How to Make Fine Jewelry
Nothing is more beautiful than a well-crafted piece of fine jewelry. Stones sparkle, chains shimmer and pearls give off their own unique luster. When you wear a piece of fine jewelry that you yourself have crafted, the experience is even more rewarding. What’s more, others will notice the “special” quality of your piece and will naturally ask where you got it. How proud you will be to tell them you made it yourself. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Fine jewelry components (pure gold or silver, real stones, pearls and diamonds)
- Jewelry findings, such as bead caps and clasps
- Small pliers
- Small hemostats
- Screws
- Glue
- Scissors
- Tweezers
Instructions
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1
Determine if your insurance will cover any stones, diamonds and other fine jewelry materials you will have in your possession.
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2
Purchase your gemstones, diamonds, pearls and other jewelry-making materials from a reputable dealer. (See Tips and Warnings for more information.)
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3
Lay out the gemstones, diamonds or pearls in the order that you will be stringing them onto the chain (for necklaces and bracelets) or attaching them to posts or holders (for earrings).
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4
Attach the bead caps to your stones (for necklaces and bracelets). Crimp them if necessary to make sure they are well-attached to the stones.
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5
String or attach the stones onto the chain that you have already premeasured and cut, or attach them to the posts or holders (for earrings).
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6
Hold the piece of jewelry next to the part of the body on which it is designed to be worn on, before attaching the clasp, to see if you are satisfied with the overall appearance. Make any changes, if you wish.
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7
Attach the clasp(s) to the end(s) of the jewelry (for necklaces and bracelets), or attach the holder to the post (for earrings).
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Tips & Warnings
It is possible to purchase loose gemstones and diamonds online. A quick search will yield many websites that can help you with selecting and buying your stones. However, as with anything else, take care that you are buying from a legitimate, reputable source.
It will do no good if you buy expensive, fine stones and put them on cheap, poorly made chains or in poor-quality settings. Buy chains, settings and clasps worthy of the beautiful gems, diamonds and pearls they will be holding.
Do not buy gemstones or diamonds if you cannot determine exactly where they came from. Purchasing, receiving and/or possessing stolen property is just as illegal as the act of the theft itself.
Make sure your insurance covers replacement costs if the precious stones you have bought are stolen. Policies may vary, especially if you are keeping these in your primary residence.
If you plan on selling your creations, you may wish to discreetly advertise, rather than “shout it from the rooftops” that you are making and selling fine jewelry items right out of your own home! Someone may not be so much interested in what you have to sell as in what he can get “free,” and you could place yourself in danger without meaning to.
