| ng Jewelry is an ancient skill that has been around | | | | molds used for casting jewelry allow a great |
| for as long as there has been jewelry in the | | | | amount of detail. When the mold is finished, you |
| world. The Ancient Egyptians are usually credited | | | | are going to fill it with wax to create a wax copy |
| with perfecting the process but casting jewelry | | | | which will then be coated with sand and silica. This |
| was also practiced by meso American societies | | | | ceramic shell will then be heated so that the wax |
| and cultures located in Asia and the Middle East. | | | | is melted out. The wax can be reused so make |
| The casting process is called Lost-wax and is still | | | | sure to safely collect it during this step. The |
| very popular with craftsmen who enjoy making | | | | ceramic copy will be hollow and you will have to |
| hand made jewelry. | | | | test it for holes before pouring the molten metal. |
| By the name of the process, one can guess that | | | | Afterwards, you will lightly hammer the ceramic |
| wax is involved of which will be lost. While the | | | | shell away to reveal the finished product. |
| Lost-wax process is mainly used for the casting | | | | The end result of the Lost-wax process is usually |
| of rings and bracelets, other items such as | | | | very detailed and exact creating a beautiful piece. |
| sculptures can also be created. Investment | | | | Casting jewelry can be a profitable business |
| casting is another name of this casting jewelry | | | | depending upon your skill level and creativity. This |
| method and both are acceptable terms it just | | | | skill is diminishing as the jewelry companies switch |
| depends on the speaker's preference. | | | | to computerized and automatic means of creating |
| The Lost-wax casting process has many benefits. | | | | their pieces. While this move is smart for the |
| When making jewelry this way, the caster will be | | | | jewelry business as it reduces the production |
| able to make identical pieces quickly and efficiently. | | | | cost, the end result lacks a certain desirable |
| There are several companies and individuals willing | | | | element that hand made jewelry posses. |
| to cast the piece for you for a price. Many of | | | | Casters will be able to use the mold created |
| these companies may overcharge, the cost of | | | | during the Lost-wax process a few times before |
| commerce, so if you have the resources and | | | | a new mold has to be made. Extra care and |
| ability you might be better of casting your own | | | | attention has to be paid to polishing any |
| jewelry. | | | | imperfections or patching any variants during the |
| Lost-wax casting involves a number of steps. If | | | | casting process. Several things can go wrong |
| followed properly and with precision the artist will | | | | during casting especially when you remove the |
| find the process enjoyable. Before you begin, you | | | | mold so take care to be extra careful and |
| will need to come up with an idea for the piece of | | | | attentive during this time. |
| jewelry. Generally, the sculpture of the piece is | | | | Casting jewelry is a valuable skill to master and if |
| created using wax though some prefer having a | | | | you plan on making any money from your home |
| metal master copy in case of mistakes. You are | | | | foundry, this is a good place to start. |
| going to create the mold using the original. The | | | | |