Possibly a strange question - what will sparkle more (shimmer, catch eye...), one 10 by 10 mm square stone, or four 5 by 5 mm square stones, set in rows of two? So, you have the same size and shape, but one is made of a single stone, and the other is made of four smaller stones. Under...

We have a number of original jewellery designs; created in the US, manufactured in Asia and sold in the States. We have recently found that an offshore manufacturer is copying our designs and selling them abroad on a popular auction site. The site's guidelines state that sellers must agree not to...

Frustrated with commercial google results when browsing for information, I've started a new directory at www.reallyusefulstuff.com. The criteria for inclusion is that the link is to a "how to..." page, an online tutorial and some similarly informative site. I don't actively exclude sites that...

I want to make some mens bracelets, not chain, but out of large gage silver wire or rod. Should I use wire or rod? Hard, soft,....? Thanks

Some years ago I was making a pin with the image comprising several different metals sweat soldered to a silver backing.I had too much solder employed and some of the seams between metals that I wanted to remain open filled with solder. The pin was thin enough that I thought I would reopen the...

I don't pretend to be a silversmith but am at a loss for a better term. Anyway, Santa brought me a Cannon Digital Rebel and I have been having fun learning how to use it. Being a true SLR, it's pretty intuitive once you learn the not so intuitive icons. I put together a web page with some of the...

Hello all, Can anyone recomend a good sonic cleaner? I currently own a sonic cleaner I bought from Gesswein. I am a long standing customer of Gesswein but I am very unhappy with the cleaner. It's a Gesswein/Elma Ultrasonic Cleaner LC30H an it just doesn't seem to do a good enough job. Any...

Hi All. You know the old saying, "to err is human, but to really screw up you need a computer"... Well, I did it again. I finally got the submission address for this group working right again at this location (I'm on vacation, using an old out of date laptop, so I...

I, like many of you I'm sure, have experimented with casting all kids of stuff: insects, plants, small fish and lizards, etc. , but I don't have much experience in plastics. I assume that there are types of plastics that are not at all suited for this, ie: leftover soot, cinders or ashes,...

Being a real beginner I don't have a clue. Sometimes I have a question and can't find the answer on the internet or in books. This is one of those times. I've made a thin leaf from fine silver for a pendant. The problem is that it is soft, easily bent. Is there some way to harden silver at...

Hi, Can anybody explaine, or point me to a website source describing how to test if an object is gold, and if possible, what karat it is. Neil

Hi, I have managed to by a smith little torch, and am trying to run it on LPG and Compressed air (one of the local jewellers reckons it can be done.) He claims that with LPG at 2.8kPa, and compressed air at 20 PSI (or mouth blown) I should be able to get a small tight cone on a #5 tip. What I am...

hello http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/09/28/paris.theft.ap/index.html there's a news story about 2 big diamonds being lifted at a paris trade show. you can read the article above, or copy and paste it in your browser. anyways, the reason i brought it up is.....supposed i stole the 2...

Is there anyone who can give me names of jewelry manufacturers who will deal with the internet? --- MAF Anti-Spam ID: 20040824110426Z8p1AxX5

I just set up a new oxy-hydrogen torch set. The first time I ignited the torch and turned on the oxygen there was no definitive blue cone. How do I tell when I have a neutral flame? Thanks very much! Chris

I set up a yahoo account so that anyone who wishes to post a pic of their work, or to supplement their question with a diagram or picture can use it. the account is.... the password is google attach a picture and send it to the same address or send from your own email. Please...

I'd like to take my wife to a really nice gem/mineral/jeweler show. We just went to some schmucky affair here in Salt Lake City, but it was mostly beads, say about 85% of the tables. Monthly I travel to: Denver, Phoenix, Reno, Vegas, Boise so I'd like to do a show in one of those...

Hi, I need to know if it is possible for a beginner to solder jumprings that are already attached to the jewelry? Do I need to have really expensive tools? I am making chain earrings and Y necklaces that I need the jumpring to be securely closed. Any help would be appreciated. Laura

I am looking for non-functional watch faces... perhaps reproductions.. to use in making watch pin jewelry. I also am looking to buy watch 'guts' (gears, washers etc.) Thanks...Bonnie

I have been asked to make a fused glass menorah. Would anyone know where to find sterling candle holder attachments I could insert into the holes? Many thanks for any leads.