Metals

Photoetching metal is simple AND FUN! Etching can be used for printing processes, as an artifact of art, or for...

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

Goldsmiths work with metals. Our bodies react to metals, their dusts, salts and oxides. The metals that jewelers come in...

In many countries, regulations govern the caratage of gold solders used to make jewellery and, with few exceptions, gold solder...

Fire scale or fire stain is a reddish purple toned 'bloom' or 'stain' that appears on silver/copper alloys such as...

The purpose of this article is two fold. First, we receive a number of inquiries as to whether or not...

Considered to be one of the richest and most important archaeological finds in Great Britain, the Ship Burial known as...

From ancient times, gold has been used mostly in decorative items, and the colour of gold plays an important role...

Jewelers are a restless and inquisitive group. Not content with producing sumptuous jewelry, they spray it with chemicals, dip it...

In this presentation I attempted to provide you with information on platinum alloys to help you make an informed decision...

I enamel on various metals making a variety of pieces from post earrings to 5" x 8" framed enamels. The...

Because titanium behaves somewhat differently than the standard metals in the goldsmith's workshop some special attention to its working is...

A short while back I prepared this short photo tutorial showing how I make leaves from metal. I have use...

Casting of silver can be fairly easy and these notes are the results of my experience through trial and error...

Metalsmiths and enamelists have used ferric chloride for several years as a safer alternative to nitric acid for copper and...

The small-medium scale refiner (typically up to 3-4 kg per batch) tends to adopt the Aqua Regia process as being...

Niobium has many properties that make it an excellent candidate for fabricated parts. Of particular interest to jewelry manufacturers and...

Jewelers treat soldered objects with dilute acid solutions to remove oxides produced from heating and soldering as well as glassy...

Today, platinum is enjoying its renaissance. In the U.S., platinum consumption has risen by more than 700% since 1990. More...

Textile techniques are traditionally worked with fibers such as linen, cotton and silk. However, they can also be applied to...

In this article, I will discuss the basics of metal preparation for the enameling process. Some experienced enamelists may disagree...

Rolling can be thought of as a local, or isolated, deformation process during which thickness is decreased, length increased, and...

Heat treatment changes the microstructure of a metal or alloy. It is a process that may be applied after casting,...

There is a major difference between durability and scratch resistance. Platinum is very durable. When scratched, the scratch actually displaces...

Invented in 1996 by Peter Johns, a professor of silversmithing at Englands Middlesex University, Argentium[R] Sterling Silver, like traditional sterling...

Adding vibrant colors to jewelry can involve any number of methods — from careful enameling by hand to the high-tech...

Niello is a deep black metal mixture that is fused onto metal for decorative effect. Though worked on three-dimensional objects,...

This method of etching uses a prepared ferric chloride solution which also contains hydrochloric acid. This 'etchant' is not a...

Did you ever imagine you'd see the day when a finely woven mesh bracelet with thousands of tiny links could...

A selected bibliography list for the jeweler - Metal working, Casting, Plating, Enamelling ,Gem Cutting, Setting, Engraving and Etching, Other...

Joining is a very important production technique in the field of jewelry production. Therefore it is useful to know, what...

Standard yellow gold alloys which are based on gold-silver copper can be used for many production processes. They could be...

The jewellery market is looking for harder high-carat gold alloys that are more resistant to wear and scratching. Current research...

Tarnishing is superficial corrosion of the carat gold surface and is evident by a usually dark discolouration - the tarnish...

Japanese artists have contributed significantly by using their unique alloys in innovative combinations. Perhaps the best example of this is...

When questions arise about manufacturing quality gold jewelry, manufacturers are eager to talk shop with their peers and industry experts....

As with most Japanese metal coloring methods the techniques are metallurgically based rather than solution oriented; in the West we...

This article is the second of a three-part series on Metal Spinning by James Seavey discussing the techniques in developing...

It took about two months of experimentation to get the formulas for Platinum Sterling Silver just right - Robinson created...

Titanium and the other refractory metals other the metalsmith a new range of exotic colors - colors that are beautiful...

In practice an experienced eye will usually be able to determine by color and luster whether a piece is made...

The most commonly used metals for enameling are pure copper and fine silver. The fine silver is primarily used for...

The metal conversion chart below will help you determine the amount of metal needed to create a piece of jewelry...

Enameling on pieces made from Precious Metal Clay is a joy! The clay is malleable and will take any shape...

Sterling silver alloys typically contain about 7.5 percent copper, an addition that not only provides strength to the otherwise pure...

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

White gold jewelry is a hot fashion trend that does not show signs of cooling off any time soon. Manufacturers...

Very little research has been done on the medical problems of artists as a direct result of occupational health hazards....

When most people think of colored jewelry, their minds conjure visions of rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. After all, jewelry makers...

