TECHNIQUES OF JEWELRY United Artworks is proud to present on this page some selected remarks by Peter W. Rowe, a master goldsmith and gemologist who has for some time now been enlightening the readers of the usenet group rec.crafts.jewelry on the finer points of technique. He has graciously consented to my editing and archiving his comments here, with the questions that occasioned them summarized. He addresses the following topics: Tools and How They Are Best Used Gas mixtures for jewelry torches -Should I use Oxyacetylene? The Water Torch- How does it work? Faberge's machine-engraving -How did he do it? Jeweler's burs- High-speed or vanadium steel? Kilns- Can the controls be improved? Metalworking Silver granulation -How do you get it to stick? Working Platinum- Does it take an expert? Platinum Fabrication- 18 Tips and Tricks Finishing Sterling Silver- What is the best way? Forming sheet silver How can I do it? Making Hemispheres in sheet- How to avoid those dings? Making coins-Then, now, and in the studio. Flat bezels- And the tool to make them that way. Remelting Scrap Silver- Should I bother? Vacuum Casting- What does that mean? Tin Pewter- Can you carve it like wood? Polishing the Crevices- How do you get in there? Mercury- Help, it's eating my gold ring! Plating- how is it done on non-conductive items? Silver to Brass- How can I solder this stuff together? Tapered Tubes- How to make them. Sterling Castings- How do you get a good finish? White Gold- Is it as good as platinum? Alloying down- How to get from 22k to 14k gold Reactive metals- How do they get those amazing colors? Coin Silver- What is in it? Numerical Markings on gold- What does "417" mean? Niobium- How hard is it to work? Photoetching Halftones- How deep can I go before I lose dots? Stones and Their Setting . Agate- The same as Jasper? Chrysocolla- What's in it? Diamonds- What are the "four C's"? Diamonds- They're hard, but are they tough? Diamonds- How are they different from Cubic Zirconia? Diamonds- How is it possible to drill them? "Goldstone" -What is it? Ivory- How can you tell if it's real? Obsidian- Or is my turtle plastic? Pearls- Is mine a fake? Pearls- Can I make the holes bigger? Colored Stones- Will they last? Cleaning Jewelry- Can I do it at home? The well-cut gemstone How can you tell? Tightening prongs -How to get it snug.   Various Materials and How they Are Used Chasing Pitch- The right stuff. Pripp's Flux - The answer to firescale. Fluxes- Self-pickling vs. white paste. Silver Solders- Are they all the same? Jewelry Cleaning Solution- Can I make my own? Pickle Recipes- Not the kind your grandma made. Liver of Sulphur- How to use it for patinating silver. Glue- Which kind should I use? Paste Solder- Is it good for jewelry? Polishing residues- How can I get this gunk off? Enamel- Is it like paint? Career Issues Higher Education- Is it worth it? Photographing Jewelry- Is a scanner enough? RETURN TO UNITED ARTWORKS HOME PAGE