You are here:
- Home
- Style
- Jewelry Making
- Jewelry Making
Jewelry Making/Questions Answered by Expert orlando cajamarca
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Best way of melting silver bullion | 8/3/2011 |
| Q: Recently I've been investing in silver bullion nuggets. What is the best inexpensive way to melt ... A: I am sorry for my late response, if you have some knowledge of jewelry making all you have to do is ... | |
| Butane Pencil Torch | 3/7/2011 |
| Q: Do you have any info on the Wall Lenk LSP-60 torch? I would use it to solder very small joins such ... A: No need for a new torch set, all you have to do is use a smaller tip on the existing torch, you can ... | |
| recasting yellow gold | 2/16/2011 |
| Q: I wish to use the diamond from my fathers ring and have a new setting designed,using the gold from ... A: It is not that bad at all, I will like to know the design you have and the amount of gold you have ... | |
| acetelyne gas - starting up | 1/10/2011 |
| Q: I recently asked Peter, but you may be able to answer this as well. I learned using acetylene gas ... A: To start I will suggest you not to use Acetylene gas to work with jewelry, it is too dirty and ... | |
| Alexandrite & Silver? | 1/4/2011 |
| Q: Can you tell me how a pendant may have been made if it is unmarked silver. I purchased a pendant ... A: To begin with, Alexandrite is a very rare stone and therefore very expensive, I have not found any ... | |
| jewlery | 12/28/2010 |
| Q: I would like to start mt own business design, making my own brand of jewlery but first can you ... A: Well, if you are interested in learning I will find you a good school in FL. Please contact me at ... | |
| jewlery | 12/23/2010 |
| Q: I would like to start mt own business design, making my own brand of jewlery but first can you ... A: Congratulations! you want to be part of a great trade which will make you lots of money and open ... | |
| adding stones to engagement ring | 11/29/2010 |
| Q: My engagement ring is a past present future ring. I have lost a lot of weight and was told by Kings ... A: First of all there is no "melting" in the process of sizing a ring smaller. There is no problem to ... | |
| jewellery's | 11/23/2010 |
| Q: I want to open jewelery shop ...but i dont have any knowledge regarding that so please can u help ... A: Well, to start you must have some knowledge about gold, silver and diamonds. I am sure there is some ... | |
| Annealing electroplated silver | 11/21/2010 |
| Q: I work with an old photographic process -- the daguerreotype which uses electroplated silver on a ... A: Well, all depends in how big/heavy the item is. If it is a pair of earrings all you need is 2 ... | |
| Annealing electroplated silver | 11/12/2010 |
| Q: I work with an old photographic process -- the daguerreotype which uses electroplated silver on a ... A: Sorry for the delay on my answer, using that kind of alcohol is mnot a problem. Do not make a paste, ... | |
| Plating White Gold | 11/8/2010 |
| Q: I understand that the usual procedure for plating white gold is doing so with rhodium, but what if I ... A: The Rhodium plating is the right decision to gold plate the white gold, there is no such thing as ... | |
| melt gold and add to existing peice | 11/4/2010 |
| Q: my question is this. i recently purchase something i wanted for the longest time. it is a pendent of ... A: No, you can't do it that way but, the jeweler can put a piece on the back of the pendant to make it ... | |
| Gold plating? | 8/31/2010 |
| Q: About 15 years ago my daughter found a dinosaur tooth and I had it mounted for a necklace. The base ... A: It is very easy fix, take it to any Jeweler in the area (small shop with 1 or 2 people operation) ... | |
| Pouring molten metal (Silver or Gold) | 8/24/2010 |
| Q: Several months ago I was in the process of pouring molten silver (3.5oz) from a small scorifier ... A: Glad to know you keep practicing such a great trade. The answer is very simple, the iron mold has ... | |
| sealing jewelry | 8/20/2010 |
| Q: i make jewelry and use a variety of metals. often the silver pieces i wear, while doing nothing to ... A: It is the effect of the acids that our body expels through sweat, I will recommend you to nickel ... | |
