r/jewelrymaking Jul 19 '24

ANNOUNCEMENT Announcement: JewelryMaking has New Moderators! - Lets talk!

132 Upvotes

Hey all!

My name is Muskrat, I have a lot of history in metalworking, primarily as a CNC machinist making aerospace components!

Reddit took over this subreddit due to it being abandoned by it's previous mods for over 4 months - allowing tons of spam and reported content (thousands of items we had to action!). Since, they turned it over to me and it's going to be part of my little group of communities, alongside Metalworking and Machining.


Lets talk about r/JewelryMaking!

I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts about what makes JewelryMaking a unique subreddit when compared to other subreddits on the same topic of jewelry. I've seen a few comments and reports on spam related and promotional submissions, and looking at the currently in-place subreddit rules, self promotion is not allowed outside of the old (and seemingly forgotten) promotion thread. Is this a rule we'd like to keep?

On the topic of rules, this subreddit's focus is on the making/creation process of jewelry, generally individual projects and hand-made work. Should we aim for image posts to all have an in-process image attached?

What changes should we make? And are there any regulars interested in helping out?


Let me know what everyone thinks, and over the next few days we'll update rules and mod tools, and we'll start digging in and steering the sub in the direction it was intended for, instead of being used as a promotional board!


r/jewelrymaking 8h ago

QUESTION Tips on how to photograph jewelry?

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58 Upvotes

Hi! I want to start selling my jewelry, but i am not sure on how to take pictures of my pieces. For example, i took some pics in my garden but im not sure if theyre enough? What do you guys think is appealing for attracting customers, which angles do people want to see, what lighting etc? I feel like rn it is missing something.

All tips and experiences are welcome, thank you!!


r/jewelrymaking 5h ago

PROJECT DISPLAY First time making an 8mm tennis bracelet

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15 Upvotes

I recently finished this 10K gold tennis bracelet, and this was actually my first time working with 8mm stones. Most of the tennis bracelets I’ve made before used stones under 6.5mm, so moving up to 8mm was a fun experiment. The difference was bigger than I expected. The larger stones give the bracelet a much stronger presence on the wrist, but they also make the proportions and construction feel much more important. I spent a lot of time thinking about how the links would work with the larger stones while still keeping the bracelet comfortable and flexible. I’m pretty happy with how it turned out, especially seeing it on the wrist compared with the smaller tennis bracelets I usually make. For those of you who wear or make tennis bracelets: Do you prefer the classic smaller stones, or do you like the bolder look of 8mm stones? :)


r/jewelrymaking 3h ago

PROJECT DISPLAY Have you ever carved a gemstone by hand?

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6 Upvotes

This is a Congo citrine carved into the Las Vegas Golden Knights logo.


r/jewelrymaking 16h ago

PROJECT DISPLAY Flower Bag Charm

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37 Upvotes

r/jewelrymaking 9h ago

QUESTION Can’t nail down quality earrings

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9 Upvotes

Hey guys, I make necklaces and bracelets and I feel like I’ve nailed it down but im struggling with earrings.

The bee earring I bought from a handmade seller like me. Next to it is my earring (the spider one and also the strawberry ones). So I use a jump ring as I can’t open the charm loop with pliers. But because of this the charm moves around a lot and doesn’t face the right way. How did the other creator get the charms original loop directly onto the earring so it doesn’t move around?

Also I find I need charms that have a loop attached as if I use a head pin it twists around.

I also struggle with finding stainless steel. Decent choice for stainless steel silver hoops, but the huggie hoops are harder to find. And gold is hard to find with stainless steel underneath. I want my jewellery to be tarnish resistant. I find if I look on Amazon, Shein etc sometimes it’ll say stainless steel but it tarnishes with in a month.

Any advice would be appreciated.


r/jewelrymaking 9h ago

QUESTION Help Identifying Cord Material

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5 Upvotes

Hello!

