Gyrogami Blog - Precious Metals, Jewelry, Artwork

Making Chain Link Jewelry

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Categories: Instruction and information; Jewelry

Word count/read time: 460 words; 2 minutes

In my shop it starts with buying scrap metal which avoids destructive new mining operations and the associated misery. Next, it gets sorted, melted, and refined. After refining, a small sample is sent for third-party assaying to ensure it is 0.999 bullion quality. This process is repeated as required.

Alloys are precisely prepared to ensure the purity and composition before being melted and poured into ingots. Then they're hammer forged, rolled, and drawn into wire. After being coiled on a mandrel, the coil is saw-cut, the same method exclusively used by any person concerned with quality or professionalism.

Since I do not make butted maille (unwelded rings), every ring is welded or soldered and sanded smooth at the joint, most of which become invisible. Loop-in-loop designs or pieces from my Classic Series need bending, twisting, and forging. Multiple inspections throughout all stages of manufacturing weed out defective rings and questionable welds.

Few clasps can be handmade inexpensively and consistently enough so most people resort to pre-made ones. They're easier and cheaper with dozens of sizes and shapes. Commercial clasps crush creativity. Finished pieces are no longer handmade according to the law (this law is ignored almost entirely so beware).

Tumbling cleans, hardens, burnishes, polishes, and reveals the innate beauty. This lengthy time is broken up into several sessions, the rings receiving additional sanding and inspections between rounds.

Then it's time to document, prepare the literature and paperwork, take pictures, update the website, etc. The presentation case for select pieces is prepared from a plain, unfinished wooden box and emerges a plush, fabric-lined vault. Gift ready? I have not seen its equal!

You won't find $5 earrings or $10 bracelets here. As an example, what would take 10 minutes in butted maille (novelty or fashion accessories) takes five or more hours to weld (jewelry). Just because it's made from silver or gold doesn't mean it's jewelry, either. It must have uncompromising quality everywhere or it is over-priced junk.

I can't say how many times I've scrapped the final product including numerous thousand dollar chains (ouch). It may be the look, texture, or a host of other factors that don't make the grade. Unless a jeweler themselves, people would not notice these almost imperceptible flaws which could be passed off as organic if I was one of those people - but it's not what I do.

As said before, my precious metal jewelry is exclusively made from eco-friendly metals. There are no conflict minerals or unethical practices. No one is exploited. All of everything is done on-site. It is as handmade as it can possibly be. The money stays local, your purchases support a thriving artist, and you have a bona fide piece of heirloom jewelry literally made from the molecular level!

Posted by M: September 4, 2023

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