How to Make a Cast Mold for Jewelry

Making your own cast mold for jewelry involves casting a silicone or rubber cast around a model or form that is a replica of your jewelry piece. This casting process can be done on a machine built especially for the process. The machine includes most of everything you need to cast your first mold. The first step is to choose your design and make a sketch, then start carving the parts for the molds.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Jewelry casting machine
• Rubber or silicone casting material
• Modeling wax
• Carving knife
• Surgical knife
• Blow torch
• Wax injection machine

1. Sketch your jewelry design on a blank piece of paper, and decide if you will need one or two molds.

2. Select the proper wax into which you'll carve your model or mold form. This will be an exact copy of your jewelry piece.

3. Carve the model from clean wax using a carving knife. Be very careful to carve the model exactly as you want it to appear. This model will eventually form your mold.

4. Center the model on your casting machine and attach the lid. Then turn on the machine and insert your casting material. The machine will form your mold around the model and then melt the wax away. This is called lost wax casting.

5. Remove your mold material from the machine, using a sharp surgical knife to separate the halves. Be careful when you handle your mold, and always create another model so you can create another mold when this one begins to fail.

6. Attach your mold to a wax injector. Inject enough wax to fill the mold. Open the mold after it dries and remove your new model. Use this model to cast your next mold.

Tips & Warnings

• Casting a mold is a complicated process, but has been simplified by the use of machines. A mold caster will melt your material, and cast it around your form. You may have to adjust some of the settings to use different materials. The materials you choose should be determined by the kind of metal you are going to cast and the type of model you are making. Some waxes are much more flexible and may be easier to carve.

Resources

• Jewelry making supplies
• Casting basics