I was gifted this necklace a few months ago, and have worn it almost daily since receiving it. The cord has held up beautifully, and as someone with sensory issues, I’m very pleased with the quality and texture of it! I’ve been wanting to ask for help identifying the material of the cord so I can use it for my own art

The ends appear to be burned/melted to finish, and there is slight fraying where the cord rubs against bare ceramic, if that helps! Thank you!


r/jewelrymaking 22h ago

QUESTION how do i make silver spikes like this :)

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58 Upvotes

can not figure out after much googling!


r/jewelrymaking 1d ago

PROJECT DISPLAY MADE MY OWN BEADS Y’ALL

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177 Upvotes

… And it feels so good. I was cleaning out my craft closet and saw my neglected polymer clay. Few hours down a YouTube hole and voila… made some floral “canes” and added simple bales to them. Baked them and put them in a necklace!


r/jewelrymaking 17h ago

PROJECT DISPLAY Vintage inspired cluster ring I recently finished. Looking for feedback on the setting

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12 Upvotes

Recently finished this vintage inspired cluster ring and wanted to get some feedback on the setting. I tried to keep the elongated center stone as the main focus while adding more detail around it with the halo and band.

I’m especially curious how the proportions between the center stone, surrounding halo, and band feel, and whether the overall design looks balanced or a little too busy.


r/jewelrymaking 12h ago

QUESTION what's the downside to making wire wrapped jewellery with stainless steel wire?

4 Upvotes

ive been wanting to make wire wrapped jewellery and make it sort of a hobby. i tried copper and aluminium. they tarnish easily, im looking for a cheap alternative. i wanna make a few bucks out of it to look after my general expenses since im a student


r/jewelrymaking 1d ago

PROJECT DISPLAY Porcelaine and black mother of pearl signet ring

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54 Upvotes

Hello ! Here is a fresh ring from the workbench. I was looking for a way to make a signet with my marbled porcelain rings, I am happy with this first test, I can't wait to do more !


r/jewelrymaking 7h ago

QUESTION Gradients in Gemstones

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1 Upvotes

r/jewelrymaking 7h ago

QUESTION Earring Post Question

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0 Upvotes

Hi! I'm looking for an earring post that is like this- round without a visible loop. It seems like it enters through the side/middle... any leads? I can't seem to find ANYTHING. Thank you in advance!


r/jewelrymaking 9h ago

QUESTION Lots of supplies but new to jewelry making question

0 Upvotes

Hi all, I hope this is not a stupid question but over the past 10 years I’ve always been interested in jewelry making and I’d have very small bouts of making some if I get inspired but now I really want to take it more seriously. I’ve collected and bought SO many jewelry findings, wires, chains, many beads. I’d say 80% of them are cheap —like can tarnish or beads that aren’t crystal or semiprecious stones.

So my question is, should I bother making and selling jewelry with these tarnishable findings or plastic beads? To me it would feel like a waste of effort because it would only last a few wears before they probably trash it :(

But since I’m a beginner I don’t know if I should spend all my money replacing everything with gold filled and expensive stones which can be really pricey for someone just starting out and hasn’t made a name for herself yet.

Sometimes now I just make some for practice and I like the way it looks but I feel like I need to sell it for super cheap (like a few dollars) because the material is cheap. But then I think about how people would buy something from fast fashion for $15…

Hoping for some guidance!


r/jewelrymaking 22h ago

PROJECT DISPLAY 950 Silver & Diamond Inlay in American Borosilicate.

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11 Upvotes

An idea I had recently after carving into this.
Want to see more?


r/jewelrymaking 1d ago

PROJECT DISPLAY Necklace "Unripe Strawberry"

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40 Upvotes

r/jewelrymaking 10h ago

QUESTION Ukiran kupu kupu

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1 Upvotes

Hello everyone I have the latest collection what do you think


r/jewelrymaking 19h ago

PROJECT DISPLAY From concept render to finished piece: Bali-inspired ring with sapphires and lab diamonds in 9K solid white gold.

