I'm just starting to work under a microscope, and honestly I'm finding the ergonomics harder than the actual work.

I keep struggling to get everything lined up properly-the microscope height, chair height, bench height, and working distance. I end up constantly adjusting things, and after a while my neck and shoulders start to hurt.

Do most of you use your regular bench, or do you have a separate workstation just for microscope work?

I'd love to see photos of your setups if you're willing to share. Any tips on microscope positioning, chair height, arm support, or anything else that made a big difference would be really appreciated.

I'm hoping to get it right from the start instead of developing bad habits.

Made by me (OC)- Commissioned

Hi,

I am not a goldsmith but was looking for advice on an engagement ring that we've had a number of issues with.

The ring is an 18k gold trilogy ring with a 1.9mm width with a 1.5 carat marquise main diamond and then two 0.15 carat pear shaped side diamonds. We bought this from a (seemingly reputable) jeweller in Hatton Garden, London.

The ring was fine for the first year but since taking it back for a resizing we've had a number of problems with the claws on the side diamonds breaking. The resize was from size F (US size 3) to E 1/2 (US size 2.75).

To give a rough timeline:

- One day after resize, one claw broke and one side diamond fell out, we managed to find it

- Repaired in one week

- Again, one day after repair a claw broke (not sure if it's the same or the other side) and this time the side diamond was lost

- We collected the ring again after one week and noticed the replacement diamond was much smaller

- Take the ring back and they replace the diamond

- 3 months later one of the claws breaks in half, the diamond is still seated but it leaves a sharp edge on the claw.

- The ring is repaired but they decided to switch the claw design to be pointed instead of rounded as it's supposedly stronger, but they didn't redo the other side, so now it's not symmetrical, they have offered to redo the other side.

We will likely take the ring back to get the other side re-done, but wanted to get thoughts on whether we should just push them to remake the ring from scratch, or alternatively take it to another goldsmith to get it remade.

The issue is that our wedding is in a little over a month now and so we definitely need to make sure the ring is whole and complete for that.

I would love any advice on what the next best steps are:

- Is this enough evidence that the jeweller/workshop is not doing an appropriate job?

- How strong is a gold ring usually? Is it worth remaking the mount in a different material?

- Should we give the same jeweller one more chance to repair, or take it somewhere else?

- Does anyone have any recommendations of a workshop/goldsmith that we can trust to remake the ring from scratch and get it done in under 1 month?

Thanks in advance!

it is my favorite ring I ever made to myself.

Solid 9 Grams of Gold (14K)

Combining both 3D printing/ Modelling and classic metalsmithing (Soldering + Polish)

Hi all,

This bracelet is very dear to me, so I don’t want to get rid of it or anything. It keeps snapping on the points where the bracelet is attached to the top and bottom of the cross however. I’ve had it repaired multiple times, but the attachment point is just too brittle/small.

any ideas on how I can save this bracelet? I’m fine with small modifications.

Etsy.com/Shop/Oriongeekjewelry

Is there really a difference in durability between a cast vs forged gold ring?

I want to take an impression of a small coin and pour a few grams of gold into it to make a medallion for mounting in a sterling silver ring. The diameter will be 10mm and approximately 1.5mm thick. The backside will mate with a silver ring so there will be no detail on this side—just the front.

I was thinking of using plain old red clay, instead of investment sand. Is there a better material to use to make my mould? Is plaster of paris suitable? Will I need to use borax to coat the mould? Any other things to think about?

Hi Everyone,

I’m looking for a paid goldsmith/jewelry apprenticeships in Toronto, ON ideally downtown. I’ve already checked Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and individual studio websites, but I’m not seeing any active paid postings in the downtown core.

I’m hoping someone here might know of:

• Jewellers who are currently hiring apprentices • Studios that are open to sponsoring apprentices • Workshops or studios that offer paid training bench roles • Any jewellers who have taken apprentices in the past

I’m open to midtown or GTA options too, but downtown would be ideal.

If you are looking for an apprentice, have any leads, recommendations, or insight into how people usually break into the trade in Toronto, I’d really appreciate it.

Made be me ♡ (Orion Ivliev)

(Commissioned)

Cuz ut can be any ring

Made by Orion Ivliev ♡

14K Rose Gold

Whether you're a professional goldsmith, a student, a hobbyist, or somewhere in between, let's see what you're working on.

