Beginners Silversmithing

1. Beginners Silversmithing Instructor Ivy Reid, Ext. Agent Family and Consumer Sciences

2. Why Make Jewelry From Silver? • Silver possesses qualities similar to gold but enjoys better reflectivity and achieves most brilliant polish of any metal • To make jewelry, pure silver is alloyed with copper for durability • In many companies Sterling Silver (92.5% silver, 7.5% copper) is the standard for silverware

3. Safety Rules • Always wear safety glasses when using the buffer or grinder • Always wear your face mask when using the buffer or grinder • Always wear gloves when using “Black Max”

4. How to Begin Your Silver Jewelry Project STEP ONESTEP TWO STEP THREESTEP FOUR STEP FIVESTEP SIX STEP SEVEN STEP EIGHT

5. Step 1 – Choose Your Design • Study jewelry books • Check out designs when you visit stores that carry jewelry items • Sketch shapes that you like • Decide whether you want to make a ring, necklace, pendant, bracelet, etc.

6. Step 2 – Choose Your Materials • Patterned wire • Sheet silver • Pre-cut silver shapes • Soldering • Findings

7. Step 3 – Prepare Materials • Patterned Wire • Sheet Silver • Pre-cut Silver Shapes • Soldering • Findings

8. Patterned Wire • Cut patterned bracelet wire using wire cutters • Using the grinder, grind edges so they are smooth and will not pick clothing or scratch skin • Buff out any unwanted marks with bobbing compound on the buffing wheel

9. Sheet Silver • Draw your design on paper and cut it out leaving 1/8th inch border • Glue design to the gauge sheet silver you chose • Saw article using slow, steady up and down motion

10. Pre-cut Silver Shapes • Bevel edges • Drill holes if needed • Buff out any unwanted markings with bobbing compound on the buffing wheel

11. Soldering • Choose items to be soldered • Most times these are bezel cups to set stones in • Place a pie tin on the element of a stove • Turn stove on medium • Place solder between items to be soldered and place in the pie tin • Watch for solder to liquefy and run • Remove pie tin and item from heat

12. Findings • Findings are those items that you use to put your jewelry together • These include jump rings, bails, french earring wires, bezel cups, etc. • Most findings are polished and ready to use

13. Step 4 - Stamp You can stamp “Sterling” on your item if you choose. In order to do this: • Place item on a solid flat surface • Place stamp flush against the item • Give the stamp one solid tap NOTE: Lightweight items may be dented on the front side if you are not careful.

14. Step 5 – Oxidize Item • Place a light coating of “Black Max” on the item with the brush provided. • This substance is a chemical so you should wear gloves and a face mask. • Pat the item dry with a paper towel.

15. Step 6 - Polish • Polish using rouge on a buffing wheel • Hold item at a 45 degree angle and apply moderate pressure when polishing • Clean frequently to determine if black marks are oxidation or rouge build-up • Final cleaning should be with ammonia • Pat dry after cleaning and hand polish with a sunshine cloth

16. Step 7 - Shape • Using your hands or padded tools – shape your items into whatever you like • When shaping cuff bracelets shape mostly with your hands to avoid scratching • When using wrapping wire – be careful not to knick the wire with the pliers • Minor knicks and scratches can be buffed out with bobbing compound on the buffing wheel

17. Step 8 - Admire • Place your new jewelry on your person and look in the mirror • Be proud of your newly found silversmithing skills • Smile and admire your new creation!