How to Make Gold and Platinum Jewelry

Custom-made gold and platinum jewelry

Using precious metals like gold or platinum to make jewelry at home is more expensive and time-consuming than making other types of jewelry, but the end result is well worth the effort. Whether you're making fine gold and platinum jewelry to sell or as special gifts, the process relies on both craftsmanship and artistic design.

Things You'll Need

• Gold or platinum sheets
• Aluminum molds
• Jewelers mold
• Jeweler's wax
• Wax file
• Sharp knife
• Crucible
• Gold or platinum polish
• Cloth
• Casting torch
• Clamp
• Gems or beads
• Safety glasses
• Gloves

Instructions

1. Choose a ready-made jewelry mold or design your own piece of jewelry. Cut your wax into two even pieces. Run your wax file over the surface of your design to smooth the surface of the wax halves before carving.

2. Carve your design in to the wax with a sharp knife, or buy a ready-made jewelry mold for the piece you wish to make. You can also press an existing design into the wax to create a mold. Remember that whatever size, design and shape you create in your wax mold will be the same as your finished gold or platinum. Make sure you are satisfied with your mold before taking the next step.

3. Melt your metal by placing it into a crucible or other appropriate container to withstand the heat. Turn on your hand torch and point it at the metal until it is melted. Turn off your torch. Platinum requires more heat than gold before melting will occur, so plan accordingly. Your casting torch will have different tips for platinum and gold, so follow the instructions for optimum results.

4. Pour your melted metal into the mold carefully, wearing your gloves if needed. Don't pour too fast, or you'll lose some of the metal; but pour fast enough to fill your mold while the metal is molten. Fill your mold completely. Place the mold in a clamp or beneath a press to keep both sides tightly together. Let it sit at least 1 hour until it is solid. Remove the piece from the mold.

5. Polish your gold or platinum jewelry with the appropriate polish and a soft cloth.

6. Add gemstones or beads to your design and enjoy.

Tips & Warnings

• Wax molds allow for more creativity, but ready-made jewelry molds are much easier to use.

• If you're using both platinum and gold together in the same design, polish the platinum first before connecting it to the gold. Platinum is denser than gold, and requires more polishing. Wear your protective glasses and gloves when working with the torch.

Resources

• Casting Jewelry Information