What I Have Learned About Filigree.

[Dennis]

Here's another way to skin a rabbit, or in this case, mount a pearl.

Intending to make a fancy ring for a summer visitor, I sent off for a large black pearl, but when it arrived I could see that to show it off would require quite delicate metal work. So my mind turned to filigree which had been demonstrated to my weekly class a while back.

Filigree is traditional in several countries around the Mediterranean and also in Russia and South America. Usually it is passed down as a family secret, but my links to the videos below let several cats out of the bag.

Basically it is made out of very thin strip, by rolling or drawing plain or twisted wire which is turned into loose spirals, coaxed into shape and fitted tightly into a decorative frame. Soldering is done with filings of solder, or with pallions.

For forming of the delicate spirals short tweezers are used, or the turns can be made by inserting the tip of a three square needle file into the centre. Once soldered it is brushed vigorously in a bowl of brackish water, or a nearby pond with a brass brush. Elf an safety would have a fit.

This technique is much more difficult than it looks and would take months if not years of practice to achieve a really professional result.
Two of the more revealing videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcVhkq4nxo4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLShQYztBHI

Pearl supplied by Pearlescense. Dennis.

[trialuser]

I could watch stuff like that all day. They make it look so easy, and no fancy tools.

[caroleallen]

Dennis, you've surpassed yourself. I'm not normally a fan of filigree but that is absolutely beautiful. I haven't had a chance to look at the video, but will do so later.

[mizgeorge]

Like that a lot Dennis. I've done some traditional Norwegian filigree (and had a go at a bit of the Russian style) using powder solder. It all takes a very long time though....

[Anna Wales]

Thanks for that link Dennis, as others have said I could watch things like that all day! I've got some very thin wire ordered by mistake so I think I will have a play.

[ShinyLauren]

That's a beautiful ring Dennis.

I don't think I'd have the patience for filligree!

[Dennis]

Tank you all for your kind comments. There are actually two links there, although I did not separate them well, both involving brackish water. So if you want to do filigree, first find your pond.

[Dmitrii]

Good combination and the work looks neat. Not many people do filigree here in UK. I found that a magnet tumbler is the easiest way to polish filigree. How did you go with polishing yours?

[Dennis]

[QUOTE=Dmitrii;57714 How did you go with polishing yours?[/QUOTE]

A wet and soapy brass brush, but no gold fish. Dennis.

[pearlescence]

Glad that pearl found a happy home Dennis. Great and patient work