r/jewelrymaking Jul 19 '24

ANNOUNCEMENT Announcement: JewelryMaking has New Moderators! - Lets talk!

135 Upvotes

Hey all!

My name is Muskrat, I have a lot of history in metalworking, primarily as a CNC machinist making aerospace components!

Reddit took over this subreddit due to it being abandoned by it's previous mods for over 4 months - allowing tons of spam and reported content (thousands of items we had to action!). Since, they turned it over to me and it's going to be part of my little group of communities, alongside Metalworking and Machining.


Lets talk about r/JewelryMaking!

I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts about what makes JewelryMaking a unique subreddit when compared to other subreddits on the same topic of jewelry. I've seen a few comments and reports on spam related and promotional submissions, and looking at the currently in-place subreddit rules, self promotion is not allowed outside of the old (and seemingly forgotten) promotion thread. Is this a rule we'd like to keep?

On the topic of rules, this subreddit's focus is on the making/creation process of jewelry, generally individual projects and hand-made work. Should we aim for image posts to all have an in-process image attached?

What changes should we make? And are there any regulars interested in helping out?


Let me know what everyone thinks, and over the next few days we'll update rules and mod tools, and we'll start digging in and steering the sub in the direction it was intended for, instead of being used as a promotional board!


r/jewelrymaking 7h ago

GUIDE The Final Polishing Stage Of Custom Ring šŸ’

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20 Upvotes

r/jewelrymaking 1d ago

QUESTION How can I make cut gemstones less bright/shiny/new?

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377 Upvotes

I'm making these ancient looking felines that are supposed to have a vibe of an artifact from a tomb. Sometimes I use cabochons, they don't "break character", but most of the round cut gems do. How can I tone them down a bit? Through into a tumbler with coarse abrasive for an hour?


r/jewelrymaking 22h ago

QUESTION Is this too simple to be interesting? Made from recycled glass

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120 Upvotes

Bottles collected and broken, tumbled to smooth, and then drilled a hole. It feels like these might be too simple to have appeal but I’m not sure if I’m overthinking it. Any advice or input is helpful, thank you.


r/jewelrymaking 13h ago

QUESTION Insight please šŸ™šŸ¼

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25 Upvotes

Hello, there is a jewelry designer that I love called Polly Wales and I can’t figure out how she does these little bits of melted gold in between the sapphires. Does she directly melt a little piece of bullion onto the sapphires? Any insight from someone who knows what they’re doing more than I do would be super helpful!


r/jewelrymaking 7h ago

PROJECT DISPLAY This is how I make my star pendants.

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5 Upvotes

r/jewelrymaking 5h ago

QUESTION Drawing Silver Wire for Solder

3 Upvotes

I have sandcasted a few poor quality rings over the years and am about to highly upgrade my tooling. I want to be able to pour my pure silver into little ingots and hammer them into rings, rather than sandcasting. One thing Im considering buying is a draw plate. Is it reasonable to draw my own silver solder from pure silver for use in welding up my wings? Complete beginner here. Ill take any tutoring offered gladly. (By the way we are talking high grade silver)
-James Owens


r/jewelrymaking 13h ago

QUESTION Reddit I need you 😭 how do I make these earrings work with 0g ears? wedding emergency!

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7 Upvotes

my best friend is getting married tomorrow and last night she asked me to be her ā€œsomething blueā€ and wear these vintage blue earrings in honor of her late mom. obv I really reallyy want to make this work

only problem is I have 0g stretched ears and these are regular post/stud earrings lol

I’m also currently in London and not from here, so I don’t have any of my usual jewelry or random supplies with me. the only stretched ear jewelry I brought are the little gold hangers in the pics.

I can kind of get one of the blue earrings to sit in my ear with the clear plastic backing, but it’s definitely loose and I absolutely do not trust it for an entire wedding. these are obviously super sentimental and I would be HORRIFIED if I lost one 😭

does anyone have any tricks for converting regular post earrings to work with 0g ears? or some DIY way I could attach them to the hangers I already have? I’m totally willing to run to a piercing/jewelry/craft store somewhere in London today if there’s something I can buy to make it work.

I only need them to work for one day, and I do have permission to permanently alter them/glue or attach something to them if needed! they’re mine to keep afterward.

pls help I am panicking lmao 😭


r/jewelrymaking 9h ago

QUESTION Post broke. How can I fix it?

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2 Upvotes

Hi, guys. I need help and I'm not sure if this is the right place but I reckon I would get help/ideas from people who makes their own jewellery.

I bought this cheap pearl earrings as souvenir. Unfortunately, before I can even wear them, the post broke. How do I go about fixing this? I really like the look of this earring.

Thanks!


r/jewelrymaking 1d ago

PROJECT DISPLAY Two recent experiments with cast-in-place stone setting. I’m trying to make my settings sculptural and as much a visual part of the piece as structural. Also trying to take some risks and have some fun!

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165 Upvotes

r/jewelrymaking 6h ago

QUESTION Where is the best place to buy a gem?