| Silver??? | 7/16/2010 |
| Q: Mr. Cajamarca, I a metal sculptor and I am trying for the first time to work with silver. I am ... A: To begin with if the silverware is silver it should have a marking of STERLING or 925 on it, if it ... | |
| Earring replacement | 7/5/2010 |
| Q: One of my favorite earrings fell out tonight. I've had these earrings for years, and do not even ... A: Be at peace, it is not a problem to duplicate this design. There is a lot of people who specialize ... | |
| Ontario Canada jewelry maker | 6/24/2010 |
| Q: Since my mother passed I would like to have her silverware made into jewelry for myself, sisters and ... A: I am very sorry about your Mother pass, I don't know anybody in that area that will have the ... | |
| Paints for metal jewelry | 6/15/2010 |
| Q: Recently I bought a huge lot of vintage jewelry to repair and recycled them. There are fantastic ... A: There is no gold paint that will match the gold plating and stay. There is cold enamel that you ... | |
| White coating on silver after pickling | 6/14/2010 |
| Q: I recently soldered a silver ring. I covered in borax prior to soldering and then used safety ... A: It will not affect to the jewelry in any way but it is very dangerous for your health because it ... | |
| Different types of finishes on silver | 6/2/2010 |
| Q: I am a starter in working with jewelery, I have tried my hand on brass and copper. Now i have ... A: I will be more than happy to help you. You can go to the following links to learn a bit more about ... | |
| Tejido bizantino (trizantino) | 4/29/2010 |
| Q: ¿Como se hace la cadena "trizantina" con argollas,he realizado la bizantina ( la que se hace con ... A: Hola Olga, Gracias por tu pregunta, no es muy complicado y veo que ya tienes experiencia en este ... | |
| Jewlery Making | 4/24/2010 |
| Q: Ok let me start off by saying I don't know if I'm asking the right person this question but I'm not ... A: To start forever 21 sells METAL JEWELRY that is very unsafe to ware. If you feel like you have the ... | |
| jewelry dipped in gold | 4/20/2010 |
| Q: I have a franco chain in silver. 40 inch ,7mm ,about 250+ grams.I wanna take the chain, dip it make ... A: To start silver is not "more expensive" in the stock market, there will be no difference if you dip ... | |
| leather wrap bracelet | 4/9/2010 |
| Q: I would like to add a toggle clasp but unsure how to attach, I hope to leave loose fringe ends also ... A: The choice is yours, remember the toggle clasp has jump rings on each side and in most cases you can ... | |
| annealing epns | 3/29/2010 |
| Q: I have been trying unsuccessfully to anneal epns forks etc to make jewellery items. I have tried ... A: I can see the reason for your disappointment and frustration. Silverware is made either of sterling ... | |
| About Gemology and business! | 3/26/2010 |
| Q: First of all i want to thank you all for this site. My question is not about Jewelry making.But i ... A: There is one school not to say the only one with the accreditation you need in this career, GIA. You ... | |
| annealing epns | 3/25/2010 |
| Q: I have been trying unsuccessfully to anneal epns forks etc to make jewellery items. I have tried ... A: I don't mean to disappoint you but seems like most of the material you are working with is stainless ... | |
| butane torches | 3/21/2010 |
| Q: What type of butane torch would you recommend for soldering jewelry - pendants, rings, bracelets. ... A: Not necessary objections I have to use it but, it does not create/have the strength/power needed ... | |
| Delft clay casting | 3/15/2010 |
| Q: Can you cast basket settings (prong settings) for rings using the Delft system or is only for flat ... A: Yes you can but, you have to cast the prongs in your mold. Silver is a very soft metal to work with ... | |
| black antique | 3/13/2010 |
| Q: Do you have any idea what is the content of black antique? Also can you give me the process of ... A: I am not sure what the content is but it is used for highlighting or obtaining subtle dark ... | |
| how to blacken silver color aluminum chain | 3/9/2010 |
| Q: I want to blacken aluminum chain to achieve an antique look Is it possible to do that? What product ... A: You will need three chemicals. These are: Nitric Acid, Copper Nitrate, and Potassium Permanganate. ... | |
