include wire made of a platinum iridium alloy. This article covers...
Read More
Tubing Cutting Method

Tubing Cutting Method

A jeweller and goldsmith has to cut tubing fairly regularly. My favorite methods include: cutting only on the upstroke using...
Read More
Setting a Pear Shape Emerald in a Full Bezel

Setting a Pear Shape Emerald in a Full Bezel

For this demonstration of Setting a Pear Shape Emerald in a Full Bezel I will be setting a large emerald...
Read More
Platinum Bench Tricks

Platinum Bench Tricks

This project is dedicated to bench tricks that make working with platinum-or working at the bench in general-easier. This is...
Read More
Making a Filigree Jig

Making a Filigree Jig

To begin, procure or make a box out of cardboard or balsa wood. A plastic soap dish, like the one...
Read More
Laser Welding Tipping Prongs

Laser Welding Tipping Prongs

Last issue we installed a new full prong on an opal and emerald pendant. This issue was supposed to be...
Read More
Ergonomics for Bench Pin Modifications

Ergonomics for Bench Pin Modifications

Ergonomics is the safe and effective relationship between a worker and the work environment. For the bench jeweler who spends...
Read More
Using Coils To Bend Tubing

Using Coils To Bend Tubing

Many tools sold in model/hobby stores can be used for jewelry making. During a recent visit to a hobby shop,...
Read More
How to Make a Heistad Cup

How to Make a Heistad Cup

Fold-forming is a hand-working technique applied to single sheets of metal to create surfaces and three-dimensional forms quickly without soldering....
Read More
Pulse-Arc-Welder: Sterling Silver Bracelet

Pulse-Arc-Welder: Sterling Silver Bracelet

To demonstrate how pulse-arc welding performs on sterling silver, this bracelet was cast, finished and assembled without the use of...
Read More
Nickel White Gold Welding

Nickel White Gold Welding

In this article I will be referring to terms that I have defined in previous articles. If you wish to...
Read More
Hydrogen Torch

Hydrogen Torch

Soldering/welding with a Spirig (Swiss) Hydrogen torch.
Read More
Channel Inlay Bracelet

Channel Inlay Bracelet

My first bracelet inlaid with mother of My pearl, petrified palm, dino bone, agate,lapis,turquoise,abalone, sonoran sunrise, (denver)granite, and tigers eye...
Read More
SETTING IRREGULAR STONE

SETTING IRREGULAR STONE

HOW..
Read More
Bypass Shank Ring Assembly

Bypass Shank Ring Assembly

Rings with by-pass shanks are right hand and left hand specific and are not interchangeable. When creating a ring with...
Read More
950 Palladium: Laser Welding Techniques

950 Palladium: Laser Welding Techniques

According to Frank McAllister, the quantity of individual pieces of jewelry made from 950 palladium has surpassed the same for...
Read More
How to Do Paper Die Embossing

How to Do Paper Die Embossing

The annealed metal is placed in a sandwich between soft 'pusher' paper and a hard paper which will serve as...
Read More
The Art of Gold

The Art of Gold

'The Art of Gold,' curated by Michael Monroe, is the first major survey of contemporary American goldsmithing. The traveling exhibition...
Read More
Wire Wrapping Enamel Pieces

Wire Wrapping Enamel Pieces

Everyone has long seen gems wrapped in small wire cages with hanging devices, and more recently, the Dichroic glass pendants...
Read More
Forged Ring Shank

Forged Ring Shank

This article describes step by step instructions how forged ring shank is done as described by Bradney W. Simon. For...
Read More
Pearl Earring Repair Using Mini Pulse III

Pearl Earring Repair Using Mini Pulse III

14-karat yellow gold cultured freshwater pearl and diamond earrings will be repaired as a demonstration of the new Mini Pulse...
Read More
Granulation Using Fusion Welding

Granulation Using Fusion Welding

This ring is manufactured using Hoover and Strongs 14-karat white gold alloyed with palladium. It was cast using standard casting...
Read More
A Modern Method of Creating Enameled Filigree Jewelry

A Modern Method of Creating Enameled Filigree Jewelry

After making jewelry and doing lapidary work for twenty-five years, I began looking for another type of jewelry making which...
Read More
Soumak on Metal

