This is a step by step tutorial will easy to to follow pictori and detailed instructions on:
- - Creating molten metal look
- - Making this pendant and 2 rings
- - Discuss setting of gems in textured metal
- This tutorial can be made in a standard smithing workshop. You will need:
- - Metal : silver or gold or other
- - Free-form gemstone
Often gemstones have an unusual shape. Making molten metal texture is a complimentary surround for such a gemstone accenting the organic flow of gem and metal. For this project I'm using 18k yellow gold, but one can use 14k or silver equally well.
This texture leaves a wide scope for artistic flair and design, but one has to master flame control to create a jewelry piece in order to look anything but random. I regard this skill as another great technique in my toolbox, to achieve a desired look which is particularly suited to free-form gemstones or when the design requires a natural organic feel.
The trick with creating the molten texture is that very little sanding is done on piece, because it removes too much texture. Rather, I just check that there are no file marks and then do a soft polish and rouge. I fused a claw in, and then after polishing, I set the carved Aquamarine.
Before soft polishing the claw was fused in place and then the free-from carved Aquamarine was set.