Hi there, Does anyone know if there are any people in the USA experienced in cutting opal? I used to be an opal miner back in Australia many moons ago and still have a few bits and pieces around that I wouldn't mind having someone cut for me to see how they come up. Anybody know if...

I had two gold watches; a 18k Longines and a 14k Accutron. I gave them to a jeweler to see if she could sell them. She found they had no value over the metal value, but lost them before returning them. She is willing to pay for their value, but doesn't know how much gold is contained in a...

http://news.sawf.org/Lifestyle/21686.aspx -- to reply, change ( .not) to ( .net)

In judging diamond jewelry it is a common occurrence to get a diamonds shape and the cut mixed up. The cut of a diamond describes the performance of light, dimensions, and finish. Shape is just the outline of the diamond from a top view. In judging diamond jewelry you must make sure there is a good...

I am searching for catalogs and pricelists from William Dixon, Grobet, Kerr, and Allcraft--and am really interested in those from the early to mid 1970's. I know it sounds kind of strange, but I am doing research in to the changes in casting and soldering techniques. I have drained ebay of...

I've been casting (as an amateur) for at least 20 years. I may have 'missed' 6 or 7 castings in the last 5 years - not bad for a non- professional. However, I don't know exactly what goes on during the last part of the burn out cycle. I use steam to dewax the molds, then use a 300 degree F. in...

I have decided that I'm never going to find the ring i want and therefor i am going to make the ring myself. My problem is not knowing where can i find a place to get Stainless Steel to make a fairly large ring. (about size 11, high school grad ring style...) Any idea where i can get ahold of...

Hello all, I've been a lost-wax caster for over thirty years, and I never really learned to use a rolling mill. I never even bought one, because I could always figure out how to get along without it. I have several questions for you bench experts concerning rolling gold wire. For an upcoming...

Hi, I have an used Rock Rascal that I wish to use to section rocks and minerals. It does not currently have a motor. From reading supply websites, it would seem that a 1/3 hp 1725 motor is sold for it.

Hi all. If the recent batch of Ted Frater's posts seem out of sequence with the thread, or slightly confused in sequence or something, the fault may be mine. Ted finds that he has to post to the group by forwarding his messages via direct email, rather than through the usual use of a news server....

] Interesting how the use of the word "Pallion" has different uses. Yes I know the normal use in our trade is to describe little pieces of solder BUT here the other meaning is the little pieces of gold or silver that are used under clear enamel on watch faces and jewellery as decoraton. these...

Hi I hope this isn't too off topic but I'm concerned about my Dad - he seems to have become obsessed with buying the female members of the family as much Gems TV stuff as he can get hold of - he is convinced it is all top quality stuff at bargain prices. I'm no expert but having looked at their...

Many people call themselves "Jewellers". In my view a "Jeweller" is just someone who sells jewellery of any type. A seller or threaded of beads may be a jeweller on the basis that they sell beads which is a type of jewellery. however, the real craftsman with the real skill is the Goldsmith who...

http://www.customdesignmetalarts.com Custom Design Metal Arts Studio: Specializing in Metalsmithing and Jewelry Instruction. Ocala, Florida.-- Bill Roberts, Owner and Operator of Custom Design Metal Arts, with over 20 years, full time, experience in decorative metalwork offers: One on One Classes...

I think I am doing well on my crimping. The question I have is this: When I crimp the closing bead to put the clasp on, I leave enough stringing wire to go through 2-3 beads. I have learned from some that I am supposed to nip the wire so that it doesn't show. However, I have purchased jewelry...

Hi All, I am going to be making a couple of gold rings, simple wedding band type things. These are going to be made in 14K white gold. I'm hoping for just a bit of guidance. I am at best a hobbiest at this sort of thing and have done lots of soldering on silver, both in jewelry making and for...

The Ganoksin Project S i n c e 1 9 9 6 Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Techniques http://www.ganoksin.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------- In This Edition:

After Abrasha posted a link to Contenti's web site, for LOS if I recall, I clicked his link just to verify it, and was surprised to find the site unavailable, at least to me, with firefox unable to find the server. An email to them got a reply that as far as they know, their site is up and...

The peice: 1"x2"x1/4" 6AL/4V. Prepped with 'Multi-Etch' from Reative studios. The power source - mini anodizer also from Reactive. Cathode is stainless foil (supplied with anodizer) I started with TSP at 3% and tried all the way up to 25% mixed with water (not tap but from a 'glacier' reverse...

hello all i am kind of new to the beading thing but have been going pretty well. i have recently been looking at online storews on the internet and would like to kmnow any good sites where i can get beads in bulk for bargan prices. Any tips? thankss in advance lozza