Silver casting in the UK

[Paul Townsend]

Hi,

I am currently living in Dubai, but will probably soon be returning to the UK soon. I sell a lot of my work on ETSY, and 99% of my designs are cast from originals made by me.

My questions are,

1. What is the going rate for silver casting in the UK (I will be moving back to Brighton, East Sussex) ?

2. What happens re hall marks, e.g. are the castings sent back to me, for me to then send off to have hallmarked - which I would prefer as 90% of my work is sold outside of the UK (so I am assuming I would not need to have this hallmarked and I could keep my costs down). Or does all cast silver get sent to assay office before it's returned to me

3. How much does it cost to have your silver hallmarked ?

Some background info ....

Here in Dubai I pay a charge to make a mould of my work which is around 5 - 10 pounds (per mould).

Then I pay 50p per gram casting charge. This include the cost of making the wax, and the whole casting process. (but no finishing - that is all done by me)

I buy 1KG of silver at the market rate, and the caster then mixes this with the appropriate ratio of copper (of which I pay market rate for as well) in order to create the casting grain (this process is all included in my 50p per gram casting charge.

Warm Regards Paul Townsend

[Tabby66]

Hi,

I am currently living in Dubai, but will probably soon be returning to the UK soon. I sell a lot of my work on ETSY, and 99% of my designs are cast from originals made by me.

My questions are,

1. What is the going rate for silver casting in the UK (I will be moving back to Brighton, East Sussex) ? Depends on the current silver price, plus casting charge and size of casting could incur oversize charge......, plus mold cutting/spruing, unless you sort these yourself??....

2. What happens re hall marks, e.g. are the castings sent back to me, for me to then send off to have hallmarked - which I would prefer as 90% of my work is sold outside of the UK (so I am assuming I would not need to have this hallmarked and I could keep my costs down). Or does all cast silver get sent to assay office before it's returned to me Castings are returned to you to sort hallmarking

3. How much does it cost to have your silver hallmarked ? Depends on what the piece os...earring, brooch, pendant, etc....also the more you have hallmarked per hall note the cheaper it becomes....

Some background info ....

Here in Dubai I pay a charge to make a mould of my work which is around 5 - 10 pounds (per mould).

Then I pay 50p per gram casting charge. This include the cost of making the wax, and the whole casting process. (but no finishing - that is all done by me)

I buy 1KG of silver at the market rate, and the caster then mixes this with the appropriate ratio of copper (of which I pay market rate for as well) in order to create the casting grain (this process is all included in my 50p per gram casting charge.

Warm Regards Paul Townsend

I sort my own molds too and pay £7-10, depending on size, casting charge is similar, but more for oversize items,.....this includes the wax, casting, etc, but no finishing.....I don't know of any casters in the UK that will allow you to supply your own grain....others may though??

I think my answers may sound a little vague, apologies,....I can try to be more specific if this hasn't been helpful??

[Paul Townsend]

Hi Jill,
Thanks for your reply.

What happens regarding Hallmarks, is that left for you to do once you get the casting back ?
And which company do you use for your casting ?

Thanks Paul

[Goldsmith]

Hallmarking is usually done when the jobs are near finished, as the Assay office wants to see and test any extras used on castings such as links or findings.
I have had a great postal service from Niagara Falls Casting, see; http://www.nf-castings.co.uk/web2013/

James

[Paul Townsend]

Thanks James, how much do they charge ?

[Goldsmith]

[QUOTE=Paul Townsend;71279]Thanks James, how much do they charge ?[/QUOTE

I don't make jewellery so I cannot help you there my cast pieces have been large one offs, I am sure their prices are competitive and probably depend on sizes and amounts required, it costs nothing to contact them and ask.

James

[Tabby66]

Hi Jill,
Thanks for your reply.

What happens regarding Hallmarks, is that left for you to do once you get the casting back ?
And which company do you use for your casting ?

Thanks Paul

I think your query re. hallmarking has already been answered Paul,....I get mine done once finished/cleaned up, the casters send work back to you unhallmarked.

I use Nexgen in Birmingham....very helpful, (ask to speak to Phil).

Best wishes,
Jill

[caroleallen]

Have you ever had your castings finished by Nexgen Jill? I'm just wondering how good the finish is?

[Tabby66]

Have you ever had your castings finished by Nexgen Jill? I'm just wondering how good the finish is?

No I haven't, I have always done my own, that said, some of the numbers involved I am thinking of it,....I've discussed the set-up with Phil and it is very comprehensive....maybe ask if they could do you a test piece or two??.....I'd be interested to hear how you find them!!

[Paul Townsend]

I have sent an Email to Nexgen, Niagara Falls & Wardle.

Only one has replied so far, and they have stated "our pricing structure is based on size of item/difficulty to wax/space taken up on a tree etc". So from what I can understand they just guess a price and say this is what it will be - not very scientific !

I will let you know if I hear back from the other two - (which was my experience before) e.g. no one wanted to talk to me

The other option is, I set up my own casting operation, at least that way I have everything under my own control, and may then even offer my services to others as another revenue stream.

Does anyone else here do their own casting ?

Thanks PT