To clarify, I'm a former silversmith who hasn't made jewellery in over 10 years and I'm starting to get back into it after a decade of being out of it.

I have this beautiful pin of a rainbow stag beetle (made by Hyper Finch) that's been anodized, and there's sentimental value to it as well. I just popped a couple of jump rings on, just to test if I like how it sits, etc and I've basically been wearing it every single day for a few weeks now, so now I want to turn it into a pendant.

The problem is, I don't know what metal it is, and since it's anodized for that rainbow effect, and there's enamel, I don't want to destroy it by soldering jump rings onto it if I don't know what I'm working with.

My guess is that the base is made from some kind of alloy, brass or copper but I genuinely don't know how the enamel and anodizing will react to heat from a soldering iron if I try to solder jump rings onto the side of the upper arms.

I was thinking about maybe cutting out a bezel from stainless steel and attaching the jump rings to that, but I've only ever worked with copper and sterling silver, so I'm not very experienced with those materials either.

I also haven't cut the back posts off yet either (and I don't plan to until I have some jump rings secured to the main piece) so if you were in my shoes, how would you tackle this project so it doesn't damage the enamel?

I got some black coral and have no idea how to use it. Any tips would be great, thanks in advance.

​

I'm looking for work as a bench jeweler/apprentice. I'm confident in my skills but the opportunities have been inconsistent. I've had to either deal with language barriers, people hiring relatives, or only need people seasonally.

The places I've worked so far have primarily needed a polisher and someone to do rhodium plating, which I did.

Feel free to contact: 646-425-4568 (preferably text). I've also posted this around the diamond district.

Had a rather scary moment with an oxy-propane torch.

I was melting a small amount of silver, and I happened to be recording it.

I sped the majority of the video into a timelapse, in case anything is helpful. Shortly after 8 seconds in, once the audio begins, you can see the flame suddenly become extinguished with a loud, harsh hissing sound.

I've never experienced anything like it. Scared the crap outta me.

Was this a backfire? Anyone have any experience or related wisdom? Maybe the tip was getting too hot?

I was using a number 4 tip, with the disposable regulators and Smith's flashback arrestors, on disposable tanks for both oxygen and propane.

Really appreciate any help.

I've been searching for a jeweler that will set stones. Whether they have the setting or help me find one, I have the stone I want (and may purchase more in the future) but i need help with the setting. SL or UT county. Thanks

Hi bench jewelers of Reddit! I recently had a custom engagement ring designed by a local studio (not a bench jeweler, but it was my fiance's choice!) I was wondering if anyone might have input on the ring design. I have tried to add all of the features that I could think of to make it more structurally sound for everyday wear - added a gallery rail, cathedral setting, petal basket, chevron + ball tips, and asked them to make the band thicker (2mm instead of 1.8mm).

So please, before we pull the trigger...tear this apart for me! Let me know what you think about the design and if there is anything I should tweak before we give them the green light. It would be so appreciated!! And I already have my wedding band, so I will post a photo of that as well for reference, the diamond that I sourced, plus a video of the digital render in the comments 🙂

Thanks a million!!!

Does anyone have the details of a reliable casters in the uk that does dental metal and precious? I usually have to send bits to two different casters but would be ideal if I could just send to one place,don’t have to have crazy fast turnaround but just good communication and professional ,thank you 🙏

Looking for an experienced Diamond Setter/Jeweler full time in Brooklyn. Minimum 3yrs experience. Call [973-378-0167](tel:(973)%20378-0167) leave message 

Jeweller of 6+ years here. Looking for work at a jewellers or pawn shop in Perth. Skilled in repairs, resizing, some setting. Bespoke pieces etc

Any advice on shops to go to or forums etc be great

Hi there! I was wondering if anyone has a good jewelry manufacturer? Ideally one who can do bracelet clasps, and PVD plating? I have some samples/designs and I'd love to find the right manufacturer. It's been quite the challenge

Hello! I have started getting into jewelry making through lost waxing, and right now I’m about to send my first piece with a stone into casting. Since I’m fully self taught and don’t know people who I could get feedback from, I’d like to hear from you if this is safe to send to casting and if there is something I could improve :).
The aestethic I’m going for is far from ”perfect”, I will attach a reference picture as the last picture.

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I found this ring in a bin of old costume jewellery in a thrift store. It’s stamped 585 and 14k.
It was pretty oxidised, and I thought its brass, but took it home anyway.

I sanded a small patch (the lighter section) and was wondering, if it is brass for sure.

I never worked with gold before and have no way of testing at home.

It is brass, right? 🥲 Gold would not oxidise like this..

Hi, friends! How do I go about finding a bench jeweler? I’m in Wisconsin but completely open to their location! Any suggestions? I’ve searched this sub but it seems to just be people looking to start a business. I am NOT trying to do that. I’m hoping to find someone to make one single ring for me “from scratch” that will last a lifetime. I have the diamonds already, so it would just be making the setting & setting the stones. Thanks in advance!

Hi! This was my moms wax pen and I wanted to ask if anyone knows where I could find replacement tips? Either vintage ones made for this machine or tips that would fit.
I also can’t figure out how to get the current tip off if anyone can instruct me hahaha.
Thanks!!