| hallmarks | 2/27/2010 |
| Q: I've found a ring that was owned by my Grandfather. It's a gold band and the hallmarks are "J.H.W" ... A: The initials on the ring might be from the person who gave the ring or received the ring, the number ... | |
| deep orange stone testing 8+ in Aunt ring | 2/24/2010 |
| Q: Am here in St. Aug from up North going thru fav Aunt's things very sad. Found SS art deco heavy ring ... A: I am in Michigan myself, to start there is many different "yellow stones" out there, I would love to ... | |
| gold jewellery making health | 2/23/2010 |
| Q: We have got a gold jewellery workshop next to our house. What are the possible health risk of (1) ... A: Sorry to hear the situation in your area. Here is some of the problems you might face on the fumes ... | |
| chocolate pave earrings | 2/19/2010 |
| Q: marked with 525 by JCR; can you tell me anything about those markings, pleasey A: I doubt 525 has been used as a mark for gold. If so, it would represent a metal of 52.5% gold or ... | |
| gold jewellery making health | 2/19/2010 |
| Q: We have got a gold jewellery workshop next to our house. What are the possible health risk of (1) ... A: Seems like you are talking about a different kind of trade shop, I have been a Jeweler for 32 years ... | |
| diamond necklace | 1/28/2010 |
| Q: i received an email saying that you answered my question, but I am unable to find it. It is not ... A: Well, that is a common problem on tennis bracelets/necklaces, it happens after the pins that hold ... | |
| soldering | 1/27/2010 |
| Q: I do jewelry repairs and have a question about pearls and opals. I worked with a bench jeweler for a ... A: All depends in how heavy the shank is but most commonly we use Kool Jool, it protects jewels from ... | |
| Gold Mark | 1/27/2010 |
| Q: I inherited two gold bands which say 14K, followed by a sideways M from my Grandparents. I cannot ... A: The letter "M" does not show in the regulations as any sort of mark for the quality of gold, I ... | |
| alloying 18k white gold | 1/27/2010 |
| Q: could you please advise me on the correct formula and method for the alloying small amounts (400g) ... A: I am a little confused with your question but I will try my best to respond to your question in the ... | |
| broken damaged gold | 1/19/2010 |
| Q: I have a few peices of gold necklaces and bracelets which are either damaged or the chains are not ... A: Yes it is possible, First you should go to few jewelers before you make a decision. Make sure you ... | |
| Silverplate Platter | 1/14/2010 |
| Q: I have an antique serving platter that seems to be silverplated, but I am a little concerned. It ... A: Nickel silver also called German Silver actually does not contain any silver, it is a copper-nickel ... | |
| heating a sterling silver bell cap | 1/12/2010 |
| Q: I want to form a sterling silver bell cap to a piece of jasper. Can I heat the bell cap using a ... A: Yes, you can heat silver to make it softer and malleable to work on it in an easier way. Before you ... | |
| Silverware bracelets | 1/9/2010 |
| Q: I am a beginner in making bracelets out of silver plated spoons and forks. All is going well ... A: Well, after you do all the work you should use a silicon wheel on the area that has a different ... | |
| problem with liver of sulfur | 1/6/2010 |
| Q: Today I decided to look for a solution for my problem with the liver of sulfur. I´m a silversmith ... A: Hola Flora, If you are from Spain then you must speak Spanish....right? me too. Well, to start ... | |
| setting stones with glue? | 12/24/2009 |
| Q: My quetion is:-should one use a 2 part clear appoxy glue 4 setting stones in say silver or is super ... A: I am a little confused , what kind of stones are you trying to set in silver? what kind of jewelry ... | |
| burnishing | 12/4/2009 |
| Q: What type of finish will walnut shells in a vibratory tumbler put on silver.I've used stainless ... A: Walnut shells will give a shiny finish to silver if you use it wet, if you use it dry it will put a ... | |
| dudas | 12/3/2009 |
| Q: como puedo evitar o reducir la porosidad en la plata y cual es la mejor aleacion pora trabajar 925 ... A: Estimado Juan, Para empezar la porosidad en la plata tiene varios factores pero el principal el el ... | |
