Cooksongold Jewellery Making Supplies Forum | Jewellery Making Forums | Craft Forums - Need Help? Ask the Experts! http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/ Ask the community a jewellery related question. Someone’s bound to know! en Fri, 24 May 2013 08:00:50 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/images/misc/rss.png Cooksongold Jewellery Making Supplies Forum | Jewellery Making Forums | Craft Forums - Need Help? Ask the Experts! http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/ engraving wedding bands http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5048&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 16:17:21 GMT hello all,

does anyone know anything about engraving the inside of wedding bands? I've made a gold ring for a customer and he wants a rune inscription inside (he's norwegian). Obviously this isn't just simple text, it's an image I suppose. Does anyone have any contacts I could get in touch with to do this? I don't really know where to start!

thanks lots! ]]> Need Help? Ask the Experts! madsally http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5048 Tripoli http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5046&goto=newpost Mon, 20 May 2013 21:34:04 GMT What kind of wheel do people prefer for use with tripoli? Is calico best? if so medium or hard or what? bit overwhelmed.......... What kind of wheel do people prefer for use with tripoli? Is calico best? if so medium or hard or what? bit overwhelmed.......... ]]> Need Help? Ask the Experts! http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5046 Customers grrrr! http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5041&goto=newpost Mon, 20 May 2013 06:47:36 GMT Just made engagement and wedding rings in white gold with yellow gold wavy line and settings. I made the plain rings and the couple tried them on... Just made engagement and wedding rings in white gold with yellow gold wavy line and settings. I made the plain rings and the couple tried them on said they were fine. I then added the gold bits and finished the rings. Couple picked them up yesterday and said they were delighted. Last night I got an email to say that the man's ring was too big and what could I do!!! I can't make it smaller as it would completely spoil the ring. I seem to remember someone on here saying they've added something on the inside to make a ring smaller but can't remember how it was done. ]]> Need Help? Ask the Experts! caroleallen http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5041 Sterling v Gold http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5040&goto=newpost Sun, 19 May 2013 21:51:33 GMT Hi everyone

I have been commissioned to make a wedding ring in sterling and was asked about the wearability versus gold. I didn't have the answer!
Does anyone know the longevity of sterling v gold and how different carat qualities compare?
Any advice would be gratefully received.
Theresa ]]> Need Help? Ask the Experts! theresa http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5040 Advice on finishing http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5035&goto=newpost Fri, 17 May 2013 20:54:17 GMT Ok got everything soldered on finally so now to finish it............ I did a lot of sanding prep on the pieces before soldering but it's all looking a bit worse for wear how should i prep for my final polish i want a really nice shiny surface. I don't have a barrel tumbler, i have wet & dry in grades 240, 400, 800, 1000 & 1200. I also have a split pin mandrel and coarse, medium, fine and extra fine eveflex small flames. A wool mop and dialux rouge. Any advice would be appreciated as i really don't want to mess up now.

Sorry for all the basic questions but i was told if in doubt ask! ]]> Need Help? Ask the Experts! http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5035 What am i doing wrong???? Borax http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5029&goto=newpost Wed, 15 May 2013 13:19:50 GMT Brand new dish and brand new borax cone, followed instructions but the flux is drying within milliseconds even when it's really watery (forget a nice cream) leaving just powder on the bottom of the dish and a very frustrated me :-()
What am i doing wrong? ]]> Need Help? Ask the Experts! http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5029 Deer antler necklace/earrings http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5025&goto=newpost Tue, 14 May 2013 13:13:46 GMT I've been asked by someone if they can come and make silver ends for deer antlers for a necklace and earrings. I've never even seen deer antler jewellery, so wondered if anyone has any bright ideas. ]]> Need Help? Ask the Experts! caroleallen http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5025 Bi-colour court ring http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5023&goto=newpost Mon, 13 May 2013 10:15:19 GMT I have been asked to make a pair of wedding rings for the summer. They will be very simple in shape and form; court shape. However the happy couple... I have been asked to make a pair of wedding rings for the summer. They will be very simple in shape and form; court shape. However the happy couple want red gold on the inner, and white gold on the outer.

Do I sweat solder the two strips of gold together then form the ring, I can see there can be issues here if the two are not truly together. Or do I make the two rings, inner and outer, heat up the outer to expand the metal a little allowing me to bash, the inner ring inside the outer. Again if the rings are not perfect in shape at this stage there will be issues.

