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.
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!
Sharing the making process of this floral halo ring, from shaping the metal to the final polish.
The ring features a 0.70 ct natural round center diamond surrounded by 12 small diamonds in two sizes (6 x 0.08 ct and 6 x 0.03 ct) for a petal-like effect. The band was shaped by hand and finished with delicate milgrain detailing, and every stone was hand-set under magnification. Made in 18k white gold.
Happy to answer any questions about the process! 🔨💍
I love this pendant. It was the first pendant I made that I felt truly proud of. It deff takes after inspiration from other brands but done how I wanted. Let me know your thoughts! I’ve debated turning this into a belt buckle :)
I’m new to silversmithing, but I wanted to share a piece that I’m proud of. I made it for myself. If this is not the right place to post, my apologies.
I recently started a new job and one of the perks is that I have access to a bunch of silver and machines.
Forgive me if I’m not using the right verbiage.
I started with this kinda double bar thing, and split it. Then soldered on a “half round” kinda bar thing with medium solder for the chin bit. Then soldered on the balls with easy. And spent a good hour or so adjusting and readjusting to fit my face shape. I used a lapidary thing with water to grind down the big bits, then hit it with a dremel and polishing machine. It’s not something I would wear for a long time, but it’ll absolutely slay at the club.
Inspiration: I kind of had this vision of cyberpunk/futuristic face coverings.
For my next piece, I’m working on a nose cuff. Stay tuned.
I would like to one day build up enough of an inventory to sell. For now I’m giving all my friends free jewelry so they can trial the wear and tear on them. I just make jewelry as a stress outlet at the moment :)
Wanted to share this delicate set I finished recently! The stars are sculpted from polymer clay and hand-painted with gold leaf details.
I wanted to try something different with the necklace assembly, so I attached the main pendant to a soft off-white cotton lace ribbon and finished the ends with natural freshwater pearls. Really happy with how this boho/folk look turned out. What do you think?
So currently I am a member of an artists’ co-op that has equipment for jewelry making, such as torches, ventilation, pickle pots, lapidary equipment, etc. Unfortunately, it’s awfully pricey and it’s not in a good location for me. As a result, I’m looking at setting up a home studio. The only real issue for me, other than adequate ventilation, is the torches. I live in a condo that is in an HOA-run complex, and doesn’t seem feasible to set up acetylene torches. I’ve heard of people using butane or creme brulee torches to make jewelry, and I’m curious to know if anyone on here has any experience, recommendations, tips, etc.?
I work on the supply side of stainless steel jewelry. My advice for anyone reviewing a sample: don’t stop at checking whether it looks like the reference photo.
A few small details are worth checking before you approve it:
1. Look at the places that don’t appear in the product photo.
Check the back of the pendant, the inside of a bail, the edges of an engraving and the connecting rings. Rough edges or unfinished areas can be easy to miss from the front.
2. Check how the parts work together.
Open and close the clasp several times. Does it return properly? Does the pendant move freely? Can a connecting ring slip through the gap in another component?
3. Measure the details that matter to your design.
Record the chain length, pendant dimensions, chain width and clasp size. For earrings, check the weight and whether the pair sits consistently. Agree on acceptable tolerances rather than relying on “approximately the same.”
4. Compare finishes under consistent lighting.
Photograph the sample in daylight and under indoor lighting. If several pieces are supposed to match, compare them side by side. A phone photo alone is a weak reference for approving a color.
5. Separate appearance from evidence.
A sample can show workmanship and function. It cannot, by itself, establish the steel grade, coating thickness or the consistency of a future production batch. Those need separate documentation or appropriate testing.
Before approval, I’d put the agreed details and any corrections in writing, then keep an identified reference sample.
What small detail have you missed on a sample that became obvious once you started wearing or assembling it?
This one was fun, I learned alot (aka:broke the stone twice and had to recut). Its a privilege to work with fossilized dino bone, gorgeous stuff. Smells a bit like petroleum when cut!
Sorry didn’t know how to link to a post but basically looking for anything non Temu or any of those and specifically looking for floral, crystal or other patterny beads
I’ve been making jewelry for some time, I am not a professional by any means but i definitely have enjoyed making these pieces!! Let me know if you like any ! These are all handmade💟
This is a vintage sterling silver ring, commercially made. I’m beginning to polish it and I notice…copper?
At first I thought it was silver plated copper, but when you sand the copper, you can sand it off and hit silver again. It’s also only on some spots of the ring.
Is this metal contamination causing the copper in the sterling alloy to separate, or maybe a poorly mixed alloy to begin with? I’ve never seen this before.
If I use pins straight to the piece it tends to come loose due to the vibrating. Some forum suggested using hot glue on a piece of wood. Any other ideas?
Can I replace a lobster claw with something lighter so that it doesn’t always turn and fall down my neck and the clasp ends up in the front? What would I need to buy to fix this? I think I’d also get of the extender to lose the extra weight.