Gold and silver have long been esteemed as the king and queen of metals, for good reason. No other members...

The purpose of precious metal testing is to determine, first, whether a given sample is precious or base, and, second,...

Much of the recent literature on defects that occur in jewellery manufacture is focused on those occurring in lost wax...

Making silver wire

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

This patination solution gives you a range of greens, olives, browns, black, turquoise and yellow-greens on many metals because it...

If you are involved with computers you know how rapidly things are changing, prices are sinking and capabilities increasing. Computer...

The act of contraction into repetitive wrinkles or alternate ridges and grooves. When studying nature forms, corrugation is regularly seen...

Of late, an increasing number of white precious metal alloys have been introduced into the jewelry marketplace in answer to...

This project is for beginners that wish to become silversmiths, part time or full time. Keep in mind that there...

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

An art school is in some ways a difficult place to learn to be a metalsmith. Traditional systems of industry...

Adding or changing the color on your sculpture Titanium can breathe new life or change the character of a piece....

No single item is more used yet more neglected than flatware. It is used in one form or another by...

The popularity of white gold has us all looking to the most perplexing gold we use. Perplexing a variety of...

When it comes to white gold, my customers want the brightest, whitest white they can get -- and some are...

Most jewelers know how to handle their precious metal scraps: they separate their scraps by metal, dry out ultrasonic solutions...

Applying liquid gold, palladium and/or silver in the final firing of enamel pieces is something that can frequently raise the...

Throughout the history of jewelry making, metalsmiths have strived to perfect not only their artistry, but their materials as well....

While I was in graduate school at San Diego State University I became interested in the anodizing process. I had...

An alloy is by definition a mixture of two or more metals to create different strengths and colors. For granulation,...

In the jewelry industry, it's rare to have an alloy without drawbacks, particularly when the alloy is not yellow. When...

Five thousand years of Korean goldsmithing was interrupted from 1913 to 1953 due to the Japanese invasion and the Korean...

As skill develops in spinning, it becomes more important to have a sense of what forms can be produced. To...

Granulation, a technique used in jewelry and metalwork, is the decorative use of minute metal granules attached to the surface...

Now this is a truly attractive book. One of those coffee table type books dripping with gorgeous National Geographic quality...

Its no secret that palladium has captured the attention of the industry. In 2005, purchase of palladium for jewelry use...

Looking down the long corridors of time, the ancient Etruscans emerge as a powerful people whose economic and social development...

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

There are a few scientific methods for precisely determining karat gold purity, some destructive (fire assay) and others nondestructive (X-ray...

Multi-metal Lamination is a type of 'faux' married metal which produces a freer, more 'painterly' effect than the hard-edge, highly...

How to use a TIG torch to melt scrap 950 TruPd for an ingot. Follow Ganoksin Guide to Industry Web...

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

There are a few scientific methods for precisely determining karat gold purity, some destructive (fire assay) and others nondestructive (X-ray...

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

White gold presents unique challenges. Who among us has not struggled with white gold at one time or another? Some...

In this issue I'm going to walk you through the creation of a ring with two different colors of gold....

This is the first part of a series on Electric Kiln Fired Mokume Gane. Here we will focus on a...

The motivation for undertaking this research was to establish a more expedient process to achieve volumetric forms in non-ferreous metals....

In this article in the series we will go to billet forging and making a simple wedding band in a...

In the Middle Ages, alchemy meant the art of fathoming natural substances in an experimental manner. The goal of the...

From 1988 to 1989, German goldsmith Hermann Jünger was celebrated in his native country with a major retrospective of his...

In late 1981, I began working with anodized aluminum, drawn to its light weight, availability and low cost. In developing...

Historically, a wide range of techniques has been used to clad or coat silver or base metals with gold. These...

In cast iron we recognize only the machine-made copy of a copy; in wrought-iron we feel the presence of the...

This page offers a list of some useful North American Sources for Equipment, Materials, information, etc that would be very...

Pewter, an alloy of tin, antimony, and copper, dominated European tableware for half a millennium until it was eclipsed by...

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

As you may have noticed (Id be astonished if you hadnt), prices for gold and silver, platinum too, are on...

The motivation for undertaking this research was to establish a more expedient process to achieve volumetric forms in non ferreous...

Quick and easy Silver test - WARNING: if you are under 18 or unfamiliar at all with these testing methods,...

This article is based on technical information taken from my personal notes and experiences, shared information from the Penland Anodizing...

In modern melting and casting technology, the need for products able to front competition in the field of quality and...

Firescale has been the scourge of sterling silver casters since the first silver was poured into a mold. It has...

Jay Whaley demonstrates how to use a convertible steel ingot mold, melting dishes, and a new wire handled ingot pouring...

The origins of metallurgy are shrouded in mystery, contributing to the mythology that dev eloped around the metalsmith's art. With...