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4 Upvotes

r/jewelrymaking 1d ago

GUIDE Cast in place pendant.

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92 Upvotes

Carved the setting in green wax. Added prongs in a softer wax. Popped in the Moissanite and then dabbed each wax prong again with my wax pen to "set" them. Then cast the whole thing with a bit of boric acid added to my investment. Burnout was 300,500,750,1100,1400 over 10 hrs.Cast at 1250.

Idk if I saw any discernible difference with the boric. Had to pickle it for 7+ hrs to remove all the firescale behind the stones. Turned out bettet then expected though. Working on finishing now.


r/jewelrymaking 1d ago

QUESTION How would you learn goldsmithing/silversmithing if you were starting from zero today?

19 Upvotes

Hi! I’m currently trying to figure out the best way to get into goldsmithing/silversmithing/jewelry making and would really appreciate some advice from people who actually work in the field.
My long-term goal is to design and make my own jewelry and build my own small brand.

The problem is: I’m basically starting from zero and there seem to be so many different ways into the craft.

I’m based in Vienna and I’m currently looking at options such as:
* a traditional apprenticeship
* formal goldsmithing,silversmithing/jewelry school
* shorter courses + lots of practice on my own
* learning from another goldsmith
* self-teaching
* a private goldsmithing, silversmithing program here in Vienna that costs around €25,000

Before making any big decisions I’m trying to learn as much as possible about how other people got into the profession.
I’d especially love to know:

How did you learn goldsmithing/silversmithing? Did you do a formal education/apprenticeship or did you learn through courses, work experience or on your own?

Looking back, would you choose the same path again?

If you were starting from zero today and your goal was to eventually make and sell your own jewelry, what path would you take?

How important do you think a formal education is compared with simply spending a lot of time at the bench?

And would you personally ever spend around €25,000 on a private goldsmithing/silversmithing program, or do you think that money would be better spent on courses, tools, materials and gaining experience in a workshop?

I’m not looking for a shortcut and I know that becoming genuinely good at the craft takes years. I’m mainly trying to understand which learning path gives you the strongest foundation without spending a huge amount of money unnecessarily.

I’d also really appreciate recommendations for books, YouTube channels, online resources or things I could already start learning/practicing before my first course.

Thank you so much! :)


r/jewelrymaking 13h ago

QUESTION Which is better rough or smooth texture?

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1 Upvotes

r/jewelrymaking 22h ago

PROJECT DISPLAY Advice & Opinions :)

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3 Upvotes

hello jewelry making sub! I’ve been admiring everyone’s work for awhile and y’all are so talented! I’d like to get some advice on my current beading practices. How do you guys connect silk thread to chain so a clasp can be attached? I’ve attached some photos of my most recent makes. I am able to tie the thread onto the chain but I worry it’s not the most reliable way to do it. However, as I primarily use pearls, the silk thread is non-negotiable. Please let me know, thank you so much!


r/jewelrymaking 1d ago

PROJECT DISPLAY Just one pic before the last pass

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12 Upvotes

r/jewelrymaking 20h ago

QUESTION Brainstorming Request/ Advice Please!

2 Upvotes

I have never made jewelry before but I am hoping to make my first piece.

Essentially, I would like to make a piece of jewelry, probably either a ring, bracelet, or earrings that incorporates some handmade beads. I also always wear silver jewelry.

I have ashes from a fire where I burned something related to a traumatic event in my life. I want to somehow use those black ashes as the pigment for a bead/beads. I thought that resin might work for this but I am not sure how difficult it is to work with.

I am also a broke college student so I don’t have the money to pay someone to make this for me, nor the funds to buy some expensive materials.

If anyone has any ideas on:

a) what I could make that would be relatively easy, not terribly expensive, and wouldn’t look stupid

b) how I could feasibly make these beads

c) any inspo pictures, ideas, or advice - it all would be greatly appreciated.

This project means a lot to me but is also a source of stress, so any guidance I can get would be wonderful. Thank you!!