Does anyone know where I can buy metal stamps with the shape of the suits of playing cards (heart , spade, diamond & club)? I have tried some of the bigger operations such as Rio & IJS but neither of them. Thanks, Lee

I was reading online this afternoon about synthetic diamonds, and how there are "products" like those from Gemesis and/or Apollo, that are really lab created diamonds with all the characteristics (optical, physical and chemical) of the natural stones. But my question would regard other...

I have some matching turquoise stones that I would like to use together. I'm looking for inlayable silver castings of dragon flies, butterflies, bees, birds, or anything else where the stones could be used in pairs. The stones average about 1/2" to 3/4" wide and 1 1/2" to 2" long but could be cut...

Hi, Does somebody have a good source for grits and things needed for faceting? I am tried of paying high prices and having to buy more than I need. Thanks, Jerry

There seems to be a hole in my training. Almost every time I polish something with a powered, rotary tool with compound applied. I end up with an accretion of compound residue on the upstream side of the piece, and attempts to remove it with the same tool mostly just polish the deposit of...

Dear colleagues, If you are interested in colored gemstone prices, please visit our online prices database on www.gemval.com Database is updated weekly. Kindest regards, Tana

TSA Jewelry in Morton Grove, IL. Looking to retire. We have a lot of tools and equipment for making jewelry. Contact us at or 847-967-5086. Inventory: ========== Polishing Machine and dust collector Rolling Mill Jeweler workbench Wood Bench Pins

I was reading online about gemstone characteristics and got several sources that don't match. The topic is gemstone hardness and gemstone toughness. I know those aren't the same thing and went to search which would be the toughest gemstones. On one site I read that rubbies and sapphires are...

I would like to start making my own jewellery as a hobbie. Does anyone know how i would go about getting started.

Hello, I just got a trade account that carries David Yurman and John Hardy jewelry. Do any of the bench jewelers out there have any experience with working on these types of jewelry? Are there any tricks to make things easier or something I need to be especially careful of or watch out for when...

These days many jewellers make items with hollow backs, to use less metal. I saw that doing so, and using colorless gems, results in background colors showing up "in gems" (example, white topaz earings, rock crystal pendant...). Can making solid silver/white gold/platinum back on those items solve...

Could anyone offer advice on the following? I have beach glass I have collected and would love to glue some metal clasps on them for necklaces and earrings. Can someone suggest what the best product would be to use, and what steps I should take to ensure a good bond. Very much appreciated. MS

Hello Group, I've got a bunch of small opal stones that I'd like to do inlays with. I tried googling for any suppliers of blank rings with inlay channels but came up empty. Does anyone here know where I might get one? Regards, D

I was given a gold chain as a birthday gift. It was nice looking and glittery in the beginning (circa march 15). After I wore it continuously, for 2 months, it has substantially changed. Around the edges where it rubbed clothes, it looks more coppery, and it generally "faded". It is no longer...

I will try this again and be more specific this time. I need to solder some approximately 12mm jump rings of 16 gauge gold filled wire. Can this be done? Do I pickle? Can this go in my sterling silver pickle? Will the flux I use with sterling silver work? What sort of flame will work and do I...

I am wrapping pieces in silver wire - any ideas ???

Greetings friends! I just wanted to extend an invitation to all of you to attend the First Annual New England Orchid Celebration on Saturday, June 26, at Metalwerx, 50 Guinan St., Waltham, Massachusetts. This will be a relaxing, educational and fun event, open to anyone with a passion for...

Has anyone dealt with these guys? I'm considering sending them a diamond to use in a tension mount ring and was just wondering if they're easy/good to deal with. Thanks in advance. -Brian www.titaniumcommitment.com/homepage.html

The company I work for is JBT listed. It happened before my time and I wonder how a company (or person?) gets listed. (www.jewelersboard.com is refusing connections just now) -- If you try to 'reply' to me without fixing the dot, your reply will go into a 'special' mailbox reserved for spam....

I read about using a vacuum arrangement to remove the bubbles from investment, then pouring it into the flask around the model and vacuuming it again. Seems redundant, why not mix it, pour it in and just vacuum it once? Or have I mis-read? -- Carl If you try to 'reply' to me without fixing the...