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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The first week of this course introduces the students into multiple techniques
for jewelry design, making and repair.
During the weeks that follow, you will complete daily jewelry store tasks, from
repairing chains, making rings, ring sizing, soldering settings, setting stones,
replacing prongs, installing clasps, plating, engraving as well as basic jewelry
assembly and designing.
This program provides training for preparation for the first level of the
national JA Certification.
THE PROGRAM
Introduction to
precious metals: Platinum, Gold, and Silver.
Learn how to obtain the different Karats and Colors of
Gold.
FTC rules and
regulations, Trading of precious metals. Units of weight.
Testing of metals:
hands-on. Learn how to use acid testing techniques for separating the different
karats of metal. Metals and oxidation.
Handling of shop
sweeps, fillings and scraps for maximum recovery.
Soldering:
Preparation and cleaning of metals for soldering. Soldering is immediately
introduced into the program. Students practice a wide variety of exercises
hands-on.
Piercing, drilling
and filing: explanation and practice for the making of nameplates. Hand made
letters, piercing. Designing theory. Layout. Completion and finishing
procedures.
Wires: making
of bails and jump rings. Using round nose pliers and dowels. Single production
and mass production. Methods explained and practiced.
Rings: Create
and assemble a solitaire ring. Making of a shank. Preparation of a finding.
Attachment of setting.
Ring Sizing:
Practice of single and multiple ring sizing. Hardening and annealing techniques
explained and applied. Rings sizing of rings with stones, channel set and with
low tolerance heat.
Rings with
multiple stones: Multiple exercises in rings: sizing rings up, down and
re-shank of finished jewelry. Setting and tightening stones
Ring Shank
replacement: Replacement of shanks in single rings. Shank replacement in
wedding engagement rings.
Gold melting and
milling: explanation and adjustment of the torch. Use of mold for making
ingots. Use of the rolling mill for producing metal wires and plates.
Bracelets and
Chains: Learn to make bracelets and chains starting from an idea. Replacing
end caps. Installation and replacement of spring rings and lobster claws.
Practice on fixing different types of chains. Curb link, box link, rope, figaro,
anchor, s link.
Construction of
bezel project: students make a bezel by utilizing the sweat soldering
technique. This bezel is worked into a custom made pendant in which the student
has to hand fabricate the décor and bail. The bezel setting technique is also
taught and practiced.
Identification
plates, initials: learn the proper techniques to apply designs to plates.
You will create a project in which you will learn to plan, make, properly
prepare and solder identification initials.
Stone setting:
Techniques for setting stones in different setting styles. Replacement of
existing stones. Learn to provide a seat for round stones. Prong setting.
Explanation of
procedures: Working with hollow jewelry, general explanation of jewelry
repairs. Findings, tools and other supplies and suppliers. Repair friendly and
unfriendly stones.
Finishing of
Castings: Introduction and explanation of castings and the most common tools
used for finishing the pieces.
Rough castings will
be cleaned, sanded, pre finished and polished ready for final delivery.
Locks, safeties
and hinges: Explanation of inner workings of clasps.
Making of hinges for
bracelets. Mechanics and placement of a figure 8. Final assembly and high luster
polishing for final presentation and delivery to the customer.
Three tone ring:
Custom making, sizing and different ways of assembling a three colors of metal
ring will be practiced in this exercise. Different exercises will include
assembling the ring separately, sizing up and down, soldering side by side,
sizing separately and finishing for presentation and delivery.
Designer Ring with
Pattern: The student will learn how to handle the re sizing of a designer
ring with a pattern Sizing up by matching an existing design.
Earrings:
Practice for fixing, soldering and placing posts, creating a pair of earrings.
Hollow jewelry:
Hollow bangle, different repairs to be performed: Fixing dents, installing a
safety chain. The student will learn how to solder a jump ring unto a hollow
ball. Different ways of fixing a hollow bracelet or necklace will be practiced
and a box clasp will be installed
ID Bracelet:
This bracelet will be constructed by making a plate, attaching it to a chain
using tubing and installing a hidden clasp and figure 8. The student will then
learn the best way to solder initials on top of an identification plate.
Hollow Earrings:
Installation of hinges. Joints, catches, cold attachments.
Metal forming:
Use of forming and shaping dies. Die cutting. Hollow earring project.
Installation of posts.
Watches: Hands
on watchbands and batteries replacement.
Plating:
Cleaning, electro stripping and plating with rhodium, copper, nickel and/or
gold, will be explained. Plating demonstrated.
Semi precious
stone ring: Practical demonstration to size rings with semi precious stones
without removal of the stones.
T-bar CZ studs:
T-bars. Assembly and replacement of posts. Stone setting with stud vise.
Setting:
Solder bail onto a setting and set stone. Repair bail with stone in place.
Prong replacement:
Exercises for prong replacement and re-tipping.
Final finish,
Polishing: Finishing and marking jewelry in preparation for polishing.
Polishing techniques, common tools, tumblers, chemicals and general use of
equipment. Polishing with tripoli and rouge. Finishes and Textures.
Ultrasonic and steam
pressure machine. |