Soumak on Metal

Soumak is a textile technique which is commonly found in the weaving of rugs in the Middle East. The technique...
Read More
Architectural Portraits of Vicki Ambery-Smith

Architectural Portraits of Vicki Ambery-Smith

For nearly 30 years, Ambery-Smith has been using architecture as an inspiration for her work. Her name has become synonymous...
Read More
The Jewelry of Cynthia Eid

The Jewelry of Cynthia Eid

Standing in her forming studio, surrounded by hammers, stakes, and photo equipment, metalsmith Cynthia Eid is experiencing a moment of...
Read More

How to Make Sharp Corner Cuts

Sawing is an essential skill for a bench jeweler. This article will show you a technique that will increase your...
Read More
Platinum Ring Sizing and Torch Welding

Platinum Ring Sizing and Torch Welding

Sizing and torch welding a platinum ring with diamonds channel set down the shank could be risky to the diamonds....
Read More
Lamination of Non Ferrous Metals by Diffusion

Lamination of Non Ferrous Metals by Diffusion

We have been interested in Mokume-gane for a number of years. The only information we could find was by the...
Read More
Overcoming Bench Mistakes

Overcoming Bench Mistakes

From the Editor: It’s happened to everyone. You’re working on a project and everything is going along well until…. Oops....
Read More
950 Palladium: Manufacturing Methods

950 Palladium: Manufacturing Methods

Palladium, long used as a luxurious jewelry metal, has recently experienced renewed interest largely due to its purity, natural white...
Read More
Superfit’s Hinge and Latch System

Superfit’s Hinge and Latch System

Getting a superior fit on your next custom ring order could be just a few mouse clicks away. Superfit Inc.,...
Read More
Fabricating a Pear-Shaped Pendant

Fabricating a Pear-Shaped Pendant

A customer selects a
 pear-shape sea foam tourmaline from your loose stone s
and informs you she would
 like a...
Read More
How to Build Up a Thin Shank

How to Build Up a Thin Shank

This cultured pearl and diamond 14K yellow gold ring is in for sizing. When the take-in person inspected the ring,...
Read More
Sewing Palm

Sewing Palm

Sewing Palm Making
Read More
950 Palladium: Finishing Procedures

950 Palladium: Finishing Procedures

Practicing specific procedures for pre-finishing and polishing of 950 palladium will make a stunning difference in the final presentation of...
Read More
Master Metalsmith John Prip

Master Metalsmith John Prip

One observation on the career of John Prip (more often called Jack) is the way in which the man and...
Read More
Installing and Repairing Hinge Rivets

Installing and Repairing Hinge Rivets

Installing or repairing hinge rivets can be difficult with a torch. Flooding a hinge with solder and permanently joining a...
Read More

Fine Silver Granulation – Part 2

Granulation involves placing and fusing tiny balls of silver on the surface of the backsheet in a preplanned design. The...
Read More
Beam Path Check

Beam Path Check

With the Nd:Yag Micro Laser Welders, being used by the jewelry, and other industrial manufacturing / repair industries, there is...
Read More

Tricks for Hollow Rings with Miniature Stakes

Make the inner band the desired size first. 18 or 20 gauge is about right. Next make the bezel or...
Read More
Matt Gun – Working with the Blue Wax

Matt Gun – Working with the Blue Wax

Designing jewelry with the Matt wax extrusion gun. The blue wax is specially formulated to cool quickly, allowing the jeweler...
Read More
Pulse Shaping: Energy Over Time

Pulse Shaping: Energy Over Time

Laser technology is still so new to 
our industry and there is still so much 
to discover. Fortunately, I believe...
Read More
Michael’s Designs & ArtCAM

Michael’s Designs & ArtCAM

Michael Buckley from Michael's Designs describes himself as a jeweller who has come from a traditional hand crafted approach to...
Read More
Simple Steps to Planishing Copper

Simple Steps to Planishing Copper

Steps and tools for simple planishing of copper. Easily remove hammer or mallet marks from a formed copper bowl. The...
Read More
950 Palladium: Successful Design Considerations

950 Palladium: Successful Design Considerations

Well designed 950 palladium jewelry plays to the strengths of this unique metal -- the aesthetics of its light, bright,...
Read More
950 Palladium: Superior White Color

