A timeless tradition of making dreams come true
Joslin’s Jewelry is well known for its outstanding jewelry selections, close-knit customer service, and excellent craftsmanship. Elicia Pfannenstiel – formerly Joslin, Gary and Sarah’s daughter – has been brought up in the family jewelry store and now heads up the custom design side of Joslin’s.
A fairly recent bride herself, Elicia is well acquainted with the professional side of the business, but brings just the right touch of sentimental magic to personally craft perfect custom designs; she is more than delighted to create pieces that make all customers’ dreams come true! Catch the sweet recap of Elicia’s dreamy wedding here!
A recent custom ring Elicia created for a customer
Jewelry casting is a technique Elicia works with frequently to fashion the custom designs, especially rings, requested by clients. Also called “lost wax casting,” jewelry casting is a long-standing traditional way of using plaster molds and wax carvings to develop exquisitely crafted jewelry pieces from molten silver or other metals. The alternative name “lost wax casting” refers to how the original wax form is “lost” during the process.
The jewelry casting process itself is fascinating:
- Carve and Shape Wax – The first step is to carve the jewelry project in wax. Using a large stick of wax, Elicia forms the ring shape and carefully etches in the intricate designs and details. This might be Elicia’s favorite part of the process as she loves using her talents to creatively develop each customer’s unique piece.
- Invest – After Elicia has finished the wax model, she uses special powder to make a plaster that becomes an “invested” mold.
- Kiln Time – The finished plaster mold – with wax model inside – is fired in a kiln overnight; while the plaster hardens during heating, the wax melts out, providing the basis for jewelry casting’s alternative term “lost wax casting.” Once the wax has melted out, the hollow impression of the designed jewelry piece is left inside the cavity in the plaster – creating the final form of the mold.
- Cast – Once Elicia has developed the desired mold, she very carefully pours hot molten metal – silver, for example, into the hollow cavity in the plaster mold.
- Quench – After the metal in the mold has had time to set a bit, Elicia “quenches” the hot metal and plaster mold to cool the whole project. The metal has developed by this time and is perfectly set to the exact image of the initial wax design.
- Polish – Finally to wrap up this nifty process, Elicia smooths away any rough or sharp edges and refines the custom piece with the perfect polish. Finished!
Ready to start designing your own memorable piece? Whether you’re searching for the perfect birthday present, celebrating an anniversary, or dreaming up a tasteful piece for yourself, Elicia can’t wait to use her professional experience and personal touch to make your jewelry dreams come true! Contact Joslin’s today!
