Goldsmith Apprentice

Beginning of the craft.

Image via Wikipedia

The secrets of the Craft comes a long way from the past. Before name Goldsmith was born. It has been a time when steel was more valuable than gold. Tools made from steel could be exchange for kilograms of gold jewelry and gems. Which means that jewelry craft was born first. Different techniques were used in different countries but tools are the same.

The Goldsmith Tools.
First you need handy gas, oxygen and torch. Crucible for smelting metals. Ingot, Moulds in cast iron. For forming metal. Jewelry saw frame with saw blades.(there is different sizes): choose thick blades (will last longer for beginners). Few pliers- flat nose, round nose and half round. Side cutter. Hammers-big and small, files and needle files different shape. Soldering Tweezers (a must have). Drill is very important, see if you can get jewellery hanging motor with flexible shaft (second hand wont cost much). Will be good if you can afford Rolling Mills, but you can shape metal with big hammer on a steel block.

Well, now we need materials to work with. No not the gold or silver. There is a big list you have to write down. Sandpaper (300 and 1000 grits), Borax, Boracic powder, Acid (you can use battery acid), Polishing paste, Polishing buffs, Soldering block (asbestos-free), Oil, Cotton wool, Binding wire, Candle(or Bee wax if you can get), Must get Lead and melt in to flat can for better shaping of jewelry. OK, enough for now, we are almost done.

The metal.
Please, please don't melt your grandma's jewelry, they can have more value than you ever know, even plain wedding band with trade mark inside can be priceless ( about that on another page). You can not buy gold from the factory, must have a license and cost a lot too. For the start go to the scrap-yard and buy copper, very good metal to work with. Copper been used for hundreds of years . Better if you can get silver somewhere, please again not the coins.

We are almost ready, you still need little silver to make solder. Use Borax and Boracic powder to make flax, set up melting and polishing place (you can use a grinder to convert in to polishing machine). Almost forgot, your working bench with the skin and bench pin. Congratulations you ready to start, join the Craft.
For the better knowledge on the tools. Goldsmith & Jewellery Suppliers catalogue. You can order from same place as a Jeweller you don't need license for that.

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER: FREE Jewellery making course Dowloadable E-book release.
Goldsmith Apprentice.

I put my life experience in this book, techniques that not many goldsmiths know about. Get it free now!

..................................................................................