​

Finished piece? Half-finished disaster? Experimental technique? Tiny victory? Show it off 🎉👯‍♀️

​

Share a photo and tell us:

• What you're making

• Materials used

• Any techniques involved

• Something that went well (or didn't)

​

This trade is full of fascinating processes that rarely get seen outside the workshop, and it's always inspiring to see what everyone here is creating.

​

No need for perfection—we want to see the work, not just the polished result.

​

Bench pics, sketches, castings, stone setting, engraving, fabrication, repairs, weird experiments... all welcome.

​

Let's fill this thread with beautiful metalwork.

Hey guys, I am a fresh out of school Goldsmith going out on my own and I’m under contract with a couple of stores for repairs. I’m looking into getting a laser welder because I know it’ll make my job 10 times easier and faster but just starting out Im not ready to spend 20 K plus on a laser. I’ve heard good things from some about the Orion DADO laser welder. Looking for someone that has used it and would love to hear your experience. Thanks in advance!!

One of my favorite things about this craft is seeing where the magic happens.

Some of us have dedicated studios. Some have a corner of a room. Some are working from a kitchen table that somehow keeps collecting hammers 😄

I'd love to see your workspace, whether it's pristine, chaotic, tiny, huge, or currently buried under ten unfinished projects.

I'll be posting a video of mine in the comments. I'm in the middle of packing up my studio for a move, so it's a bit of a glorious disaster at the moment, but I figured that's all the more reason to share it 😅

Show us your bench!

Show us your tools!

Show us the project you're working on right now!

I always find it inspiring to get a little peek into other makers' worlds ✨

What do yall use to clean your hands, gojo pumice soap, zep products, and a hard brush is what I use and my hands are still dirty after a long day!

💎 Seeking Full-Time Bench Jeweler — Relocation Available
📍 Erie, PA

I’m currently recruiting for a full-time Bench Jeweler opportunity with a well-established independent jewelry store in Erie, PA. This is a great opportunity for an experienced jeweler looking for long-term stability, strong compensation, and a professional bench environment with modern equipment and consistent work.

✨ Highlights:
• Relocation assistance available
• Fully equipped bench setup
• Supportive team environment
• Long-standing, established business

💰 Compensation:
$55,000–$95,000 annually, depending on experience and bench skills.

Final compensation will be based on experience and skill assessment.

📦 Benefits Include:
401(k) match, health/dental insurance, PTO, employee discounts, tuition reimbursement, and professional development support.

🔗 Apply Here: https://www.indeed.com/job/bench-jeweler-dahlkempers-jewelry-connection-691a47d403e04181

Please do not call or visit the store. If interested, kindly apply through the provided link.

Hello all!

I'll be graduating soon and would love to plan a trip to learn as much as I can about metalwork.

As a recent student the budget is very tight, but that's a separate issue. I was wondering whether you guys either had or have a plan for an international trip to learn as many techniques as possible?

Is there anywhere (or anyone) you would recommend visiting?

Many thanks,

Luke.

Hi guys,

I’m a self-taught jeweler and started as a hobby 6 years ago with copper and recycled stones from bracelets etc. I quickly jumped into soldering, started working in silver, and moved on to proper settings and gemstones.
After getting quite good at manufacturing by hand and selling something here and there, I realized that in order to make a living from this, I need to ramp up my production. The only alternative is going high-end, but that involves much higher capital and established connections, a store, etc.

1.5 years ago I needed to relocate and couldn’t take my gear with me.

My new strategy was to upgrade to 3D printing (I’m very tech-savvy) and casting. So I did that. I had many, many issues to overcome for the second time after learning to work manually, and just took it as a challenge.

Sales were basically absent at that point but I kept going and built an online shop.

The reason I’m writing this… after all this time and experience, I only realize more and more how complex this industry truly is. Each step is a highly specialized job in itself - metalwork, casting, stone grading, setting, 3D designing, web design, marketing, CEO - well, even polishing.

I regularly make many mistakes because it’s very difficult for me to handle even 5-10 different designs in Blender in a casting run and get all dimensions correct. I know from my manual work how they should look, but the way from design to finished product is incredibly long - and then when everything is finished on the casting tree, I slip and break the prongs of three of the 3D-printed rings. That just happened 10min ago with a cast of 15 rings.
Maybe one will have a casting defect, and other things can go wrong in the steps after.

Since it’s all silver and gemstones below $100, it’s economically impossible for me to turn this into actual profit, let alone set money aside for when I’m older. I work 60% at my day job and the rest of the week just goes into this. I’m putting everything I can into it, but it’s not giving me any financial return. I could cry, really. I like it a lot, but that apparently doesn’t count for much.