950 Palladium: Superior White Color

Striking differences between elements such as color, tone, texture, reflection, refraction, pattern and shape create contrast. Contrast not only enhances...
Read More
Bezel For Cabochon Using Rhino

Bezel For Cabochon Using Rhino

We have imported a cabochon 10x8 stone to make a bezel around it using Rhinoceros software.
Read More
Wire without rolling mill – Part 3

Wire without rolling mill – Part 3

How to make wire without rolling mill.
Read More
Minoru Hotta

Minoru Hotta

Minoru Hotta combines hundreds of cubes and rectangular solids. And here is how he does it
Read More
American Holloware Changing Criteria

American Holloware Changing Criteria

The expressions which have come to identify the pre- and post-World War II generations - Me decade, suburban frontiersmen, spoiled...
Read More
Electric Kiln Fired Mokume Gane Part 3

Electric Kiln Fired Mokume Gane Part 3

This last installment of this series on Mokume Gane  will focus on the different Mokume Gane pattern techniques and the...
Read More
Tackling Chain and Finding Repair

Tackling Chain and Finding Repair

Ask most jewelers about repairing a chain or finding and they’re likely to offer you their best Charlie Brown impression:...
Read More
Flat Topped Solitaire Setting

Flat Topped Solitaire Setting

The Flat Topped Solitaire Setting is a popular style setting that is slightly more complicated to set than the standard...
Read More

Special Repair Work

It is not uncommon for moving parts to wear out. This is to be expected because of increased friction as...
Read More
Matt Mini-Lathe Intro

Matt Mini-Lathe Intro

The Matt Mini-Lathe removes wax on all kinds of circular and cylindrical forms to help you create bands, bezels, settings,...
Read More
Making a Yellow Gold and Platinum Ring

Making a Yellow Gold and Platinum Ring

This two-part series highlights tips and techniques, tools and accessories and procedures for custom making the 18 karat yellow gold...
Read More
Fabricating a Free Form Opal Pendant

Fabricating a Free Form Opal Pendant

I received this opal from a woman who had cut it years ago. Her customer was aware it had a...
Read More
Laser Welding Full Prong Replacement

Laser Welding Full Prong Replacement

One of the most frequent repair jobs involving the laser is prong repair. This is the first in a series...
Read More
Making a White Gold and Turquoise Cameo Pendant

Making a White Gold and Turquoise Cameo Pendant

This article covers techniques for making this custom designed 14-karat white and 22-karat yellow gold granulated pendant for a customers...
Read More
950 Palladium Bridal Jewelry Manufacturing

950 Palladium Bridal Jewelry Manufacturing

Retailers have been converting bridal inventories from white gold to palladium as manufacturers expand the selection of new palladium jewelry...
Read More
Hiroko Sato Pijanowski – Artistic Research Into Spiritual Expression

Hiroko Sato Pijanowski – Artistic Research Into Spiritual Expression

Creativity is problem-solving, a skill based on the conscious and/or unconscious recombination and juxtaposition of information derived from diverse sources...
Read More
Toolmaker’s Tools of the Trade

Toolmaker’s Tools of the Trade

The word "technology" is defined as the totality of the means employed to provide the objects necessary for sustenance and...
Read More
Making a Double Domed Pendant

Making a Double Domed Pendant

This article covers techniques for making an 18-karat double domed yellow gold pendant. The front side will have a bezel...
Read More
22K Gold Granulation on Turquoise Earrings

22K Gold Granulation on Turquoise Earrings

Featured are the materials for turquoise, platinum and 22-karat gold granulation earrings. The turquoise is 10.25 millimeters round and will...
Read More
Making a Crown Using Welding Technology

Making a Crown Using Welding Technology

David and Diana Howard, owners of My Jeweler, Inc. in Albuquerque , NM recently worked with a local church to...
Read More
950 Palladium: Stock Mountings and Findings

950 Palladium: Stock Mountings and Findings

The reintroduction of white, bright and light palladium for use in the jewelry industry has quickly introduced an expanding assortment...
Read More
Eternity Ring

Eternity Ring

Edwardian Style Eternity Ring
Read More
950 Palladium: Casting Procedures

950 Palladium: Casting Procedures

With the jewelry industrys acceptance and increased use of new 950 palladium alloys for jewelry design and manufacturing, its fundamental...
Read More
Enamel on PMC or Fine Silver

