Are you thinking about working with resin? Brush up on the essential terms with our resin glossary before you get started…
Accelerator – An additive designed to speed up the reaction between the resin and the hardener.
Air Bubble – A common occurrence when pouring resin, air bubbles can be easily fixed by quickly popping with a toothpick. If you are consistently seeing air bubbles you may need to rethink how you are mixing your resin.
Bezel Setting – A jewellery setting with a ridge that can hold the resin in place.
Casting – The process of pouring resin and leaving to cure.
Curing – This is the name given to the setting of resin
Curing time – The time it takes for resin to set. This will all depend on the amount of resin you are using but most pieces can take up to 24 hours.
Doming Resin – a colourless resin, to be used with doming hardener, that is primarily used for covering flowers, photographs and leaves. Doming resin is great for magnifying designs.
Epoxy – a solution which, when mixed with a hardener, reacts to set as a strong material.
Hardener – A liquid which, when mixed with resin, forms a chemical reaction that causes the resin to harden. Hardeners are a crucial component in the resin jewellery making process.
Mixing Sticks – Ideal for mixing resin, specific resin mixing sticks are the best thing to use to mix resin as they won’t react with the mixture and can be reused several times.
Mix Ratio – The correct quantity of resin and hardener that are mixed together.
Mould – A silicone form that you pour your resin mixture into, to set.
Thixotropic Resin – A gel resin designed to be specifically used on domed pieces. This is a clear resin that colour can be added to.
Resin Stripper – A chemical solution that can be used to remove cured resin quickly and easily.
Sealing – Sealing is the process in which you seal anything porous so that it does not absorb the resin that it is set in. Clear drying glue is a popular sealant used on paper.
Ready to get started? Now you’re armed with the terminology visit our resin hub for top tips and advice on making jewellery with resin.
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