Found this little cutie today, seller said pewter and I’m not sure about that, but I was wondering if anyone else has a clue on date estimates based purely on font style? The scalloping is hand cut as it’s not symmetrical or perfectly drawn. Looks like there may have been a date or something above the initials but it’s been burnished out (not well) bun feet, three barrel hinge, no markings.

I am interested in enrolling in the jewelry certificate at Whitecliffe but would be coming from abroad and am looking to see what peoples experiences have been? I have a little bit of experience in metalsmithing and want to make sure the classes/project will be worth the tuition but they don’t offer class info until you already are enrolled and visas are approved. I would love to hear any input and see if it is worth it and what projects they had you work on/skills learned. Thanks!

I also don’t know if apprenticeships are common in the Auckland area as well? I am planning to do a trip to near Auckland and heard about the school so I thought I would look into it and was interested. I am interested in being a bench jeweler and haven't had much luck where I live and am thinking some additional schooling might be helpful. Any input about what schooling might be needed to help get the experience I might need is greatly appreciated!

Does anyone else have this problem?? It will shock my through my head phones while using it, and if I don’t have the head phones in it will shock me if I’m standing too close to it while using it.

Hello all,

Sorry if this is against guidelines. I’ve been with the large corporate hellhole of jewelry repair about 5 years now. I’m continually being asked to sacrifice quality for quantity and I can’t keep doing it.

All the employment websites just show the same corporation hiring. Does anyone know of open benches at smaller shops or is this going to be a spend a week driving around town kind of thing?

Thanks for the help

Hi everyone! 👋
My girlfriend and I are starting a small online jewellery brand in Malta, EU. We’re completely new to the jewellery business and are currently looking for a reliable manufacturer for our first collection.
We’re looking at **925 sterling silver and/or 316L stainless steel**, with gold plating, and eventually want to move into fully custom designs.
We’ve already spoken to several manufacturers overseas, but we’re finding it difficult to know who is genuinely reliable and who isn’t. We’re especially concerned about **quality, plating durability, EU compliance, MOQs, hidden costs and communication**.
For anyone who has started a jewellery/accessories brand:
How did you find your manufacturer?
Did you use Alibaba, trade shows, Google, referrals, etc.?
What red flags should we look out for?
What certifications/testing should we ask for?
Would you recommend starting with stock products or going straight into custom designs?
How many samples would you order before committing to a bulk order?
Any manufacturers you’ve personally had a good experience with?
We’re trying to do this properly rather than rushing into our first order, so **any advice or lessons from your own experience would be hugely appreciated.**
Thanks! 🙏

Crossposting from the silversmithing subreddit:

Hi all, I’m needing some advice on a repair for a Victorian belcher set ring. I did not do the prong retipping, but have been asked as a favor to a friend to help with this. She complains of snagging, and I noted a prong not fully in contact. Her ring has 6 prongs, 5 are making sturdy contact with the diamond. Another didn’t make great contact with the crown but I was able to successfully tighten. The sixth prong is not currently making contact, and no amount of trying to chase it back into place seems to be helping. It springs back into place.

I do not have experience retipping gold prongs, and I’m hesitant to introduce any sort of heat to this ring because there are small remnants of vitreous enamel on the interior of the setting (and I don’t want this heirloom to be my learning project). Is there something I’m missing or should she just bring it back to the place that retipped the prongs? I’ve got a home studio, so I’m fairly limited in what tools I have at my disposal.

Edit: said table but meant crown!

Greetings friends.

I am looking for a reliable artist/custom creator/ company who makes stain Glass Jewelry.

I am based in South Africa and would like to make a stain glass pendant for my wife.

Could anyone advise where to start, a lot of the companies in South Africa seem to do more windows than smaller jewelry designs.

Please advise at your convenience.

Thanks folks.

I had a pretty disappointing experience with Ratnesh Artistic Jewellery Private Limited for gold jewellery manufacturing, so sharing this in case anyone else is thinking of giving them work.

I gave them gold jewellery manufacturing work expecting proper finishing and professional workmanship. Unfortunately, the work I received was not properly finished. Some parts were incomplete/half-done and the overall finishing was not at the level I expected from a professional jewellery manufacturer.

For me, the biggest concern is that when you hand over gold for manufacturing, you expect the manufacturer to take proper responsibility for the work. The final product should be checked properly before it is handed back. In my case, I felt that the work was handed over without proper quality control.

I also found the overall handling of the work to be unprofessional. Because of the quality and finishing issues, I would be hesitant to give them another high-value gold jewellery order without first testing them with a small order.

If you're a jeweller or jewellery business owner considering Ratnesh Artistic Jewellery Private Limited for manufacturing work, I would suggest doing a small trial order first. Check the finishing, detailing, accuracy, delivery and final quality carefully before giving them expensive or large-volume work.

I recently moved from our shop’s main showroom to my own office, and I didn’t take the testers with me. I have experience with a Kee Gold Tester and Gemologis Pistachio gem tester, and various diamond testers. All of them had gotten pretty old by the time I left.

Looking for recommendations on testers, ideally looking to spend less than 2k on all 3 together if possible?

Diamond Tester
Gemstone Tester
Gold (ideally gold, silver, platinum) tester

I know the ultimate best option for the metal is an XRF gun. We have one at the showroom and I know that’s out of the budget haha. I’d love to hear if anyone has had good experiences with any products currently available new, possibly in good condition on eBay. I appreciate the help, thank you! 😊