A Beads Baubles and Jewels project. Add some pizzazz to your Wire Fibula Brooch! This is your opportunity to get...

The use of area inlay, called damascening or woven inlay, is common in the ancient metalwork of Iran, India, Japan,...

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

Cannon Ring Creator Leigh Wulle St. Louis, MO

Meditation on Metallurgy Not everything is metal, but metal is everywhere. Metal is the conductor of all matter….And thought is...

Many tools sold in model/hobby stores can be used for jewelry making. During a recent visit to a hobby shop,...

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

Although the basic anodizing principles involved in the reactive metals have been discussed in the past, a deeper insight into...

This article was completed just weeks before Robert von Neumann's accidental fall and subsequent death on April 23, 1984. Books...

'The Art of Gold,' curated by Michael Monroe, is the first major survey of contemporary American goldsmithing. The traveling exhibition...

Soumak is a textile technique which is commonly found in the weaving of rugs in the Middle East. The technique...

Metalwork in the 20th Century When curator J. Stewart Johnson of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York decided...

The hardening of gold and silver is now easier than ever before thanks to increased experience in the heat treatment...

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

As many and varied as the reasons may be to publicize a message or to make a very personal statement,...

The principle of this ancient, valued procedure is described here because of its historical interest, and with the thought that...

Procrastination can sometimes lead to wonderful discoveries. Tom Arnold, owner of Facets Fine Jewelry in Arlington, Virginia, found this out...

Metal shop tin men seem to be as American as L. Frank Baum's tale of Dorothy and company in the...

A micro-waterjet device can be used to achieve fine matt finishes on precious metal surfaces. Parts required for this are:...

Pat Pruitt of Paguate, New Mexico, has been working with stainless steel for over a decade. Three years ago, he...

One observation on the career of John Prip (more often called Jack) is the way in which the man and...

This segment from the 2017 MJSA Journal November issue is dedicated to metals, tools, software and more that aids jewelers...

The principle of bi-metal casting is really very simple: A wax model is invested, cast and finished. A secondary wax...

Advanced Jewelry Technologies (owned by this author) and Rio Grande are introducing a new CAD CAM system designed to make...

When Joseph Trippetti returned from the Army in 1946, he studied for three years at Philadelphia College of Art and...

The expressions which have come to identify the pre- and post-World War II generations - Me decade, suburban frontiersmen, spoiled...

This last installment of this series on Mokume Gane  will focus on the different Mokume Gane pattern techniques and the...

A variety of colors stands for zest and happiness. In the case of jewelry, these strong emotions have been expressed...

The word "technology" is defined as the totality of the means employed to provide the objects necessary for sustenance and...

Filmed at Kraftwerks from PM West, Robert Lumabao demonstrates how one refiner makes beautiful and reliable platinum casting grain. By...

Understanding why solders melt and how they flow is fundamental to mastering soldering techniques. The alloys we use every day...

The first reference that I have that links copperas with the collection of fossils is found in the 'Life and...

Standard sterling silver is not a perfect material to work with firescale adds extra production costs and the tarnishing characteristic...

Have you ever noticed how white gold varies in color? Many folks think white gold is the same color as...

Shawna Kulpa takes a look into the assaying methods refiners use to determine the value of a lot. This article...

When it comes to recovering precious metal, nothing is worthless. However, if you walk into many repair shops you will...

Platinum jewelry manufacturing presents some very different concerns when discussing the collection of materials for refining purposes. The assumption that...

Three weeks before "Towards A New Iron Age" was to open at the Mint Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina, it...

Jurgen J Maerz of the Platinum Guild International USA outlines factors to consider when adding platinum to your line of...

With over 300 tonnes of gold used in electronics each year, end-of-life electronic equipment offers an important recycling potential for...

Artist's with shared sensibilities and needs often come together to form co-operative studios in order to reduce overhead, share equipment,...

With the high price of gold, jewelry makers are looking to incorporate alternative metals into their lines. I frequently work...

For most of this century, story-telling in art has been considered taboo. From the turn of the century to well...

A micro-scale experiment explaining some principles related to the refining process of silver.

Double is a German word of french origin meaning rolled gold or gold fill material. I use it for the...

My recollection of the first piece of metalwork I owned is of a pin consisting of two poodles connected by...

Following the release of its Sterling with Platinum alloy, ABI Precious Metals in Carson, California, has developed yellow gold alloys...

While gold's mystique is indisputable, we must resist being so entranced by its luster that we fail to recognize and...

The following is one method of adjusting parameters after altering the pulse shape. This article is not intended to promote...

Who has not dreamt of that nobly shaped chalice, enameled all over with immaculate transparents... maybe just one fine gold...

This article is a set of predictions for what the jewelers bench and workshop will experience in technological change in...

Casting shibuichi in the traditional japanese way on canvas in water.

