Hi, I am interested in making a pen over the summer. It will be made from scratch. The nib will be engraved. The barrel (brass, probably, for economy; silver for the future) and cap will be decorated in guilloche, and then enamel over this. In the near future, I am also interested in making a...

I'll be visiting the SF / bay area in a couple of weeks and would like to check out the metal art scene (if there is one). Any suggestions as to galleries, museums, or other venues that would be worth checking out. I'm especially interested in forged and/or fabricated sculpture and crafts, with a...

Does anyone know of a source for small quantities of nitric acid (preferably technical grade, not lab grade)? I'm in Albuquerque. Either a local source or a US-based online/mail-order source would work. Also, does anyone know if Bryant Labs is still around? My link for them is dead, and a search...

If you were going to own only one of Oppi Untracht's books, which would it be -- "Metal Techniques for Craftsmen" or "Jewelry Concepts and Technology"? Based on a reading of the Amazon blurbs, I gather that "Jewelry Concepts and Technology" provides a more comprehensive (i.e., broader) coverage of...

I'm trying to do some electro-etching of low-carbon steel and I keep having problems with undercutting. I'm using dilute (~8%) HCl for the electrolyte; the cathode is a flat sheet of steel roughly the same size as the workpiece. I'm trying to achieve deep etching (1/8" to 1/4") so the workpiece has...

I want to do a little pen or brush plating so I'm shopping around for equipment and plating solutions. Has anyone here used Caswell Plating products and/or the Rio Grande Midas line of products and/or products from other US suppliers? I would be interested in critiques, comparisons, or evaluations...

I've seen gold-on-steel jewelry, as well as gold applied to steel in sculptures (Daniel Brush, for example), and I find myself wondering how the gold is applied. Is it a plating, or gold leaf applied with a size, or mercury gilding, or a variant of Kum-Boo, or something else? My guess is that it's...

A tv company, has requested the return of some London Blue Topaz rings. Any thoughts? http://tinyurl.com/zthfp Bertie

Watching a jewelry tv channel, the message from the presenter was " Tanz is rare, buy now while you have the chance as mines are likely to be exhausted in 9 to 10 years". Whilst I would agree that it's both an attractive and expensive gem, if the gem becomes extinct and is no longer marketed or...

Well Known french costume jewelry dcsigner looks after people to sell 2 brands in Japan, we already have one but we need to change... Please leave me a message This is serious offer. Thanks

I have a vintage rhinestone brooch (circa 1940) that I can no longer wear, as the c-shaped closure mechanism which should lock around the pin has become very loose. The last time I wore the brooch, I suddenly realized it was literally hanging onto my clothing, as the closure had moved enough...

Sometime, in the 70s, when I visited my son at Berkeley, I purchased a little carved ivory pendant in SanFrancisco's China Town. Is it legal to sell this on eBay (or any place). If it is, what can I do with it, except give it away? For those who remember me, a fat old woman, at 77 I had my first...

Over the years, I have been privileged to be a part of this group. I don't do jewelry anymore, but I like to know about others who do. Occasionally I ask a question, or give an answer.... Abrasha always is 'on target' and I don't consider him abrasive... Succinct, cogent and terse....but very...

Hi, I'm new to the group and lapidary as well. I picked up some old tumblers and what I guess is a flat lapping tool. One of the tumblers is pretty big, the drum is 9" in diameter and 12" long. It is 10 sided and rubber lined. The name on it is craft tools. Its pretty old looking, but hasnt been...

This process involves a two-step acid dissolution using nitric acid and aqua regia followed by reconstitution of gold. 1. Get all your gold together and figure out how much pure gold you have by weight. This may require melting a bar and having it assayed, but if you are pretty good at testing...

Please join us if you can. We are 240 Northwest Fine Arts & Crafts artisans and we have our annual Spring Fine Arts and Crafts Show & Sale April 15-17 in Seattle’s Magnuson Park. Directions available at www.bestnwcrafts.com. We have cutting edge new works in a wide variety of media. We also have a...

Anyone care to comment about under karating? In particular, 10K being sold for 14K. Every so often there are exposes in the local media on shops that have sold 10K as 14K. From what I saw they tended to be in flea market-type environments. Would you advise against shopping for 14K in flea market...

Hello all I've enjoyed reading your informative group and I believe I can find an answer to my question here. I strive to be an overall educated consumer particularly concerning high ticket items like 14K and/or diamond jewelry. I am aware of widespread high markups in the retail jewelry...

Subject: casting materials You may need to contact Robert at Robertfida.com

Hello all, My daughter just started tumbling rocks, she would like to make some necklaces and earrings, so what do you use to drill holes in the stone? Thanks Bill