anyone do metalsmith jewelry?

[metalterp]

Is there anyone on this forum who do small metal jewelry forming and construction?

[neksmerj]

Have done in the past. A few years back, I made a white gold engagement ring from scratch. Bought the gold from a gold dealer in Melbourne, and the solitaire diamond from a diamond dealer.

Not knowing quite where to start, I enrolled at Collingwood tech for a 6 month silver smith course. This was of great benefit in learning the skills of rolling, drawing, welding and polishing.

The only thing I was not confident with, was setting the diamond. I left that up to the instructor.

Other items I've made pendants machined out of brass bar with the centre machined out, and a coin press fitted into the recess. The pendant was topped off with a screwed in fitting, cross drilled for a ring and chain. All good fun working in miniature.

Ken

[lightwood]

Is there anyone on this forum who do small metal jewelry forming and construction?
certainly do...
Peter McBride Goldsmith - Jeweller (http://www.petermcbride.com/)

Regards,
Peter

[metalterp]

Have you done any wood carving to bezel? I am needing guidance on which burrs to use on small pieces of hardwoods. thx!:wink:

[lightwood]

Have you done any wood carving to bezel? I am needing guidance on which burrs to use on small pieces of hardwoods. thx!:wink:
I use the Busch (http://www.pfingstco.com/jewelry.htm) brand of burs. They are available in a huge range of shapes. I use whichever one gives me the result I want in the cut, and removes material that I want gone. Often the shape of the bur will guide the cut, like when I bury the cylinder shape in the material, and drag it backwards to get a trench...or I use the shank of the bur as a depth stop.


Regards,
Peter