Billions of dollars industry is well established related to jewelry market. Some are manufacturers, some are brokers, some are sellers, some are purchasers and all are making their bread and butter by customers. Hence, jewelry is a worldwide big industry having millions of employers and its consumers are also in millions.
The process of manufacturing of jewelry has very much importance as this industry starts from here. it is their beginning. Different metals are mold and undergo different procedures. After all these procedures, we are able to see metal gold in very precious and charming form, gold jewels.
The manufacturing of jewelry is divided into two main procedures.
- The first manufacturing technique is called die striking. In this large metal sheets are stroked hard by using different logs and metal die. Under huge pressure, such metals are die striked.
- The other technique is called hand fabrication. As name indicates, different constructive hands are working under this technique. Heat is used for molding of metals and all other works are done by labor. This is a very popular and most beneficial technique in market. People prefer hand made jewelry and also pay more in this regard.
Hence, jewelry manufacturing is also a beneficial industry. Different materials are used in making jewelry. First of all, we should categorize that materials before starting manufacturing of jewelry.
We have been making jewels and other precious beautification things since thousand of years. Every nation in past used to wear necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings and all are keen to make such beautiful creatures by hand. In old days, we were not so advanced that’s why hand fabrication method was widely used in making precious jewelry. But now a days, machines are mostly used in making jewelry by using a number of different materials.
We should understand the pros and cons of such materials before starting manufacturing. After measuring all pros and cons, we can choose which material is best and economical for making jewelry items. The materials are explained as follows:
- Silver:
This metal relates to our ancestors. We have been using this metal for jewelry since prehistoric days. Silver is also very beautiful and well-designed metal for our use in making jewelry. The major use of silver in history was making coins from it and use as currency. The second major use was making jewelry by using silver metals.
Silver is very soft and malleable that’s why craftspeople love it. silver is also very reactive metal. Silver is inexpensive and also have very good antibacterial properties. That’s why people love to wear silver as their jewelry items.
But at the same time, silver also has some cons, these are as:
Silver is soft so that scratches are produced easily. It is sensitive to acids and bases. Silver can tarnish easily i.e. take on blue and black color easily as compared to other metals.
- Gold:
We all know the importance of gold in our daily life events. Gold has very much importance and it is considered status symbol in our societies. Gold is bright reddish metal rated karats. Gold was also used as currency in the form of coin. Dinar is famous currency tat was used in old ages. Now a days, our monetary policy is also based on gold reservoirs of a particular country.
The world consumption of new gold consists of 50% in jewelry, 40% in investments, and 10% in industry.
Gold is one of the finest metals in the world. every wedding band demands gold jewelry. Gold is most malleable metal and it is resistant to acids.
There are also cons of gold that are discussed as:
It is expensive metal then silver. It can be scratched if it is used on daily basis.
Gold has very much importance than all other metals.
- Platinum:
It is also a metal used in making jewelry. It is harder than gold and silver. That’s why it is less malleable as compared to gold and silver.
Different metals are mixed with platinum such as copper, palladium and titanium etc. to reduce its hardness and to make it more malleable.
- Platinum is much more times expensive than gold and silver. It is resistant to all acids and never tarnishes. Platinum is white in color and never fades.
Platinum jewelry is heavier than gold and silver.
Now by discussing all the pros and cons of materials that are used in making jewelry items, we are ready to understand the process of jewelry making by using the best materials.
Step by step guidance is provided in following:
- Sketch:
First of all, proper sketch is made. jewelry production starts with the formation of a concise and well oriented sketch. Now, computers are used for this purpose but some designers still prefer pencils for sketches production.
- The rubber mold:
After the shifting of paper sketch into 3D model, now the rubber mold step is followed. The original model is encased in plaster-like investment, which is specially created for jewelry making. After the investment sets, the encased wax model is burned away in an oven, leaving a jewelry shaped void in the hardened investment.
- Wax tree and plaster mold:
Then convert wax into gold. For this place a number of was models on a branching tree. After wax tree, a special plaster mold called investment is mixed with wax tree. Heat it and make it hardened.
- The pour:
Now, the mixture of gold alloys and molds are melted in a large furnace. 14k gold is 58% gold mixed with copper and silver while 18k gold is 75% gold mixed with small ration of copper and silver.
- Pre-polish:
In this step, buff jewelry over polishing wheel and polish it very well.
- Setting gems:
If gems have to be added then add gems in jewelry carefully. Balancing is important while setting gems in jewelry.
- Final touch:
Now, the jewelry formation is finished. Add a little luster by light polishing it.