Cooksongold | Royal Jewelry Blog

Forging is a metalworking technique that has been used for centuries. Traditionally, it has been used to create a whole host of different pieces of equipment, from weapons to architectural infrastructures. But it is also a form of traditional jewellery making, used to make rings, brooches and pendants. Would you like to give this historical method a go? One of the best ways to try it is by starting with a ring. So, discover how to forge a ring, the tools needed for the process and more, below. What does forging a ring mean? In simple terms, ring forging is a type of traditional jewellery making where the metal is heated up and hammered until it forms the desired shape and size of a ring. This includes the process of annealing too, where the metal used is heated up to a specific temperature to make it more malleable and easier to work with. Find out more about this artisan jewellery making technique throughout the blog. Is ring forging still used by jeweller’s today? In traditiona...

Gemstones are a great way to add something extra to your jewellery designs. But if your preferred method of jewellery making is using precious metal clay, you might be wondering, ‘what are the gemstones that can be fired?’. Some stones can become damaged when exposed to high temperatures, which could ruin the work you’ve spent time and effort on. To avoid this happening, use our straightforward guide to get to grips with the gemstones that can and can’t be fired with your precious metal clay designs, below. What stones can be fired with metal clay jewellery? To get you started, we’ll run through some of the best and most versatile gemstones that can be fired with metal clay. One of the easiest options? Cz or synthetic gemstones. Man-made gemstones are perfect for adding a special touch to your work, without the risk of melting, cracking or changing in colour. Fancy giving it a go? Check out our collection of fireable gemstones for clay at Cooksongold. However, if you’d rather use ...

When you’re new to jewellery making, it can be difficult to know where to start. After all, there are so many designs and techniques to choose from. Should you start by making a silver ring? Master the art of beading? Or learn how to work with resin? We’ve got plenty of jewellery making tutorials online for beginners, and we’ve picked a few of our favourites to help you find some quick and easy project inspiration. Whether you want to learn a new technique or create something to give as a gift, there’s a how-to for you. 1. How to make drop earrings This drop earrings tutorial is a great project to get started with when learning to make jewellery. Drop earrings are simple to make and will introduce you to some basic techniques and tools, such as creating pin loops. You’ll be able use these skills to make other, more complex pieces, such as necklaces and bracelets as you build up your jewellery-making repertoire. Ideal for : First-time jewellery makers – you’ll be surprised how qui...

Pear shaped stone jewellery has existed for centuries. Although less common now, settings for pear shaped stones include bezels, prongs, tension and more. Perfect for creating an elegant yet unique look, we’ll show you how to set a pear shaped stone step by step, the tools needed and the best gemstones for the job. Tools needed for pear shaped stone settings Prior to starting your pear shaped stone settings, you’ll need a few key pieces of kit. Here’s what we recommend you stock up on before you get stuck in: Copper sheet. A gemstone . Sanding pads . Dremel and flexible shaft . A cotton buff/mop and rouge . Burr Life . Cup burrs . Jeweller’s saw frame and blades . Half round needle file . Flat hand file . A rawhide mallet . A burnisher . Pitch . Binding wire . Copper wire. Hand torch . Pickling solution . Polymer Clay . A digital slide gauge . Dividers . Steel square . Mitre cutting vice jig . A pusher . The best stones to use for this setting Now you...

Soldering involves permanently joining two pieces of metal together using heat. When soldering pieces of jewellery, or anything at all, it’s important to handle the components with care to avoid causing damage to yourself, and to your surroundings. But what’s the best way to handle materials when soldering? Reverse action tweezers, otherwise known as soldering tweezers or self-locking tweezers, are designed to act as a “third hand” when soldering fiddly pieces. As one of the most popular soldering tools on the market, find out more about soldering tweezers and the best ways to use them below. What are reverse action tweezers? Tweezers are a handy tool used frequently by all jewellers to reduce contact with harsh chemicals, solutions and protect against potential damage to the skin. In particular, reverse action tweezers are ideal for holding small parts when soldering your jewellery designs. Built with a spring-action design that you squeeze to open and release to close, making it...

This is a project perfect for Easter, featured in ‘Make it with Air Dry Clay’ by Fay De Winter Make It with Air-dry Clay by Fay De Winter – 999 A185 and Fimo Air Basic White 500g – 867 271 You will need: Fimo Air Basic White 500g Selection of small bowls Aluminium foil Rolling pin A textured surface e.g. hessian or plastic mesh Knife Watercolour paints Sponge Fimo Gloss Varnish (867 217) Prepare your chosen bowl by covering it in a layer of aluminium foil. Ensure it is wrapped firmly over the rim to keep it in place. Roll out the clay onto an easy clean surface (vinyl tablecloth, plastic sheet etc.) to approx. 5mm thickness for a small bowl and up to 10mm for a larger bowl. Lay the textured fabric over the top of the clay sheet and roll over it evenly and firmly with a rolling pin (I used a hessian shopping bag). Place a bowl upside down onto the clay sheet and cut round it with a knife. Clean up the edge of the circle with a knife and a damp sponge. Careful...

Chasing and repoussé has been used by jewellers from as early as the ancient civilisations in the Bronze Age, and even before. The technique picked up speed all around the world, being used in Ancient Egypt, Greece, India and Pre-Columbian America – and is still a skill sought after by many jewellers today. Although, getting the hang of chasing and repoussé can be challenging at first, it’s super rewarding once you’ve mastered it. Find out more about the chasing and repoussé tools and techniques and what it actually is, below. What is repoussé jewellery? If you’re completely new to this technique, you might be wondering; “what is repoussé jewellery?”. Let’s start by decoding its name. Chasing, originates from the French word ‘chasser’ meaning, ‘to chase’ as the technique involves pushing back the metal to make the design protrude forward. In a similar vein, repoussé is another French word meaning ‘push up’, referring to the action of hammering behind the design to bring it forwar...

Jewellery maker Thomas P.Cochran draws inspiration from the beauty of the ocean and his love of the colour blue. View some of his work, read about where he gets his inspiration from and more in this month’s Designer of the Month interview. Let us know a bit about yourself, detailing your background, study and training in the jewellery making industry. A few years ago I returned to my home country, Zimbabwe, from Mauritius, where we have been living for the last 12 years. I spent some time working on the gold mines there and became fascinated with the whole process of mining through to the final refinement of gold. I then went and did a short silversmithing course in South Africa. On returning to Mauritius I started our company – using silver I cast my first piece in sand. From there it has been a steep and fast learning curve – using online courses and tutorials and just a lot of work in the workshop. Tell us about your work – are there any particular materials or techniques that yo...