New Jewellery making company / Need expert advice

[FoyBrothersLtd]

Firstly, good afternoon, this is my first post on this forum, so please bare with me.

I decided to take the plunge last week and form a new business, Foy Brothers Ltd.

We are very much in our starting days, and as of yet, no successful products.

I'm sure some will call me a fool for starting a business without even testing to see whether I could cast jewellery, but when I dream a dream, I will try my best to make it come true.

I'm hoping for the advice of the quality men and women of this forum, to help me in the early days.

MY FIRST CAST:

I actually managed to cast a ring, that is (sort of) circular in shape, but my 10 attempts since have all failed.. I'm currently working with Sterling Silver grain bought from Cookson Gold, two pictures are attached to this thread, one just after cast, and one with roughly an hours work on it with a Hi-Spec 135w Rotary Tool & attachment.


Here comes the questions!

1) I have failed to cast several times, either half filled moulds, terribly shaped rings, and just downright fails, is there anything that I could be doing wrong? Any common mistakes?
2) Looking at the picture of the worked on product, what can I do it to make it more circular while casting, and should that fail, after. Also, what can I do to make it more shiny, smooth, and wearable?

Lastly, any tips are greatly appreciated, I am very much a newbie in the business

Thank you

Lucas Foy
Foy Brothers Ltd

[Dennis]

Hi Lucas,
You don't explain what equipment you are using, or what pattern you are casting from, so it is not possible to engage with your question.
Also it would be useful and interesting to know what kinds of products you are expecting to make in the long term.
The jewellery retail trade is awash with cheap products made by poorly paid and slave labour in the Far East, often quite attractively designed. You will not be able to compete price wise, so what will you offer that is not already freely available. See Etsy, EBay and Amazon. Dennis

[FoyBrothersLtd]

Hi Dennis

Thank you for taking the time to reply!

I’m sandcasting using Deflt clay and an online bought flask, attempting to recreate my fathers wedding ring in sterling silver.

In the long term, I want to specialise in both signet rings, and curb chains, while both vastly different in terms of customer appeal, they are my favourite pieces of jewellery.

I suppose when comparing my company to cheap paid people from the Far East, you will firstly see passion. I would never sell a product that wasn’t perfection, and that is why I’m determined to cast the perfect ring. I hope to build my brand so that it is something to be desired.

Thank you Dennis.

[enigma]

I am completely puzzled as to why you would start up a jewellery business before ever making a piece of jewellery?

[CJ57]

I didn’t want to be that blunt but it’s a bit cart before horse when you haven’t learnt the basics of jewellery making. Have you thought about taking some courses to get a grounding?
Should you not be aiming to sell products which your customers might like rather than those which are your favourites at least to begin with? I’m not sure any of us were able to make to our own taste when we started, you can have your own style but you need a customer base until your work becomes known
I can’t imagine it’s cost effective to cast your own curb chain when it’s so readily available from any bullion company.
I think Dennis was saying that cheap jewellery from the Far East is cheap because it’s made there but isn’t necessarily badly made, they are just really poorly paid. There is a lot of competition in the market even with training and experience

[Dennis]

I think the consensus is to do a jewellery course at a reputable college, if necessary part time. It should be within most peoples capability, to make a ring using Delft Clay and there are on-line videos to do this, but it is hardly a method of choice for a manufacturing jeweller. You should be using a vacuum casting machine, as advertised on this forum just now. Dennis.

[pearlescence]

This seems to be an extraordinary way to go about things

[Chris Hanson]

Some sound advice here Lucas but don't take it to heart as sometimes those looking in, with experience, see things from a different perspective. I can introduce you to a casting company who will show you the process, one area that you could consider is casting door handles from brass and I know companies who require bespoke handles too.

[Dennis]

A sip of water helps, Wendy.

[pearlescence]

I deleted it Dennis.

[Chris Hanson]

I'm all for constructive criticism but we provide our emails that might be a better contact method for those of us still taking the early steps.