Enamel on PMC or Fine Silver

A Beads Baubles and Jewels project. Enameling on metal clay adds vibrant color and exciting design. Learn the wet packing...
Read More
Laser Mokume – The Satow Method

Laser Mokume – The Satow Method

The traditional Mokume process yields very beautiful results but is extremely labor intensive. Along with the high price of labor...
Read More
Wire without rolling mill – Part 2

Wire without rolling mill – Part 2

How to make wire without rolling mill. A brief sample of the Giacomo's jewelry school on line .
Read More
Fabricated Reversible Pearl Pendant

Fabricated Reversible Pearl Pendant

Design ideas often begin one way, then evolve into something different. Such was the case with Robin Waynee's two-sided palladium...
Read More

The New MJSA/WGC White Gold Color Index

Have you ever noticed how white gold varies in color? Many folks think white gold is the same color as...
Read More
Basic Tubing Catch Fabrication

Basic Tubing Catch Fabrication

First one chooses an appropriate metal for the various parts, that is a metal with appropriate structural for it's thickness...
Read More

Bayonet clasp

How it's made a tubular Bayonet clasp, for rubber or leather round cord. Hand made.
Read More
Scorpion Pendant

Scorpion Pendant

How it's made a Scorpio sign gold pendant using hollow technique. (Here are some details I did not show in...
Read More
Platinum Wire Filigree

Platinum Wire Filigree

Platinum wire filigree can be easily added to an article of jewelry providing a unique design element. The filigree can...
Read More
Custom Made Jewelry Findings

Custom Made Jewelry Findings

Hali Baykov offers here some diagrams and notes, with the basic steps in making specialized findings, including double pins and...
Read More
The Matt Gun- Using Green Wax to Model on Water

The Matt Gun- Using Green Wax to Model on Water

Working with the Matt Gun - Using the green wax pellets to design on water creates models with unique and...
Read More
Cultured Baroque Pearl Necklace

Cultured Baroque Pearl Necklace

This story details manufacturing and assembly steps for a cultured baroque pearl necklace with yellow gold design elements. pearl necklace....
Read More
950 Palladium: Gemstone Setting

950 Palladium: Gemstone Setting

Setting gemstones in 950 palladium alloys is a bench jeweler'#39;s dream. Stone setters will agree that the combination of palladium'#39;s...
Read More
Ear nuts – Part 2

Ear nuts – Part 2

How the simplest earnuts are made without any soldering operation. hand made .
Read More
Hints on Making Tubing

Hints on Making Tubing

This article is an extract from the book 'Hinges and Hinge-Based Catches for Jewelers and Goldsmiths' Not all sizes and...
Read More
Welding Technology Tool Modifications Part 2

Welding Technology Tool Modifications Part 2

Custom jewelry projects for tack-, fusion-, and pulse-arc-welding sometimes call for special welding tool lead attachments. Bench jewelers often make...
Read More
950 Palladium: Fabricating Custom Earrings

950 Palladium: Fabricating Custom Earrings

This article examines manufacturing procedures used to hand fabricate 950 palladium earrings. These custom earrings designed by Lainie Mann feature...
Read More
Design Layout Tip

Design Layout Tip

Designing stock pieces for my jewelry store has never been more fun than it is now that I have a...
Read More
An Interview with Leila Tai

An Interview with Leila Tai

In this article, renowned enamelist Leila Tai discusses her many motivations and inspirations as well as her creative process in...
Read More

Platinum Consideration Factors

Jurgen J Maerz of the Platinum Guild International USA outlines factors to consider when adding platinum to your line of...
Read More
Making an Alternative Filigree Jig

Making an Alternative Filigree Jig

Begin by making a box as described in the last chapter. Cut a piece of wood 1/8 to 3/16" of...
Read More

The Origins of Fold Forming

In 1979 and 80 I went to study at the Fachhochschule für Gestaltung in Pforzheim West Germany at the suggestion...
Read More
Remount Preparation Using Tack Welding

Remount Preparation Using Tack Welding

Tacking settings in location on remounts using tack-welding technology offers the bench jeweler many advantages over traditional assembly methods... Tack-welding...
Read More
Use a Split Mandrel for Finishing Round Bezels

