Casting
Lost wax, molds, crucibles and all casting methods.
17 entries
Tools
Basic tools used in casting
The most common tools used in jewelry casting. They can vary depending on the type of jewel and the technique used by the jeweler.
Techniques
Casting
Casting melts metal and pours it into a mold to make jewelry with fine detail. Types of casting, basic tools, materials and the history of the technique.
Tools
Casting crucibles: types, uses and care
The crucible is the heat-resistant vessel where metal is melted; types (graphite, ceramic, silicon carbide), how to choose one and how to care for it.
Tools
Casting molds: investment, rubber, silicone and sand
Casting molds shape metal: investment molds for lost-wax casting, rubber and silicone molds for wax and resin, and sand or graphite molds.
Techniques
Casting organic materials (burnout)
In organic-material casting, a leaf, twig or flower is burned out inside the mold and replaced by metal, keeping its natural texture.
Techniques
Centrifugal casting
Centrifugal casting throws molten metal into the mold with the force of a spinning arm; it is the usual way to cast lost-wax jewelry.
Techniques
Clay casting
A process that uses refractory clay to make molds for casting precious metals such as gold and silver and producing jewelry.
Tools
Crucible tongs: what they are for and how to use them
Crucible tongs grip the hot crucible to pour molten metal; types, how to choose them and safety rules.
Techniques
Cuttlebone casting
Cuttlebone casting carves a two-part mold in this soft material to cast simple silver pieces, with a characteristic texture.
Tools
Graphite ingot molds and rods in casting
Graphite is used in jewelry for ingot molds, stirring rods for molten metal and soldering blocks, because it resists heat and molten metal does not stick to it.
Techniques
Lost-wax casting
Lost-wax casting turns a wax model into metal. See the 8-step process illustrated, materials, advantages, casting defects and answers to common questions.
Tools
Metal ingots and casting grain
Ingots and casting grain are the starting metal in casting; how to calculate the amount of metal for a piece and which alloys are used.
Tools
Protective equipment for casting
Safety equipment for melting metal in jewelry: heat-resistant gloves, glasses or face shield, natural-fiber apron, closed shoes, ventilation and a fire extinguisher.
Materials
Refractory investment for casting
Investment is a refractory plaster with silica that surrounds the wax model and withstands the heat of molten metal; it is mixed with water, vacuumed and burned out.
Techniques
Rubber molds and wax injection
A vulcanized rubber or silicone mold produces many wax copies of a master piece, the basis of serial production of cast jewelry.
Techniques
Sand casting
Sand casting pours molten metal into a compacted sand mold. Steps, materials, advantages and differences from lost-wax casting.
Techniques
Vacuum casting
Vacuum casting draws molten metal into the mold with a pump; it reduces porosity and reproduces very fine detail.