Which of these processes will be easier to carry out, create less stress and provide a better result for my client?

Many thanks for your comments and any other suggestions.

Les. ]]> Need Help? Ask the Experts! art925 http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5023 Rolling mills....Quality?? http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5020&goto=newpost Sat, 11 May 2013 20:48:14 GMT Would love to own a rolling mill but money is tight, I am only a hobbyist so would it be best to buy the value cookies one or hold out for a second... Would love to own a rolling mill but money is tight, I am only a hobbyist so would it be best to buy the value cookies one or hold out for a second hand Durston one please, can there be anything terribly and expensively wrong with a used one please? Many thanks ]]> Need Help? Ask the Experts! taylordebs http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5020 Bail suggestion for 18mm Swarovski Butterfly pendant http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5006&goto=newpost Tue, 07 May 2013 23:21:07 GMT Hi guys,

Can anyone suggest a bail for an 18mm Swarovski Butterfly Pendant? I'm making bridesmaids necklaces and the one I'm using seems too big and it's not allowing the pendant to lie flat. I don't mind if anyone come up with an alternative suggestion.

Thanks!


Kx ]]> Need Help? Ask the Experts! curlysworld http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5006 Is soldering gold the same as soldering silver? http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5002&goto=newpost Tue, 07 May 2013 13:46:10 GMT Hi,

I think I'm pretty confident with soldering silver - making rings, pendants etc. I use silver solder paste.

My question is, do you solder gold the same way as you solder silver using gold solder paste? I'd like to delve into gold but I don't really know if you work with it the same way as silver?

Would love to be pointed in teh right direction :) ]]> Need Help? Ask the Experts! 4ngi3 http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5002 Pickling problem!! http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4998&goto=newpost Fri, 03 May 2013 23:54:56 GMT Hi everyone! I use white wine vinegar and table salt to pickle my silver in and it worked well at first but now my silver is starting to get these... Hi everyone!

I use white wine vinegar and table salt to pickle my silver in and it worked well at first but now my silver is starting to get these odd black lines or spots on it when put in the pickle. I tried using a new batch of vinegar and salt to see if that was the problem but I still get the same black marks! I can't work out what is causing this as it didn't happen the first time, somebody please help! I heat it in an aga, so think it gets hot enough. I put the pickle in a jam jar with the lid closed, maybe the lid should be open? I tried adding more salt but this didn't change anything. I can't be leaving the silver in there too long as it happens quite quickly, I even tried leaving it in there for ages to see if that got rid of it. The weird thing is if you then heat the silver again the black marks disappear so must be some kind of residue.

I'm sure I am doing something stupidly wrong and just haven't realised it!

Thanks
Antonia ]]> Need Help? Ask the Experts! TangerineDreams http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4998 handwriting jewelry, does anyone know how to make them? http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4994&goto=newpost Thu, 02 May 2013 17:44:44 GMT I have fallen in love with handwriting jewelry! the idea of being able to wear your loved ones handwriting all the time, I just love it! Does... I have fallen in love with handwriting jewelry! the idea of being able to wear your loved ones handwriting all the time, I just love it!

Does anyone know how to or know of any tutorials or books (I don't care if they cost money I'll buy them) on how to make them?

I see that they make them from a photo or a scan of someones handwriting but I don't understand how to get it onto the clay.. I'm assuming they use PMC or something similar .

Any help would be truly appreciated.

Thanks,
Angie ]]> Need Help? Ask the Experts! 4ngi3 http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4994 How to embed a crystal birthstone into a sterling sivler charm? http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4993&goto=newpost Thu, 02 May 2013 16:07:48 GMT Hi,

I've been googling how to do this but I can't find it anywhere, perhaps I'm not typing in the name of the "technique" as I'm searching for "how to embed a crystal on a sterling silver charm".

Can anyone please shed some light on how I can do this?
Thanks! :)
Attached Images
]]> Need Help? Ask the Experts! 4ngi3 http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4993 tips for making cones http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4992&goto=newpost Thu, 02 May 2013 16:00:05 GMT hello! I was hoping someone could give me advice on making small cone shapes out of sheet silver. Is there a special mandrel to shape it over? Do you... hello! I was hoping someone could give me advice on making small cone shapes out of sheet silver. Is there a special mandrel to shape it over? Do you do the same as for paper (start with a circle)? I've had a few attempts in the past, but it's never been very successful...

I look forward to hearing from you, cheers! ]]> Need Help? Ask the Experts! madsally http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4992