| gold assaying | 11/20/2009 |
| Q: im new to this so please bare with me.im new to the website and with the technicalities of gold.i ... A: Well, there is way to do this but needs more than just your ability of buying/selling gold. I will ... | |
| Type glue to use | 11/12/2009 |
| Q: I am crafting glass beaded bowls or other glass items with aluminum wire embellishments. I am ... A: There is few glue types that will fit your needs and are the following, LePage's Metal Epoxy, J-B ... | |
| torchs | 10/30/2009 |
| Q: I live in one apartment and work at home. I came from another Country and there we don't have so ... A: You reminded me of myself in my early years of learning the trade. Well, there is a very safe and ... | |
| Alloying 9ct gold | 10/30/2009 |
| Q: I have a 2oz gold ingot in 24ct gold. My question is, what do i need to add to the 24ct gold when ... A: Percentages by Weight Alloy Gold Silver Copper Zinc Nickel Palladium 9 Yellow ... | |
| ceramic jewellety | 10/29/2009 |
| Q: for the past two years I have been makinig rings, pendants and broaches out of old broken plates by ... A: The type of jewelry you are making requires the same method you are using with the cooper foil, ... | |
| Ruby Beads | 10/25/2009 |
| Q: I purchased some ruby beads to make some necklaces. They are dull - not shiny. They do not glow or ... A: Here is the link for the supplies, use al 4 steps. 4-Step Gemstone Finishing Kit ... | |
| bell caps | 10/25/2009 |
| Q: what are bell caps used for and how are they attached? A: I don't really understand the question but, I will answer to the jewelry making level. Bell caps ... | |
| white oxide for silver | 10/24/2009 |
| Q: I have recently seen silver hydrangea flowers that were patinaed white. The artist claimed to have ... A: No, it is not, I was giving you the simplest way but if you want to get a little dipper in the works ... | |
| Aluminium | 10/24/2009 |
| Q: I cant afford to work with silver and in college we sometimes used aluminium sheet for ... A: The thing about aluminum is that it's highly reactive with oxygen and there is people who reacts to ... | |
| SILVER MELTING | 10/23/2009 |
| Q: I HAVE A PRESSURE INDUCTION CASTING MACHINE, I HAVE BEEN MELTING SILVER ON A GRAPHITE CRUCIBLE WHICH ... A: This is one nice casting machine in the market. I got a better idea about your problem, there is no ... | |
| casting silver | 10/22/2009 |
| Q: I am very mechanical and diversified in my interests so...with creating a detailed silver ... A: The question is a little incomplete because I need to know few things before I finish my answer, 1- ... | |
| SILVER MELTING | 10/22/2009 |
| Q: I HAVE A PRESSURE INDUCTION CASTING MACHINE, I HAVE BEEN MELTING SILVER ON A GRAPHITE CRUCIBLE WHICH ... A: I assume that you are getting porosity and brittleness in your castings. First I would clean the ... | |
| making a mold from an old pendant | 10/21/2009 |
| Q: I would like to duplicate numerous pendants from an old pendant I have. What is the best way to ... A: I assume you have all the equipment needed to make molds and you know how to cut molds as well. If ... | |
| melting temps | 10/19/2009 |
| Q: what are the melting temps of gold and silver A: Your question has been made in a general term, there is a variation of melting points depending on ... | |
| Question regarding ring | 10/19/2009 |
| Q: I'm looking at purchasing a sterling silver square ring with an Amber centre stone surrounded by ... A: The ring looks real on the picture but the details are a little hard to see, however I made some ... | |
| white oxide for silver | 10/18/2009 |
| Q: I have recently seen silver hydrangea flowers that were patinaed white. The artist claimed to have ... A: After I received your question I have tried different ways to do this and the closest way to achieve ... | |
| How to prevent gold becoming brittle from repeated melting | 10/18/2009 |
| Q: Please can you try to help me. A few times, we have had a problem with our gold metal at work. ... A: There is number of reasons for this to happen but, based on your message the mistakes are done by ... | |
| blackening metals | 10/13/2009 |
