The next step in the fashion jewelry manufacturing process is the “hot lost wax” injection casting.  Let’s use a ladies ring for example.  The injection  person is given a “line” production order for this new ring style of 50 each of sizes 6,7,8,9,10 and 11.  This is the first indication this ring will be made for a wholesale jewelry buyer, for resale to the retail jewelry clientele.  This specialist will create 300 actual wax castings that will very carefully be affixed to the “limbs or arms” of a casting tree.

A special cylinder is then carefully fitted onto the base and a powdery type substance is poured into the cylinder through the open top.  The substance must cover every space within these walls to avoid defects.  A special fitted cover is then tightly sealed and this entire unit is placed into a very hot oven.  The heat will make the powdery material harden, and melt all the wax rings.  The wax exits from the cylinder – hence the name – Lost Wax Casting.   The cylinder is then filled with whatever liquefied metal the ring is to be made from such as  gold, silver, bronze, brass.  When the cylinder is opened up completely, all the rings will be carefully removed from the “arms” by cutting a thin rod called a “sprew” that has attached each ring to the cylinder.

Now begins the preparation of the all the surfaces of the ring.  Companies similar to the Shavonne Corporation realize each step is of the utmost importance to create the finest quality.  The “sprew” is now very carefully removed as to leave no uneven areas on the shank of the ring.  Utilizing all  the methods chosen to maximize the finished beauty for this particular ring style is a many step process.  Initially it may require the use of the “barrel tumbling” machine to remove rough areas of any kind.  Then the rings are further machine polished in a large “vibratory” machine.

Both these machines will contain special solutions to utilize materials called “media.”  Each of these processes are managed by carefully trained technicians.  When the final machine inspection is completed successfully, the rings will pass to the hand polishers.  That’s right, hand polishers.  Even after all these years, the hand craftsperson still is vital for that incredibly beautiful ring eventually you will see.  Next we will investigate electroplating, usually referred to simply as plating. This is the final key to success as you will see.

Tags: casting, fashion jewelry, Jewelry Manufacturing, lost wax

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008 at 3:59 pm and is filed under Jewelry Manufacturing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.