TruPd™ is the inexpensive option to Platinum and the superior product to White Gold that jewelers have been waiting for. It is suitable for all general fabrication techniques, and can withstand high levels of deformation between anneals. TruPd™ is Pure, White, Precious and Strong.

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Beginner to intermediate glass bead making project

In the summer of 1978 at 32 years old with 3 children and one on the way, I knew my future included a nursing career and a larger house with a big yard. (more…)

Numerous skilled lapidaries have made gemstone butterflies. I remember George Gali’s bright gem butterflies featured at his many show booths, each delicately perched on an attractive mineral base. I also recall the butterfly pins and pendants of Ray Karr. I once saw a collection of gem butterflies at a California show that looked so real that I wondered how the artists ever got the case closed. (more…)

Intermediate project.
Editor’s note: Kate Drew-Wilkinson is featured on page 38 of the December 2000 LJ; see “Sense of Drama.”

Some of you may have seen my tide pool beads made with Spectrum flat glass remnants. The beads are layered with many kinds of latticcino - essentially, rods of different colors (more…)

For this project, use unfinished or bleached wood beads in you favorite shape or size. You do not want any stain or varnish on the beads you are going to paint. (more…)

This bracelet and earring set was designed by Leah Levin, one of the designers at my company, Nina Designs. The original was made in garnet, but you can substitute any gemstone beads you like. Amethyst, onyx, and labradorite are good alternatives. (more…)

Before embarking on this project, let me give you a little background on the evolution of this design. I originally used the forging hammer (necessary for this project) at the beginning stage of forging spoons. When I first began creating jewelry for my livelihood, I wondered how else these hammers could be used. (more…)

Think: phyllo dough.
That’s how Minneapolis-based designer George Sawyer describes mokume gane to prospective buyers. Think of it as pastry, he tells them, thin layers of metal of various types, colors, and karats, laminated together and then folded again and again to form patterns resembling wood grain. Sawyer provides the pastry analogy so that buyers might better understand that what they are considering is something truly special. It is Lesson One in educating the consumer-the first in a series of instruction he imparts again and again.
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By applying patinas, designers can bring new textures to their work - and add a few surprises. (more…)

Jewelers of America Inc.
Innovations for Working Bench Jewelers from JA Certified Master Bench Jewelers
By MARK B. MANN, DIRECTOR OF PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION, JEWELERS OF AMERICA

Taking five minutes to make three simple alterations to a pair of standard pliers can save hours of precious work time at the bench as well as increase the precision of your work. JA(r) Certified Master Bench Jeweler(tm) Jeffrey Mathews of Jeffrey Mathews Designs in Dallas, Texas, has fabricated hundreds of three-stone rings-from scratch-using these altered pliers. (more…)