Materials and methods Jewellery

1 materials , methods

1.1 diamonds
1.2 other gemstones
1.3 metal finishes

materials , methods

in creating jewellery, gemstones, coins, or other precious items used, , typically set precious metals. alloys of every metal known have been encountered in jewellery. bronze, example, common in roman times. modern fine jewellery includes gold, white gold, platinum, palladium, titanium, or silver. contemporary gold jewellery made of alloy of gold, purity of stated in karats, indicated number followed letter k. american gold jewellery must of @ least 10k purity (41.7% pure gold), (though in uk number 9k (37.5% pure gold) , typically found 18k (75% pure gold). higher purity levels less common alloys @ 22 k (91.6% pure gold), , 24 k (99.9% pure gold) being considered soft jewellery use in america , europe. these high purity alloys, however, used across asia, middle east , africa. platinum alloys range 900 (90% pure) 950 (95.0% pure). silver used in jewellery sterling silver, or 92.5% fine silver. in costume jewellery, stainless steel findings used.

bead embroidery design.

other commonly used materials include glass, such fused-glass or enamel; wood, carved or turned; shells , other natural animal substances such bone , ivory; natural clay; polymer clay; hemp , other twines have been used create jewellery has more of natural feel. however, inclusion of lead or lead solder give english assay office (the building gives english jewellery stamp of approval, hallmark) right destroy piece, rare assay office so.

beads used in jewellery. these may made of glass, gemstones, metal, wood, shells, clay , polymer clay. beaded jewellery commonly encompasses necklaces, bracelets, earrings, belts , rings. beads may large or small; smallest type of beads used known seed beads, these beads used woven style of beaded jewellery. use of seed beads embroidery technique seed beads sewn onto fabric backings create broad collar neck pieces , beaded bracelets. bead embroidery, popular type of handwork during victorian era, enjoying renaissance in modern jewellery making. beading, or beadwork, popular in many african , indigenous north american cultures.

silversmiths, goldsmiths, , lapidaries methods include forging, casting, soldering or welding, cutting, carving , cold-joining (using adhesives, staples , rivets assemble parts).

diamonds

diamonds

diamonds first mined in india. pliny may have mentioned them, although there debate exact nature of stone referred adamas; in 2005, australia, botswana, russia , canada ranked among primary sources of gemstone diamond production. there negative consequences of diamond trade in areas. diamonds mined during recent civil wars in angola, ivory coast, sierra leone, , other nations have been labelled blood diamonds when mined in war zone , sold finance insurgency.

the british crown jewels contain cullinan diamond, part of largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found (1905), @ 3,106.75 carats (621.35 g).

now popular in engagement rings, usage dates marriage of maximilian mary of burgundy in 1477.

other gemstones

many precious , semiprecious stones used jewellery. among them are:

amber
amber, ancient organic gemstone, composed of tree resin has hardened on time. stone must @ least 1 million years old classified amber, , amber can 120 million years old.
amethyst
amethyst has historically been prized gemstone in quartz family. treasured purple hue, can range in tone light dark.


spanish emerald , gold pendant @ victoria , albert museum.



emerald
emeralds 1 of 3 main precious gemstones (along rubies , sapphires) , known fine green bluish green colour. have been treasured throughout history, , historians report egyptians mined emerald 3500 bc.
jade
jade commonly associated colour green can come in number of other colours well. jade closely linked asian culture, history, , tradition, , referred stone of heaven.
jasper
jasper gemstone of chalcedony family comes in variety of colours. often, jasper feature unique , interesting patterns within coloured stone. picture jasper type of jasper known colours (often beiges , browns) , swirls in stone’s pattern.
quartz
quartz refers family of crystalline gemstones of various colours , sizes. among well-known types of quartz rose quartz (which has delicate pink colour), , smoky quartz (which comes in variety of shades of translucent brown). number of other gemstones, such amethyst , citrine, part of quartz family. rutilated quartz popular type of quartz containing needle-like inclusions.
ruby
rubies known intense red colour , among highly valued precious gemstones. rubies have been treasured millennia. in sanskrit, word ruby ratnaraj, meaning king of precious stones.
sapphire
the popular form of sapphire blue sapphire, known medium deep blue colour , strong saturation. fancy sapphires of various colours available. in united states, blue sapphire tends popular , affordable of 3 major precious gemstones (emerald, ruby, , sapphire).
turquoise
turquoise found in few places on earth, , world’s largest turquoise producing region southwest united states. turquoise prized attractive colour, intense medium blue or greenish blue, , ancient heritage. turquoise used in great variety of jewellery styles. perhaps closely associated southwest , native american jewellery, used in many sleek, modern styles. turquoise contains matrix of dark brown markings, provides interesting contrast gemstone’s bright blue colour.

some gemstones (like pearls, coral, , amber) classified organic, meaning produced living organisms. others inorganic, meaning composed of , arise minerals.

some gems, example, amethyst, have become less valued methods of extracting , importing them have progressed. man-made gems can serve in place of natural gems, such cubic zirconia, can used in place of diamond.

metal finishes

an example of gold plated jewellery

for platinum, gold, , silver jewellery, there many techniques create finishes. common high-polish, satin/matte, brushed, , hammered. high-polished jewellery common , gives metal highly reflective, shiny look. satin, or matte finish reduces shine , reflection of jewellery, , commonly used accentuate gemstones such diamonds. brushed finishes give jewellery textured , created brushing material (similar sandpaper) against metal, leaving brush strokes . hammered finishes typically created using rounded steel hammer , hammering jewellery give wavy texture.

some jewellery plated give shiny, reflective or achieve desired colour. sterling silver jewellery may plated thin layer of 0.999 fine silver (a process known flashing) or may plated rhodium or gold. base metal costume jewellery may plated silver, gold, or rhodium more attractive finish.