Jewellery Making

Jewellery making is decorative art. Jewellery is usually made of metals these days. And there are many types of jewellery available like necklaces, bangles, amulets, tiaras, rings, brooches, studs etc. Jewellery is made by goldsmiths and such other master craftsmen like silversmiths, gemologists, diamond cutters etc. and the prize of jewellery is decided by its aesthetic value and the value of the material used like gold, silver, semi-precious or precious stones etc.

Jewellery is generally made by casting, cutting, welding or soldering and cold –joining (assembling the jewellery with parts). The decorative work is done by techniques like embossing, enamelling, engraving etc.

• Embossing – a process used to make raised or sunken designs in a metal sheet. Repousse and (for raised designs), Chasing (for sunken designs) are the different techniques used in it.
• Enamelling – a traditional method of coating the metal with enamel. Enamel is a material made with molten glass which is transformed into a coating. Colours are brought into it by mixing it with metal oxides like cobalt, iron, neodymium etc. Champleve (raised enamelling), Cloissone, Basse – Taille, Plique-a –jour etc. are the different kinds of enamelling techniques.

First, a wax carving of the model of the jewellery is made. Wax is heated to make it liquid and then poured into the mould. Using hand tools, the artisan then carves the mould into the desired design or shape. The wax carving is then embedded in a metal mould and hardened. The hardened mould is then heated in high temperature so that the wax is burned away. The mould then undergoes a casting process.

According to the purity required, the goldsmith pours the casted gold into the mould to create the required shape. Welding the jewellery is a process wherein the piece is fused with small particles using high temperatures; only after which the jewellery can be worn. Unique or complicated designs of jewellery may need soldering.

Soldering is a beautiful art in which the artisan fixes smaller particles like stones onto the jewellery, which makes it perfect. Polishing is then done by quality control experts, which is almost the last part of jewellery making. The new technology called CAD (Computer-Aided Design) makes the professionals design and customize each particle or piece of jewellery much more easily.

Jewellery making is a creative art, and each piece of jewellery varies by its uniqueness and beauty. The art undoubtedly requires immense commitment, loyalty and skill.