| Q: Recently returned from Kashgar(China) where bought metal jewelry, probably not silver. some appears ... A: The most common agents used to blacken metal are liver of sulfur and selenium toner a chemical ... | |
| returns of custom made jewelry | 10/11/2009 |
| Q: I had a piece custom made, but the piece is nothing like the design in the photo print I gave the ... A: It is very sad to know that there is "jewelers" who are in the retail more than in the actual ... | |
| Melting down gold jewelery | 10/11/2009 |
| Q: When melting down gold jewelery to make into a new piece can you mix the different ct golds ... A: Yes and no, if you are making a piece that must have a specific karat you should not mix all kind of ... | |
| advice | 10/5/2009 |
| Q: i have just started to design jewelery and want to buy a dremel tool which one to you recomend? i ... A: Hola Katerina, Me imagino hablas español por eso te contesto de esta manera. Un dremmel no te va a ... | |
| Removing heat scaling after soldering | 9/29/2009 |
| Q: I soldered a bar to the base of a sterling silver wire bracelet. The bar was laying flat and the ... A: Well, now it is a different story. If that is the case, at this point the next step will be polish ... | |
| Removing heat scaling after soldering | 9/27/2009 |
| Q: I soldered a bar to the base of a sterling silver wire bracelet. The bar was laying flat and the ... A: No need to panic at all, There is few ways to get rid of it, first I will heat again the bracelet ... | |
| Question regarding ring | 9/17/2009 |
| Q: I'm looking at purchasing a sterling silver square ring with an Amber centre stone surrounded by ... A: 925 is a common marking for silver. MD is not a sign of the age of the ring but the manufacturers ... | |
| Making money clips, and rings | 9/12/2009 |
| Q: In 1980 we made money clips, i believe it was on a stainless steel, or a thin sheet of metal 1/8 th ... A: Potassium fluoride is the flux to soldering stainless steel with brass or silver solder Ordinary ... | |
| heirloom ring question | 9/1/2009 |
| Q: I recently inherited my grandmothers wedding ring and have been trying to find more information ... A: Usually the jewelers or jewelry designers/manufacturers will put their name/ initials/ logo next to ... | |
| How to get a satin finish | 8/4/2009 |
| Q: Could you advise me how to get a nice and durable satin finish on sterling silver? After polishing I ... A: Well, you have done everything in the right way. The problem is not in the finish but in the silver. ... | |
| melting some gold coated roses | 8/3/2009 |
| Q: First let me say I know nothing about smelting,or jewelry making, I don't know the terminology. So, ... A: Well, I have a better idea of what you have in your hands and what you should do, Using the torch ... | |
| melting some gold coated roses | 8/2/2009 |
| Q: First let me say I know nothing about smelting,or jewelry making, I don't know the terminology. So, ... A: Based on the questions, you know a lot about this and the answer is simple. IT IS NOT WORTH FOR YOU ... | |
| soldering | 7/27/2009 |
| Q: can you tell me how to make the firecoat and how to use it i was told you have to dip it in then ... A: It is very simple, 1- In a small glass jar you will put 200ml. of denatured alcohol and 3 spoons of ... | |
| Adding enamel to a gold ring | 7/27/2009 |
| Q: Would it be possible to apply enamel to this ring? I would like it to have a dark blue background. ... A: I would consider doing the heated one that would make the enamel shine like glass, I would also take ... | |
| desoldering rhinestone chain jewelry | 7/25/2009 |
| Q: Cajamarca, I have an old rhinestone chain (4mm settings) belt that has some darkened and ruined ... A: The first step should be to test the kind of metal you are going to work with. To remove the solder ... | |
| Adding enamel to a gold ring | 7/24/2009 |
| Q: Would it be possible to apply enamel to this ring? I would like it to have a dark blue background. ... A: It is a nice ring, yes you can add enamel to it at any time. If you are not a jeweler then you can ... | |
| setting gemstones | 7/18/2009 |
| Q: I have a matched pair of garnets. they are very shallowly cut and I would like to set them in a ... A: 1. Here is one way to include a non-firable gemstone in a metal clay project. Start with bezel wire ... | |
