# Wax carving and modeling

> The wax model is the origin of most cast jewelry: hard and soft waxes, carving tools, adding wax and preparing the casting tree.

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/wax-carving-and-modeling/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-07-01
- Updated: 2026-07-01
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/modelado-y-talla-en-cera/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

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Almost every cast piece of jewelry begins as a piece of wax. It is carved, cleaned and refined until it is identical to the final jewel.

![Steps of the technique: Choose the wax, Draw, Carve, Model, Polish, Weigh and sprue](https://www.711grados.com/media/diagrams/cera-steps.en.svg "Summary of the steps")

## Types of wax

- **Hard (carving) wax:** cut with files, saws and burs.
- **Soft and modeling wax:** heated and shaped with spatulas.
- **Tubes and bars:** for rings and basic forms.

## How it is worked

The design is marked, the block cut and filed, and wax is added with a heated [spatula](https://www.711grados.com/en/spatulas-and-chisels/). The wax is weighed to calculate the metal needed.

## Preparing the casting

Sprues are attached to the model and mounted on a tree that goes into the casting flask.

## Alternatives

Models can also be 3D printed or CNC milled ([3D printing](https://www.711grados.com/en/3d-printing-in-jewelry/)).

## Step by step

1. **Choose the wax.** Hard to carve, soft to model.
2. **Draw.** Mark the shape on the block.
3. **Carve.** With saw, files and blades.
4. **Model.** Add detail with a hot spatula.
5. **Polish.** Smooth with nylon or stockings.
6. **Weigh and sprue.** Calculate the metal needed.

## Tools and materials

- Jewelry waxes (tubes, blocks, sheets)
- [Spatulas](https://www.711grados.com/en/spatulas-and-chisels/) and small burs
- Wax file and saw
- Scale ([scale](https://www.711grados.com/en/jewelers-scale-and-caliper/))

## Common mistakes

- Very thin walls: the metal will not fill.
- Model with cracks.
- Forgetting sprues or placing them badly.
- Overheating the spatula.

## See also

- [Lost-wax casting](https://www.711grados.com/en/lost-wax-casting/)
- [Jewelry spatulas and chisels](https://www.711grados.com/en/spatulas-and-chisels/)
- [Rubber molds and wax injection](https://www.711grados.com/en/rubber-molds-and-wax-injection/)
- [3D printing in jewelry](https://www.711grados.com/en/3d-printing-in-jewelry/)