A Legacy in American Metalworking It was 9:00 in the morning in Lawrence, Kansas and Carlye Smith was heading for...

At a time when the country is still reeling from the vogue for Indian jewelry displayed around the necks of...

Among the most distinguished known surviving pieces of New Orleans-made silver is this tureen made by Adolphe Himmel. With its...

Granulation, a process dating back a lot longer than I can remember, is clearly one of jewelry histories most prominent...

Today's record metals prices have probably encouraged you to be more diligent than ever about capturing every last bit of...

A Beads Baubles and Jewels project. Create a piece of history! The Greeks and Romans invented the first safety pin...

There is something of the alchemist's magic in Pat Flynn. Like those artful wizards of long ago, he changes common...

Susan Kingsley's work has involved a long, determined struggle with the role of a woman artist in the field of...

Melissa Muir demonstrates and discusses how to properly anneal metal with a torch

A Beads Baubles and Jewels project. Learn an old technique to create a contemporary look! Make a beautiful chain made...

A Beads Baubles and Jewels project. Are you ready to try an innovative, new technique created by Jack Berry that...

Jonathan Bonner is a pleasant young man with a quick smile and an easygoing manner. If you saw him in...

One can get tired of it all and want to be entertained, but the media outlets for distraction can look...

Video showing how the casting process is made.

Smelting iron from ore by a smith family in West Africa. The only complete, high quality video of iron smelting...

A Beads Baubles and Jewels project. With your Swanstrom disc cutter, a mallet and a ring mandrel, you can create...

The latest in "Daniel And Roberts' Demonstration Series" is a two part video. Part one is the preparation and acid...

About five years ago, Robert Fairbank, John Reynolds and I created a "living entity" called Goldsmiths 3 in Concord, Massachusetts....

Master jeweler Jay Whaley demonstrates proper technique to prepare and pour an ingot. For more information: http://WhaleyWorkshops.com

This segment from the 2017 MJSA Journal November issue is dedicated to metals, tools, software and more that aids jewelers...

Beautiful collection of Sterling silver bracelets. necklaces and rings by Janina. Made in Denmark

Alloying your own gold and silver is explained in detail.

The core of life's work in fine artisanry is the unfolding of a personal style within the cultural milieu of...

This video illustrates a simplified method for safely and accurately pouring molten metal into an ingot mold. The tool was...

this is a video featuring the fold forming process with Large Scaled non ferrous elements. THIS is my first video...

Pursuit Of Purple Gold Jewelry

how to make your own solder

Martha Glowacki's works are sculptural abstractions on the theme of landscape. They demonstrate her interest in the imposition of order...

While researching ancient design I have been fascinated with basic shapes from the Paleolithic, Neolithic, ancient Celts, pictographs and petroglyphs....

Pursuit Of Purple Gold Jewelry

Second Annual Jewelry/Metals Symposium Seattle, Washington Seattle was recently the host as well as the delighted recipient of the second...

Putting a spin on tradition, Alexandra Hart of Alexandra Hart in San Diego crafted Broollopskronan, or Bridal Crown, a regal...

Tips for recovering precious metal particles Most jewelers know how to handle their precious metal scraps: they separate their scraps...

The latest in "Daniel And Roberts' Demonstration Series" is a two part video. Part one is the preparation and acid...

This entry marks the beginning of a new, regular column in Metalsmith. It will deal with technical concerns of interest...

Behold the metals supplier, lord of all things shiny. He fills your crucible with casting grain and makes sure youre...

Bill Seeley is an independent metalsmith with an M.F.A. from the University of Kansas in metals, particularly titanium. He is...

It is also vital to know the basic forms of semi-fabricated Platinum product that are generally available and how to...

I stood on Kawaramachi Street in downtown Kyoto. Kyoto, capital of Japan, home of the emperor from 794 to 1868,...

It seems like it was over a year ago, but in fact, The Arsenal Metals & Enamels Exhibition debuted this...

These step-by-step instruction manual guides the process (see procedure for making the class ring). With a core product to produce,...

www.jewelryarts.com How to alloy 22k gold.

One fine day at Fine Gold in Ontario, CA, Daniel Ballard (PMWest) and Jurgen Maerz (Dir technical education- Platinum Guild)...

Welcome to Stacey Rhodes Jewelry Designs, where we will detail all of the steps involved in adding a new piece...

One fine day at Fine Gold in Ontario, CA, Daniel Ballard (PMWest) and Jurgen Maerz (Dir technical education- Platinum Guild)...

Pursuit Of Purple Gold Jewelry

Watch this short video from www.mastered.co and learn how to make a silver metal clay pendant. The full course is...

Spinning a silver chalice base. Ditchling, East Sussex

A Beads Baubles and Jewels project. Expand your jewelry-making skills and give your pieces stunning dimension with the Rueger Fold...