| white silver finish | 7/17/2009 |
| Q: How long does the soft white finish you get after pickling silver last? I am making a ring made of ... A: It will not last that long at all, if you have a silicon wheel you can use it to give the metal the ... | |
| blackened silver | 7/16/2009 |
| Q: I am using a silver chain that is very small (.9mm) and have used Jax blackener to make it as dark ... A: Jax blackener is mostly used to darken aluminum, it was made for that purpose. Silver Black, which ... | |
| mixing gold | 7/14/2009 |
| Q: I have a little gold deferent grades can you mix these also some white some yellow gold just want to ... A: Yes you can, I would not do it if it was a custom job but, if you just want to mix it and use it ... | |
| Silversmith course | 7/7/2009 |
| Q: I am moving to Orlando in the next few weeks and I would love to complete a course in ... A: Congratulations on your decision to move from UK to USA. The 3 Schools that I know in FL. Are very ... | |
| sterling silver forks want to make bracelets | 7/2/2009 |
| Q: I have some sterling silver forks and would like to know how to melt them down or how I can make ... A: I assume you want to make a solid plate like bracelet, if so then you need the following, To start ... | |
| silver leaf | 6/18/2009 |
| Q: I have learn how to use silver clay how can I use it to make a silver leaf with all the little ... A: The picture you sent is of a filigree work not silver clay work but is possible to make it out of ... | |
| dental gold for rings | 6/13/2009 |
| Q: I am wanting to take a blend of 14 kt jewelery, yellow dental gold crowns, and a bit of 10 kt gold, ... A: it is not necessary to use a new crucible, dental gold has the same alloy as regular 14k yellow ... | |
| makers mark | 6/6/2009 |
| Q: who is the manufacturer of a 14k gold ring i own that has NG stamped inside the band i would like ... A: At one time in the USA was a Manufacturing Company from Nigeria that was selling their jewelry to ... | |
| butane torches, soldering irons | 6/5/2009 |
| Q: I would like a professionals opinion on what type of equipment I should purchase. I am seeking to ... A: Not very sure about the question but I will answer to my best, 1- If melting over a kilo of silver I ... | |
| My necklace/ ring | 6/5/2009 |
| Q: My boyfriend got me a herrinbone 36' or 24' gold necklace for X-mas. I thought it was real but as I ... A: To "dip" something in gold solution requires knowledge, practice and equipment. If the jewelry was ... | |
| chinese stirling silver | 5/30/2009 |
| Q: is this silver as good as the english silver or does this one turn you green A: This is a good question, Chinese silver is as good as silver from any Country but the process is ... | |
| Cadena Bizantina | 5/10/2009 |
| Q: De antes de mano le voy a estar agradedcidi si me puede decir como es que se hace el martillado en ... A: Estimado Juan, Felicitaciones! ante todo me imagino que usted es joyero de profesion o esta ... | |
| Mending a brooch that has lost a small circle of mother of pearl. | 5/6/2009 |
| Q: How can I make a perfect circle of mother of pearl, to match the other 3 that are intact ,without ... A: Well, I wish I had a picture of the item and a more elaborated question but based on what you ask ... | |
| dipping jewellery | 5/2/2009 |
| Q: what can use to coat a silver ring which is badly tarnished, are there any silver dips etc; silver ... A: First of all the question is very simple but yet not very clear, if you are a jeweler then do this, ... | |
| Goldsmith charges ( labour charges ) | 4/20/2009 |
| Q: Desr sir, I would like where is there any standard way of calculating labour charges of goldsmith( ... A: Well my dear friend calculating labor charges depends on the piece you are working, metal and stones ... | |
Jewelry Making
Answers by Expert:
orlando cajamarca
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I will answer any question related to jewelry making
Experience
30 years
Education/Credentials
Degree in Metals, GG, JA Certified Master Jeweler
Awards and Honors
Platinum guild International Design Contest, JA Design Contest.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.