Metallurgy

In many countries, regulations govern the caratage of gold solders used to make jewellery and, with few exceptions, gold solder...

From ancient times, gold has been used mostly in decorative items, and the colour of gold plays an important role...

In this presentation I attempted to provide you with information on platinum alloys to help you make an informed decision...

Because titanium behaves somewhat differently than the standard metals in the goldsmith's workshop some special attention to its working is...

Today, platinum is enjoying its renaissance. In the U.S., platinum consumption has risen by more than 700% since 1990. More...

In this article, I will discuss the basics of metal preparation for the enameling process. Some experienced enamelists may disagree...

Heat treatment changes the microstructure of a metal or alloy. It is a process that may be applied after casting,...

Invented in 1996 by Peter Johns, a professor of silversmithing at Englands Middlesex University, Argentium[R] Sterling Silver, like traditional sterling...

Did you ever imagine you'd see the day when a finely woven mesh bracelet with thousands of tiny links could...

A selected bibliography list for the jeweler - Metal working, Casting, Plating, Enamelling ,Gem Cutting, Setting, Engraving and Etching, Other...

Standard yellow gold alloys which are based on gold-silver copper can be used for many production processes. They could be...

The jewellery market is looking for harder high-carat gold alloys that are more resistant to wear and scratching. Current research...

Tarnishing is superficial corrosion of the carat gold surface and is evident by a usually dark discolouration - the tarnish...

This article is the second of a three-part series on Metal Spinning by James Seavey discussing the techniques in developing...

It took about two months of experimentation to get the formulas for Platinum Sterling Silver just right - Robinson created...

Titanium and the other refractory metals other the metalsmith a new range of exotic colors - colors that are beautiful...

In practice an experienced eye will usually be able to determine by color and luster whether a piece is made...

The metal conversion chart below will help you determine the amount of metal needed to create a piece of jewelry...

Sterling silver alloys typically contain about 7.5 percent copper, an addition that not only provides strength to the otherwise pure...

When most people think of colored jewelry, their minds conjure visions of rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. After all, jewelry makers...

Gold and silver have long been esteemed as the king and queen of metals, for good reason. No other members...

The purpose of precious metal testing is to determine, first, whether a given sample is precious or base, and, second,...

Much of the recent literature on defects that occur in jewellery manufacture is focused on those occurring in lost wax...

The popularity of white gold has us all looking to the most perplexing gold we use. Perplexing a variety of...

When it comes to white gold, my customers want the brightest, whitest white they can get -- and some are...

Throughout the history of jewelry making, metalsmiths have strived to perfect not only their artistry, but their materials as well....

An alloy is by definition a mixture of two or more metals to create different strengths and colors. For granulation,...

In the jewelry industry, it's rare to have an alloy without drawbacks, particularly when the alloy is not yellow. When...

There are a few scientific methods for precisely determining karat gold purity, some destructive (fire assay) and others nondestructive (X-ray...

White gold presents unique challenges. Who among us has not struggled with white gold at one time or another? Some...

This is the first part of a series on Electric Kiln Fired Mokume Gane. Here we will focus on a...

In this article in the series we will go to billet forging and making a simple wedding band in a...

In modern melting and casting technology, the need for products able to front competition in the field of quality and...

The use of area inlay, called damascening or woven inlay, is common in the ancient metalwork of Iran, India, Japan,...

Richard Reinhardt's best-known pieces today are silver bracelets, constructed in concave or convex forms that curve smoothly and logically in...

In this article I will be referring to terms that I have defined in previous articles. If you wish to...

Although the basic anodizing principles involved in the reactive metals have been discussed in the past, a deeper insight into...

This article was completed just weeks before Robert von Neumann's accidental fall and subsequent death on April 23, 1984. Books...

'The Art of Gold,' curated by Michael Monroe, is the first major survey of contemporary American goldsmithing. The traveling exhibition...

One observation on the career of John Prip (more often called Jack) is the way in which the man and...

This last installment of this series on Mokume Gane  will focus on the different Mokume Gane pattern techniques and the...

Understanding why solders melt and how they flow is fundamental to mastering soldering techniques. The alloys we use every day...

The first reference that I have that links copperas with the collection of fossils is found in the 'Life and...

Have you ever noticed how white gold varies in color? Many folks think white gold is the same color as...

Jurgen J Maerz of the Platinum Guild International USA outlines factors to consider when adding platinum to your line of...

Following the release of its Sterling with Platinum alloy, ABI Precious Metals in Carson, California, has developed yellow gold alloys...

Among the most distinguished known surviving pieces of New Orleans-made silver is this tureen made by Adolphe Himmel. With its...

There is something of the alchemist's magic in Pat Flynn. Like those artful wizards of long ago, he changes common...

Jonathan Bonner is a pleasant young man with a quick smile and an easygoing manner. If you saw him in...

About five years ago, Robert Fairbank, John Reynolds and I created a "living entity" called Goldsmiths 3 in Concord, Massachusetts....

Martha Glowacki's works are sculptural abstractions on the theme of landscape. They demonstrate her interest in the imposition of order...

Putting a spin on tradition, Alexandra Hart of Alexandra Hart in San Diego crafted Broollopskronan, or Bridal Crown, a regal...

This entry marks the beginning of a new, regular column in Metalsmith. It will deal with technical concerns of interest...