If you are one of the many people that are now considering having a piece of custom jewelry created then it doesn't hurt to have an understanding of the process by which the jeweler is going to create the piece. If you have already spoken to a jeweler, you may have been a little confused when he showed you rings or other pieces that were made out of wax when you discussed your design ideas with him.

This is because, the first step to casting a piece of jewelry is to make it out of wax. Its called the "lost wax" casting method. After the piece is created out of wax in exact detail, the jeweler will then place it in a container about the size of a small coffee can that is filled with wet plaster and the plaster will be allowed to cure and dry. The dried container of plaster with the wax "piece of jewelry" encased in it is then placed in a hot kiln.

This is done so the wax piece will melt out of the plaster and the result is that a hollow space shaped just like the original wax piece will be left inside the canister of hardened plaster. The jeweler will then place the canister of plaster in a device that spins the plaster canister, so centrifugal force will force molten metal into every crevice and detail in the hollow spot inside of it.

After the metal cast has been allowed some time to cool the plaster will be chipped away to reveal the piece that was originally made from wax, now made out of precious metal. It will be cleaned up and any details will be added to it by carving or welding. Then it will be polished and any stones that are going on it will be added.