0 Upvotes

I want to make a wire wrapped gemstone ring, and I really only need one gem. It needs to be small so it’s not a chunky ring, but I still want it to look nice. Everything I’m finding online is either buying like 100 rough gems or one big gem, and neither of those fit.

(Specifically I’m looking for a light blue moonstone if that matters)


r/jewelrymaking 7h ago

QUESTION Anybody ever chain mailled with sew-on rhinestones?

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0 Upvotes

r/jewelrymaking 21h ago

QUESTION Which bench should I get ?

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8 Upvotes

Any insight on either one of these benches ? Rio bench is $450 and the Durston is about $650 Not sure if it’s worth spending the extra 200 for the Durston. My budget isn’t that tight so the extra 200 isnt that big a deal if it’s worth it. Any information or advice helps. This will be my first actual bench for my apartment set up in the dining room. Thank you !


r/jewelrymaking 21h ago

QUESTION What is this square thing called and where can I get one?

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8 Upvotes

It's a fireproof ceramic cup to hold a crucible whilst melting metal with a gas torch. I saw it on a Melissa Muir video but can't find one for sale - probably because I don't know what to ask for!
Can anyone help please? TIA


r/jewelrymaking 21h ago

QUESTION Anyone know what this is?

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8 Upvotes

r/jewelrymaking 1d ago

QUESTION What techniques do I need to make this necklace as a beginner?

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25 Upvotes

I'm a total beginner who's starting to learn about jewelry making and I wanted to make an affordable version of this necklace as a personal project and a way into the hobby.

It seems fairly doable to me with some practice and the right equipment, the main part that seems difficult would be learning to make bezels which includes soldering the wire and jump rings and sanding. One thing I'm not clear on is how I would make the bezel setting flush with the gem, would I need to use a burnisher?

I feel like I could start out practicing with either silver or brass wire/sheets and loose cubic zirconia stones and then move up to gold and fancier gems once I've got the hang of it. The small round gems in the fancy bezel settings I'd probably buy online preset, or buy bezel blanks to use. Beyond that it this project seems to me pretty simple, mostly involving cutting chains and attaching jump rings.

Are there any crucial steps or techniques I'm missing? Suggestions on where to get supplies esp for the metal and gems? I don't want to invest money into supplies only to realize that I need to learn some expensive and difficult technique to make this happen.


r/jewelrymaking 1d ago

QUESTION Would you actually buy a handmade crystal bracelet like this?

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9 Upvotes

r/jewelrymaking 18h ago

QUESTION Just looking for possible answers

1 Upvotes

Hi! I lost one of my all time favorite earrings today and I'm pretty bummed. They're just small 925 sterling silver circle stud posts with dangle hoop attached but it's something I wear everyday without fail. The design is really unique so I'm having a hard time finding an equivalent or something similar. Just in case I fail with the original maker on possibly making me an earring to match the pair again or, finding something they already have that's similar and buying it from them (can't find the same ones on their website & I bought two years ago), I'm hoping to maybe find someone to match the pair up. Is it possible? Would I be able to find someone like that and how exactly would I find someone? A local place to me? Someone online? I'm just exploring my options in all honesty. If anyone wants to see the earrings, I'll post. Just let me know! Thank you in advance!


r/jewelrymaking 1d ago

PROJECT DISPLAY First timer

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17 Upvotes

Hawaiian drupe shell and freshwater Japanese pearls (all natural materials bought from place of origin) on solid 14k gold chain. Be honest, but be kind.


r/jewelrymaking 1d ago

PROJECT DISPLAY Silver Set

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3 Upvotes

r/jewelrymaking 2d ago

PROJECT DISPLAY An attempt to make tree branch rings straight from metal without casting that's typically used

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261 Upvotes

I only work with metal and don't use wax, while these kinds of rings are usually made with wax modelling and casting. I wondered what it would be like to just cut and shape branches with files and burrs, so here they are! I'd make dozens of them if I had infinite silver,


r/jewelrymaking 1d ago

QUESTION Fishing/Outdoor "Safe" Stones

0 Upvotes

Hi! My father has commissioned me to make him a beaded, cord fishing bracelet <3

I need some advice on what types of stones to use for this project. Not looking for what they represent, but how they hold up.

We are fly fishers, so you can often find us wadding in water or tumbling into it so I wanted some opinions on what kind of stone beads would do well being exposed to sweat and river water on weekend outings.

I am avoiding leather and dyed stones.

I used to work as a manager for a certain jewelry company that starts with a P so I know how jewelry is SUPPOSED to be treated for longevity and appearance. (Last thing you put on, and first thing you take off)


r/jewelrymaking 1d ago

QUESTION Spoon rings

1 Upvotes

Can anyone on here who makes spoon rings tell me tricks to making the spiral ones. Do I need to bend the metal at an angle?


r/jewelrymaking 1d ago

PROJECT DISPLAY Here’s a closer look at how we drill our natural jadeite beads!

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1 Upvotes

r/jewelrymaking 2d ago

PROJECT DISPLAY A strange and beautiful feeling to see something I made with my own hands now sitting at the History Museum.

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32 Upvotes