In 1986, when Ricardo Basta Eichberg decided to begin casting platinum, he tried to learn all he could about the white metal and its properties-and quickly came up empty. (more…)

By casting diamond jewelry with stones already set, US manufacturers save not only time and money but also sales.

No one bothered to tell department store quality inspector Bill Hoefer about the secret new weapon that American jewelry makers are counting on to stem the tide of business lost to Asia. He just stumbled on its existence by accident. (more…)

Is model-making in the jewelry industry a vanishing art or an emerging science ? The answer varies depending on which industry segment you explore. The rapid development of technology to handle many parts of tool and die creation has, in many cases, replaced skilled toolmakers and modelmakers with trained technicians operating complex machinery . (more…)

Today, High-qulaity, pre-alloyed casting grain is available in various karats and colors to satisfy jewelers’ investment casting needs. Color variation is quite simply a function of chemical composition where the relative contents of silver and copper play a major role in determining not only the color of the alloy, but also other characteristics such as strength and hardness. Alloy chemistries are formulated primarily for the purpose of attaining a desired color. (more…)

Many jewelers call with questions regarding their casting problems. In this article I will address the most common casting problems and offer solutions to resolve common casting errors. (more…)

This project requires some knowledge of the casting process and also access to casting equipment. I wouldn’t recommend going to the expense of buying all the equipment until you know this is a process you enjoy and want to continue to explore.
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In an age where productivity and consistency can determine whether a jewelry piece is profitable or not, many manufacturers are discovering a technique first explored during the rubber shortages of world war 2 - the use of metal instead of rubber to create molds. (more…)

Knowing how to cast jewelry properly demonstrates another aspect of quality in your shop.

Porosity. It’s an ugly word for bench jewelers and can be expensive for store owners and customers. Just close your eyes and picture a block of baby Swiss cheese. (more…)

Bi-Metal Casting allows manufacturers to join two metals in almost any desired shape-without visible seams. (more…)

From design to final finish, the art of casting platinum requires patience, preparation, and many modifications. (more…)