Another of the projects for my goldsmithing course was to create a linked plate bracelet. I seem to be working with a very marine theme these days, and this was no exception:
Using a squid as my inspiration, and seaglass as a finishing touch to the clasp, I thought this bracelet turned out beautifully!
The first project for the goldsmithing course I am doing this year was to design a piece incorporating a bearing seat setting method (a ledge put inside the bezel wall for the stone to sit on), and one or more 12mm or larger stones in either a ring or pendant, with texture. I fell in love with these carnelian cabochons, and had to use them in my piece! Carnelians can be quite brown, but these orange ones are just delicious! I’ve got my eye out for some spessartite garnet cabs which can also be that lovely glowing tangerine colour.
It was a great fun project, both the designing and the making of it! With each project, we have to come up with the concept, do a tech drawing of it, do an art drawing of it, and of course create it. So much fun!
(image credits Rob Lavinsky)
Minerals are inorganic substances which occur naturally, which have a definitive crystalline structure and chemical composition. Rocks are made up of one or more minerals. In 1812, German geologist and minerologist Frederich Mohs came up with a way of determining mineral hardness. He devised a scale of ten minerals and ranked them by finding the hardest material that each given material can scratch, and/or the softest material that can scratch each given material. Other substances can be classed by where they fall on this scale. The scale is ordinal, in that each mineral is not exponentially harder than the last. Mohs Scale is:
In the jewellery industry, Mohs Scale is used in determining the identity and authenticity of precious gemstones.
Smithing jewellery for yourself or for other people is a wonderful thing to do. The process of creation encompasses all kinds of aspects, from daydreaming, art drawing, design; to the more physical metal preparation, sawing, filing, emerying, soldering, hammering, bending. Very zen!
Welcome! The Silver Forge is a small independent business in which I make my unique sterling silver jewellery available to purchase. Handcrafted earrings, rings, pendants; custom bespoke gemstone jewellery commissions are all available.
All my pieces are made entirely by hand using traditional methods and hand tools in my own studio at home. Each piece starts life as a throw of silver, which is turned into either sheet or wire by rolling and/or drawing. From there, anything is possible!
I welcome any enquiries, feedback and constructive criticism – and of course purchases if anything takes your fancy. I am happy to take custom orders for any jewellery in silver or gold you would like made, and I’d be pleased to work with you to create with a design for your dream piece.
My great-great-great grandfather, my great-great uncle and my great-grandfather were blacksmiths, so I like to think that I’m carrying on the family smithing tradition in a small way!