Manufacturing Process

The jewelry manufacturing process involves several steps that transform raw materials into finished pieces of jewelry. Here is a general overview of the typical jewelry manufacturing process:

  • Step - 1

    Design:

    The process begins with the creation of a design concept. Jewelry designers may sketch their ideas by hand or use computer-aided design (CAD) software to create detailed digital rendering and turns it into a reality by evaluating the idea and upon further analysis.

  • Step - 2

    CAD/CAM:

    The second stage, just after the designing stage is the CAD/CAM stage, which involves the use of CAD Software. It is an advanced process used in jewelry making. The CAD Software is a 2D and 3D computer-aided software often used by designers which improves the dimensional accuracy and quality of the design. Also, it helps in the creation of a database for manufacturing.

  • Step - 3

    Wax Model Creation:

    A wax model is created to give a three-dimensional representation of the design. It is a master design which is being used to create similar pieces of jewelry through the use of rubber mould) through the process of casting

  • Step - 4

    RUBBER MOULD:

    The rubber mold is a flexible and reusable tool used to create multiple identical copies of a jewelry piece.. The best part of the rubber mould is that the designs remain safe, well protected and embedded within it and thus can be used to create replicas of the jewelry design in the future. The materials involved in the making of mould can vary from natural rubber, silicone to metal and the process of the mould making is labelled as 'Vulcanizing'.

  • Step - 5

    WAXING / WAX TREE:

    The term "wax tree" refers to a technique called "lost wax casting" or "investment casting. The wax pieces are produced from rubber moulds made of silver master. The process of waxing involves placing the rubber mould on the commercial wax injector machine and then pressure injected into the cavity in order to create wax models. These wax models are being used for casting. Overall, the wax tree technique in jewelry making is a versatile and widely used method for creating metal jewelry pieces with intricate designs and details.

  • Step - 6

    Casting:

    The next step is to create the metal components of the jewelry. This is typically done through a process called casting. A mold is made by encasing the wax model in plaster or investment material. Once the mold is ready, it is heated, causing the wax to melt and leave behind a cavity. Molten metal is then poured into the cavity, allowed to cool, and solidify. After, the molten metal is cooled, demolished and the jewelry in the form of casting is revealed. Casting is a versatile technique that allows jewelers to create intricate and unique jewelry pieces with great detail and complexity. It is widely used in the jewelry industry and offers a range of possibilities for producing beautiful and custom designs.

  • Step - 7

    GRINDING:

    Grinding refers to the process of using abrasive tools or materials to shape, smooth, or refine metal surfaces. The polisher utilizes the motorized grinding machine to smoothen the surface of gold piece of the jewelry. The Grinding involves the final process of the polishing, which is carried out by holding the jewelry piece against the spinning grinding wheel and thus resulting a smooth surface as required, jewelers carefully work on the metal surface, applying pressure and controlled movements to remove unwanted material, smooth rough areas, or refine the shape. resulting in finely crafted and visually appealing jewelry pieces.

  • Step - 8

    FILING / ASSEMBLY AND PRE-POLISHING:

    After casting, the jewelry pieces undergo various finishing processes. These include removing any excess metal, smoothing the surface, and refining the details. Techniques such as filing, sanding, polishing, and buffing are employed to achieve the desired finish.

  • Step - 9

    Stone Setting:

    If the jewelry design includes gemstones or diamonds, they are carefully set into the metal. Different setting techniques, such as prong setting, bezel setting, pave setting, or channel setting, are used to securely hold the stones in place.

  • Step - 10

    Polishing and Cleaning:

    Once the stones are set, the jewelry goes through additional polishing and cleaning to enhance its appearance. Polishing removes any scratches, burrs, or imperfections from the metal surface, resulting in a smooth and shiny finish. Additional finishing techniques, such as engraving or texturing, may also be applied to achieve the desired look.

  • Step - 11

    RHODIUM PLATING:

    The Rhodium plating is the penultimate stage of the jewelry manufacturing. Rhodium plating transforms the white gold piece into a bright white, highly reflective surface, giving it a luxurious and high-end appearance. It provides a protective and tarnish-resistant barrier to the underlying metal, preserving the shine and preventing discoloration., Rhodium is being placed on a yellow gold in order to create a visually appealing design and pattern, while the same is placed on a white gold to add whiteness to the gold (since the white gold is not so white in the pure form!).

  • Step - 12

    Quality Control:

    The finished jewelry piece undergoes rigorous quality control checks to ensure it meets the manufacturer's standards for craftsmanship and durability.