Use a Split Mandrel for Finishing Round Bezels

A bench jeweler typically uses a split mandrel to sand and finish the inside of a ring. Various grits of...
Read More

How to Step-Roll Wire

One requires a taper on the end of the wire to grip it with when placed through a drawplate for...
Read More
Hollow Forms with Jaydan Moore

Hollow Forms with Jaydan Moore

Jadan shows viewers how to make a hollow form ring with its most basic components and offers his personal tips...
Read More
Coin ring tools Free punch template Demo

Coin ring tools Free punch template Demo

Demonstration of free template available at www.CoinRingTools.com How to make coin rings.
Read More
Fixturing Using Welding Technology

Fixturing Using Welding Technology

Fixturing is a technique of using tack- and/or pulse-arc welding technology to temporarily position parts prior to soldering, pulse-arc or...
Read More
Reconstructing Earrings Using Welding Technology

Reconstructing Earrings Using Welding Technology

These fashion drop earrings contain oval diamonds weighing 1.78 carats. The customer is concerned about loss because of the open...
Read More
Laser Welding Prong Repairs

Laser Welding Prong Repairs

This article provides a step by step procedure on how to do laser welding prong repairs on a ring.  Laser...
Read More
Working With Alternative Metals

Working With Alternative Metals

With the high price of gold, jewelry makers are looking to incorporate alternative metals into their lines. I frequently work...
Read More
How to Modify a Goldsmith Hammer

How to Modify a Goldsmith Hammer

Jewelers and metalsmiths have had to make their own tools throughout the ages to accomplish different tasks at the jeweler's...
Read More
Rolling mill

Rolling mill

ROAL Rolling Mill
Read More
Laser Welding Plique a Jour Owl Brooch

Laser Welding Plique a Jour Owl Brooch

Laser welders, it seems, have as many applications as there are imaginations and types of jewelry. This laser welding project...
Read More
Meteorite Pendant by Jacob Albee

Meteorite Pendant by Jacob Albee

Like many jewelers, Jacob Albee of Jacob Albee Goldsmith in Burlington, Vermont, buys stones without always knowing what he’s going...
Read More
Pulse-Arc-Welder: Ring Prong Replacement

Pulse-Arc-Welder: Ring Prong Replacement

This 14-karat yellow gold, emerald and diamond ring has a broken prong requiring prong replacement. Steece Hermanson will replace the...
Read More
Torque Necklace with Jewelry Arts Institute

Torque Necklace with Jewelry Arts Institute

www.jewelryarts.com Learn how to make a torque necklace. video courtesy of about.com
Read More
Organic Geometric Bracelet

Organic Geometric Bracelet

Always preferring a combination of metals in her jewelry, Sydney Lynch of Sydney Lynch Jewelry Inc. in Lincoln, Nebraska, discovered...
Read More
Setting and Shank Assemblies

Setting and Shank Assemblies

Setting and shank assemblies are routine work in many retail manufacturing jewelry shops. Heres a method for expediting this process...
Read More
How to Make a Three Stone Dangle Pendant

How to Make a Three Stone Dangle Pendant

The assembly of this three stone pendant pendant appears simple but when using traditional methods to position and join the...
Read More
Laser Welding Solid Back on Opal Ring

Laser Welding Solid Back on Opal Ring

This article is a step by step procedure in Laser Welding Solid Back on Opal Ring. The customer wanted a...
Read More
A Crowning Achievement Part 2

A Crowning Achievement Part 2

In the last issue we looked at making a basic basket crown. In this article we will fabricate a more...
Read More
Making a Three Stone Ring – Part 1

Making a Three Stone Ring – Part 1

Creating the Mounting. Handmade ring created using findings from Southeastern Findings (sefindings.com). Basic finger ring construction demonstrated and use of...
Read More
Tiffany Inspired Hollow Chain and Stone Set Heart Pendant  Part 3

Tiffany Inspired Hollow Chain and Stone Set Heart Pendant Part 3

How it's made a Tiffany inspired hollow chain and a heart shaped pendant using hollow technique. 14k gold, hand made....
Read More
950 Palladium: Unique Manufacturing Process

950 Palladium: Unique Manufacturing Process

This Unique Settings ring is an excellent design for palladium with heavy, low-profile prongs for the 1.50 carat center diamond,...
Read More
Eternity Band with Matrix@

