Jewelry Manufacturing Process

STEP1 - Material Selection

This includes selecting gemstones, diamonds, gold, silver, and other materials based on the design requirements of the piece. We collaborate with top suppliers in China to source the finest quality materials, ensuring the best prices for our customers and delivering top-notch products.

STEP2 - Designing

The second step in the jewelry-making process is creating a design. This can originate from the jewelry designer's own ideas or be based on designs provided by customers. At this stage, the designer conceptualizes the design idea and transforms it into reality through evaluation and analysis.

STEP3 - CAD / CAM

Following the design phase, the next crucial step is the implementation of CAD/CAM technology. This involves the utilization of specialized CAD software, which facilitates both 2D and 3D design capabilities, significantly enhancing the precision and quality of the designs. CAD software not only assists designers in creating detailed jewelry designs but also serves to establish a comprehensive database for manufacturing purposes. Once the initial design concept is finalized by the jewelry designer, it undergoes a seamless transition from paper sketches to digital renderings through CAD software. Additionally, CAM software comes into play, seamlessly automating the machining and manufacturing processes, thereby streamlining production and ensuring consistency in quality.

STEP4 - Model Making

Moving forward, the Model Making stage entails transforming the resin output from CAM into a silver model. This silver model serves as the master design, acting as a template for creating multiple jewelry pieces using rubber molds and the casting process.

STEP5 - Rubber Moulding

The next critical phase is the Rubber Mould stage, essential for the production process. Here, rubber molds play a pivotal role in crafting multiple pieces of jewelry with identical designs. What makes rubber molds indispensable is their ability to safeguard and encapsulate designs, ensuring they remain preserved and can be used for creating replicas in the future. The materials used for making molds range from natural rubber to silicone and metal, with the molding process commonly referred to as 'Vulcanizing'.

STEP6 - Waxing / Wax Tree

The subsequent step in the jewelry manufacturing process is the creation of wax pieces. These wax pieces are formed using rubber molds derived from a silver master. The waxing process involves placing the rubber mold onto a commercial wax injector machine, where it is pressure-injected to produce wax models. These wax models serve as the basis for casting.

Following this, the wax pieces are assembled onto a wax stem in a process known as 'treeing'. Each wax piece is affixed to the stem at an angle of approximately 45 degrees, with lighter items positioned towards the top and heavier ones towards the bottom of the tree.

STEP7 - Casting

Proceeding to the subsequent stage, the jewelry manufacturing process at Tripodjewelry advances to casting, acknowledged as one of the most intricate processes. Casting demands experienced and skilled professionals. This intricate process entails placing the wax tree within a steel flask and subsequently applying a slurry of chemical powder, which solidifies over approximately an hour. The flask is then subjected to heat in an electric furnace, causing the wax to melt and leaving behind a cavity of the tree. Molten metal is then poured into the flasks and allowed to cool. Once cooled, the molten metal is removed, unveiling the jewelry in its cast form.

STEP8 -Grinding

Next in the jewelry manufacturing process comes grinding, a crucial stage for refining the piece. This step involves the use of a polisher to remove any residual material, often referred to as a "nub," left behind from the casting process. These nubs appear where the raw casting is detached from the casting tree. The polisher employs a motorized grinding machine to smooth the surface of the gold jewelry piece. This grinding process culminates in the final polishing, achieved by holding the jewelry against a spinning grinding wheel to achieve the desired smoothness.

STEP9 - Filing / Assembly and Pre-Polishing

Following filing, the next step in the jewelry manufacturing process is assembly. During this stage, excess metal or solder is meticulously removed from the piece using various tools such as files and burrs to achieve a smooth finish. Subsequently, the assembly process commences, involving the joining of two or more components of the same design using soldering or laser techniques.

After assembly, the jewelry undergoes polishing to impart a refined and elegant finish, thereby enhancing its value. The polishing stage comprises three key steps: tumbling, pre-polishing, and ultra-cleaning. It's important to note that jewelry pieces containing diamonds require pre-polishing before the diamonds are set. This precaution is necessary as once the diamonds are set, the areas beneath them cannot be polished without risking the brilliance of the diamonds.

STEP10 - Metal Setting

Metal setting, the tenth stage in jewelry manufacturing, involves attaching gemstones to the jewelry piece. This process is crucial for creating different designs and enhancing the overall appearance of the jewelry. Various types of metal settings are employed, including prong, plate prong, pave, bezel, pressure, bead, flush, invisible, fishtail, miracle plate, and channel settings. These diverse setting techniques allow for creativity and customization, adding allure and uniqueness to each piece of jewelry.

STEP11 - Polishing

The polishing stage is a very important step in jewelry manufacturing, essential for enhancing the shine and overall appearance of the piece. It is performed after the stones have been set. Polishing can be done manually or by machine. Craftsmen utilize various tools for manual polishing, such as soft buff, solid buff, hair buff, single line ball buff, coin buff, platinum polishing rouge, red and green rouges for imparting shine, black lustre for removing casting or filling layers, and white lustre for smoothing out rough surfaces. This meticulous process ensures that the jewelry achieves a flawless finish, captivating the eye with its brilliance.

STEP12 - Rhodium Plating

The penultimate stage of jewelry manufacturing is rhodium plating. This process entails applying rhodium, a sparkling white precious metal known for its ability to enhance resistance against scratches and tarnish, onto the jewelry piece. Rhodium plating is particularly beneficial for yellow gold, as it creates a visually appealing design and pattern. Similarly, it is applied to white gold to enhance its whiteness, as pure white gold may not possess the desired brightness on its own.

STEP13 - Quality Control

The ultimate step in jewelry manufacturing is quality control, which holds equal significance to all other stages. Quality control ensures that the final product aligns with predefined quality standards and meets standard requirements. This process incorporates three main methods: measurement, visual inspection, and mechanical inspection.