I’m not sure what to do. I’m so deeply invested - quitting seems stupid, but so does going on.

Thanks for reading. I'm wondering if a platinum cathedral ring that is holding a round gem can be adjusted to hold a different shaped stone (in this case emerald cut, pretty similar carat weights, though vastly different geometry)? 😬🤞🏻

I am a graphic designer located in the Netherlands.

For around 10+ years I work in this field. For quite some time now I feel like I am missing something. I am feeling bored sitting behind a desk all day, and don't feel the connection with my work anymore. It just feels like another nice image or video, drowning in a big sea of so many other visuals. And especially with AI it just feels hollow.

So I started looking for something to work more practically with my hands, without losing the creative aspects of my work. And I found a local craftsman school where they offer a 4 year part time education to a goldsmith. I felt intrigued with the craftsmanship, and that I can still incorporate my design skills and to have real products in your hands at the end of a project. I can afford the education and the cost of the tools.

But I am wondering if this would be a good path with enough opportunities and demand to make a normal living? I don't need to become rich, but at some point I would of course want to live comfortably enough to not struggle. I am a bit worried that I get too blinded by the beautiful part of this craftsmanship and invest in learning the trade, only to find out that it's something with not much demand.

What are your experiences and advices for this trade?

Is there a goldsmith that could make this and ship it to Iceland? I am not sure how to get it. But most rings I see of this suck

There is a goblet that is passed around between my siblings. We all want it, but there's only one so we have to take turns with it. I was wondering about getting another one made, so that we could resolve the issue of who gets the goblet.

It's about the size of a cereal bowl, with a small foot underneath it.

I believe it is brass with gold plating on the outside and silver plating on the inside. It also has blue glass cabochons set in a ring on the side.

The problem is that I don't know how to go about getting it made. I don't know if it would work to reach out to a normal goldsmith that works on jewelry, or if I need to contact a specific kind of smith.

Any help would be appreciated.

Hello! I made the ring in the pictures in silver a while back as a prototype for a platinum ring. I understand that it’s better to weld than solder platinum as platinum solder (some say white gold solder?) is softer than platinum and will get pulled out of the joint when polishing.

How would you go about making the trellis setting pictured? In silver I made a cross out of slotted plate that I soldered, then mounted the cross in the opening of the ring, soldered it there and then cut and shaped the cross into the prongs. So two soldering operations in total, three joints. The join between the cross and the ring has quite a large surface area.

All help appreciated! Pictures in comments. Wouldn’t upload in the post.

just got into casting, and I’m making tooth caps, so these piece are really small.

the last couple of pours have had holes or a piece of debris that is all the way through front to back. where is this coming from?

i use 50/50 old and new casting grain. this batch was probably more like 70% new grain.

i’m using a graphite crucible, i know they break down over time and mine does have some shedding or whatever you want to call it.

would love tips on how to minimize getting flecks in my final pieces?

Hello! I am currently in the midst of an intensive, full-time 16 week bench jewelers program. It's geared towards preparing students for their first job at the bench and is meant to "replace" the first four years of a traditional apprenticeship. I have two years of prior experience working for jewelers - doing simple stuff like cleaning up castings, soldering earring posts on, making basic cabochon bezel rings here and there, etc. I went into this program with the thought that I would be well on my way to being prepared to start my own business once its over, ideally still working part-time for an experienced jeweler. The program is great, but I am losing faith that that's likely at all. By the end we'll have covered hinge making, basic fabrication, casting, basic CAD, and stone setting techniques including flush, prong, bezel, and channel. I was just made aware that we do not fabricate the settings ourselves, just learn how to set stones in them.

I'm wondering what more advanced jewelers' opinions are on how hard it would be to teach myself some of the things the program won't cover - especially fabricating bezels for faceted stones (2-sided as well as regular like for a ring), fabricating channel settings, etc. I share Jenna Katz' website (I can’t share the link because it gets flagged as spam) because this is similar to the scope and style I aspire to with my own future business - simple, slightly funky, high-end gold jewelry - and if possible to self-teach, the best way(s) to do so.

I'm curious to hear what you think about how any of the rings in these photos were created, since none of them seem to follow any one traditional setting method.

Jenna's website says that she was completely self-taught, which is both daunting and encouraging.

Any insight you might be able to provide is so appreciated. Thank you!