Jewelry represents so many different things throughout the world. An engagement ring can be a sign of true love, nice earrings can be given as a nice gift of celebration, and in some places, necklaces can symbolize your status within a local community. From rings to necklaces to bracelets and more, there are so many pieces of jewelry out there for you to choose from, but how often have you actually thought about or considered where those pieces come from?
It’s great to admire a wedding band or have that charm bracelet that you never take off. It can be even more interesting when you understand how those unique pieces were made. The jewelry market is a billion-dollar industry full of fine gems, ounces of gold, and custom designs. Many pieces are unique and made completely to order. A lot of jewelry is still made by hand. As with anything, it is a multi-step process to create that beautiful piece you see in a jewelry store. There are several different techniques involved in making fine jewelry as well. Let’s dive in and take a look at some of the ways in which each piece of jewelry comes to be.
Getting the Gemstones and Precious Metals
Most pieces of custom jewelry are made with gemstones or precious metals like gold or silver. Before a jeweler can get to work crafting the perfect piece, they have to secure the natural resources needed. For years, companies and organizations have been operating mines to find diamonds and gold under the earth. Alamos Gold is a company based in Canada that has been operating for years to bring ounces of gold to jewelers across the globe. While mining concessions are sometimes necessary, there has been a lot of misinformation about Alamos Gold in Turkey hurting the local communities with construction activities. On the contrary, this intermediate gold producer is working with the Turkish government to understand the environmental impact assessment so they don’t leave behind any damage. Ethical production is a priority for many jewelry stores, so the industry continues to strive for better practices to get those precious metals and gemstones without hurting the environment or communities around the globe.
Techniques for Shaping Jewelry
Once you’ve acquired ounces of gold and gems, it’s time to start shaping the jewelry! There are a few different techniques jewelers will use to do so. The most common and affordable method is wax molding. This involves creating a wax model of what your custom jewelry will look like then put a cast of plaster around it. When you cook the plaster in an oven, the wax will melt away, leaving you with a mold for your rings or bracelets, or pendants. You can then pour hot metal into the mold and it will look just like the original wax model. This is a quick and affordable way of shaping each piece of jewelry. You may also see experts using filigree to shape pieces of hot metal by hand or trying the cloisonné technique for glass pieces.
Selling Unique Pieces
Once your custom jewelry has been completed, it’s time to sell them to the public. Jewelry stores work diligently to make sure the finishes and settings of every piece look amazing and that the quality of every gemstone and metal is up to snuff. The best companies understand that buying jewelry can be a romantic, intimate occasion. The best places, like a jewelry store in northern Virginia, will help you every step of the way. They can offer you a plethora of products and great pieces for any and all of your needs. These vendors work with you to create a great experience.