Eternity Band with Matrix@

Using a builder tool we will make an eternity band. Then, we will alter it so the stones don't go...
Read More
Debunking a Soldering Myth 2

Debunking a Soldering Myth 2

There are many myths about heating pieces during soldering that can cause innumerable problems during relatively simple soldering operations. In...
Read More
Hand Engraved Love Token Silver Coin by Shaun Hughes

Hand Engraved Love Token Silver Coin by Shaun Hughes

Love tokens have been made for 100 of years. I wanted to learn hand engraving,and this is a good way...
Read More
The Representation in Contemporary Metals

The Representation in Contemporary Metals

My recollection of the first piece of metalwork I owned is of a pin consisting of two poodles connected by...
Read More
Making Custom-Designed Earrings Using Welding Technology

Making Custom-Designed Earrings Using Welding Technology

This custom job of 14 karat yellow gold earrings with diamonds and pink tourmaline is made easy using tack-welding technology....
Read More
Full eBook: Doming Silver Beads

Full eBook: Doming Silver Beads

Full eBook. 96 Pages. If you've ever dreamed of making perfect silver beads every time, then this manual is just...
Read More
How To Avoid Destructive Tack-Welds

How To Avoid Destructive Tack-Welds

As a technical adviser to bench jewelers I often troubleshoot tack-, fusion- and pulse-arc-welding applications. One of the more frequently...
Read More
Cannon Ring Shoot 2

Cannon Ring Shoot 2

Cannon Ring Creator Leigh Wulle St. Louis, MO
Read More
Homemade Vice Engraving

Homemade Vice Engraving

Home made engravers vice DIY
Read More
Gorham Masterpieces in Metal Exhibition

Gorham Masterpieces in Metal Exhibition

Gorham Company was 45 years old when its 2,000-ounce "Century Vase" celebrating the nation's centennial won great acclaim at the...
Read More
Pulse Shaping Test, 14k Ni WG

Pulse Shaping Test, 14k Ni WG

The following is one method of adjusting parameters after altering the pulse shape. This article is not intended to promote...
Read More
Jewelry Repairs with ABI Mini Pulse Arc III

Jewelry Repairs with ABI Mini Pulse Arc III

This article covers routine repair and assembly projects accomplished using Mini Pulse Arc III. Tack-, fusion- and pulse-arc equipment settings...
Read More
Knife Making Techniques for Jewelry Design

Knife Making Techniques for Jewelry Design

My dad was in the Navy during World War II and was among the personnel who entered Japan shortly after...
Read More
Resizing Damaged Rings

Resizing Damaged Rings

This page provides some helpful tips when it comes to resizing damaged rings with stones. Read on for more. When...
Read More
The Cutting Edge of Blade Design

The Cutting Edge of Blade Design

To Bryant Clark design is foremost, and the designs for his hand-crafted knives are created from his knowledge of history...
Read More
The Goldsmiths: Studio & Shop

The Goldsmiths: Studio & Shop

Reviving the virtually dead enameling technique plique-à-jour, which means "the light of day as seen through a membrane," has been...
Read More
How to make a round twisted bangle

How to make a round twisted bangle

how to make a round twisted bangle
Read More
Platinum Granulation Process

Platinum Granulation Process

Granulation, a process dating back a lot longer than I can remember, is clearly one of jewelry histories most prominent...
Read More
Laser Repair: Emerald and Diamond Bracelet

Laser Repair: Emerald and Diamond Bracelet

This article by Steve Satow describes the procedure for repairing an emerald and diamond bracelet using laser technology. Top view...
Read More
Creating a 950 Palladium and Diamond Ring

Creating a 950 Palladium and Diamond Ring

This ring design provides an excellent example for gemstone setting and working characteristics of 950 palladium. The superior white color...
Read More
Medieval arcade gemstone setting

Medieval arcade gemstone setting

Medieval arcade gemstone setting
Read More
Pulse-Arc-Welder: Pearl and Diamond Pendant

Pulse-Arc-Welder: Pearl and Diamond Pendant

This karat gold pendant design calls for several solder joints in close proximity. To facilitate the assembly, I tack and/or...
Read More
Round Links Hollow Bracelet – Part 1