Lost Wax Casting

Lost Wax Casting

The Wax Carving & Casting Process

Each silver and gold piece begins as a solid block of jeweler’s wax. Using hand tools, the wax is carefully carved, shaped, and refined entirely by hand. Once carved, the wax model represents the exact final form of the piece.

When the carving is complete, the wax is cast using the lost wax casting process, an ancient metalworking technique used for thousands of years. The wax piece is encased in a heat-resistant plaster investment which hardens around the wax model. The plaster encasing is then heated and the wax melts away, leaving behind a hollow cavity which is an exact negative of the original carving.

Molten metal (sterling silver, gold) is then poured into this cavity, filling every detail left by the wax. After cooling, the plaster is broken away to reveal the metal piece (called the casting). The casting is then cleaned, refined, polished, and stone-set by hand.

Because the original wax is destroyed during casting, each piece is truly one of a kind. Subtle variations, textures, and organic imperfections are a natural result of this process and are part of the character and individuality of handcrafted jewelry.

This method honors ancient techniques while allowing for completely unique, sculptural designs, transforming a fleeting wax carving into a lasting piece of wearable art.