Evening folks.

Bit of an odd question, but does anyone know much about working precious metals? Stuff like gold, platinum etc? I'm thinking about making something a bit special for SWMBO, but I haven't got a clue where to start!

Cheers
Andy

PS. hope she doesn't read this....

don't know, also i'm not sure how a private individual could go about getting the finished article hallmarked

Biggest problem is knowing where to buy the raw materials - most jewelery maker suppliers are hard to find (for obvious reasons) and the makers themselves will charge you a premium for supplying bits & pieces - unless they're interested in what you're doing.

Otherwise, the work is not much different from working in copper or brass - except that you should bear in mind the law about working in gold and silver. You can't sell a piece that's not showing an assay mark, and to get a mark you have to use the correct solder. You also have to pay for the assaying. You may not want to sell it - but life may get 'interesting' if you ever want to move the piece on after a while - I think that even giving it away to someone else is legally dubious.

You also have to consider the collection of the swarf when you're working, as it all has a value. Near Hatton Garden in London I have passed several dealers who do nothing else but deal in jewellers' swarf!

I would suggest that you concentrate in using materials that are distinctive but not regarded as 'precious', e.g. titanium, or stuff like that.

Otherwise you're opening a world of frustration...

David

I watched something ages ago about gold panning in Scotland. One of the people on there had collected enough to make a ring and had it done by a jeweller. Basically they just beat it into a lump and then rolled it into shape and polished it, it was so soft.

My youngest brother was trained as a jeweller , I know he had to take stuff up to London once a week to get it hallmarked , not sure where . He would use a blowlamp to do small repairs at home for friends and family so equipment isn't too costly . Will ask him next chance I get.

Could be worth asking any local 6th form or FE colleges as they often do Jewelery classes, hence may be able to supply/tell you where to get materials.

I used to know a jeweler who said that 22 carat gold is about the limit he could work with. After that it was just too soft.

A friend of mine uses silver wire often for sword fittings, e.g. handles, and inserts in pommels and cross guards. He doesn't get the stuff hallmarked, but then its probably not classes as jewlery

My son is a bespoke jeweller, (has his own shop). If you U2U me with exactly what you require I will have a word with him as to where you can get the materials. It is not illegal to make, or sell items in precious metals without a hall mark, BUT you cannot sell them as such, they have to be described as unassayed. Goldsmith hall is where the London assay office is situated. HTH Ray

There is no problem in buying gold or platinum.
There are bullion dealers in Birmingham that will sell you sheet, rod of various sections, wire all in different sizes and ring blanks ( these are flat and you form them to suit) and small nuggets, in various carat grades and colours, even green!
If you want it hall marked, just contact your nearest assay office. You can send all the bits to get it stamped before assembly, if it is anything complicated, so that it doesn't get damaged when they stamp it.
Try Google or Yell.com.

[Edited on 1/3/07 by Confused but excited.]

birmingham jewelery quarter.

I once made a set of moulds and a rolling mill for someone that made and sold individual jewellery, he ran a market stall and im not certain that he had it hallmarked.
He cast the gold in the mould and then fed it through the drawing rolls to get the size wire that he required. Apparently it is possible to melt gold with just a propane torch.
Paul.