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Metal jewelry making encompasses a wide variety of techniques, and projects can range from cutting and manipulating metal into a pendant, casting a silver or gold setting for a semiprecious stone ring, crafting a necklace from fused links of fine silver or creating colorful enameled earrings.
Typical costs: | - Costs start around $100-$250 and up for basic jewelry-making tools, which can include a tool or tackle box, specialized saws and files, various vises, a soldering kit, a pinpoint torch tip, and more. Ameritool[1] offers a silver and gold artists gift basket for $60-$110, depending on what's included; Contenti[2] sells a basic tool kit for around $200.
- For individual projects, the cost of silver, gold or semi-precious stones varies considerably, depending on size, quantity, quality and market factors (the price of silver and gold can fluctuate). A large pedant might require $30-$50 worth of silver; making the same piece in gold might cost $700-$800 or more.
- Typically this isn't a self-taught hobby. Often the best way to start is with an introductory class that lets you get your hands on the metal and tools without a big investment. You can find out if this is the hobby for you, and exactly what sort of tools you need. Classes are offered by jewelry studios, art stores, adult education programs, art schools, lapidary and silversmith clubs, and more; registration fees can run $20-$350 or more depending on the number of hours in the class, the supplies and equipment provided, and other factors. Most beginning classes have a list of basic tools that you'll need to buy in addition to the registration fee.
- Once you've tried out the basic techniques in a class, How-to books[3] and DVDs[4] average $15-$45; many may be available from your local library. Commonly recommended books include Jewelry: Fundamentals of Metalsmithing by Tim McCreight ($29.99) and the Encyclopedia of Jewelry-Making Techniques[5] by Jinks McGrath ($27.95).
Related articles: Metal Clay Jewelry, Polymer Clay Jewelry, Beadwork
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What should be included: | - Making metal jewelry requires skills in sawing, filing, hammering, soldering and more. In cast jewelry, liquid metal is poured into a mold containing a wax model of the desired piece; the wax metals away and the metal takes its shape. JCRS.com describes standard methods of jewelry construction[6] and ExpertVillage.com provides videos demonstrating basic jewelry making techniques[7] .
Shopping for metalsmith jewelry: | - The Lapidary Journal[8] lists schools and workshops by state[9] . Metalcyberspace.com also posts metalsmithing and jewelry design schools[10] as well as workshops and classes[11] .
- manufacturer Rio Grande is the largest supplier to the jewelry industry[12] ; other suppliers include Ameritool[13] , Contenti[14] , JewelrySupply.com[15] and Rosemount Tools[16] .
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External Resources: | - www.ameritool-inc.com/store/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=157
- www.contenti.com/products/tool-kits/456-131.html
- www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/105-9406440-7734813?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-key...
- www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/105-3124886-3410828?url=search-alias%3Ddvd&field-key...
- www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Jewelry-Making-Techniques-Comprehensive-Contemporary/d...
- www.jcrs.com/JCRS_for_consumers/jewelry_information/precious_metals/workmanship.htm
- www.ehow.com/videos-on_5073_make-own-jewelry.html
- www.jewelrymakingdaily.com/blogs/jewelryartistmagazine/default.aspx
- www.jewelrymakingdaily.com/blogs/jewelryartistmagazine/default.aspx/archive/school...
- www.metalcyberspace.com/schools.htm
- www.metalcyberspace.com/workshop.htm
- www.riogrande.com/Home
- www.ameritool-inc.com/
- www.contenti.com/
- www.jewelrysupply.com/
- www.rosemount-tools.com/catalogue.php
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